Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Ethics and Speech: What Am I Trying to Say?

From San Francisco Buddhist Center on Fri, 6 Jun, 2008 - 01:00
Padmatara is an Order member who has been working with ways to bring more awareness to her own communication and is still learning from resistance and obstacles along the way. In this interesting, down to earth talk, she discusses the ethics of speech as well as authenticity, kindness and miscommunication.
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

The Individual, the Group and the Spiritual Community

From San Francisco Buddhist Center on Thu, 5 Jun, 2008 - 01:00
Part of the "What is the Sangha?" series of talks at the SFBC. Can we retain our individuality while practicing with other people? Are we true individuals, or are we rebels, and are the two really that different? Karunadevi explores the dangers and benefits of practicing within a sangha using the Buddha's teaching on the mental fetters and various commentaries by Sangahrakshita.
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Buddha Nature - It's Good, But is it Enough?

From Sheffield Buddhist Centre on Wed, 4 Jun, 2008 - 00:00
This is part of the 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation' series of talks from the community at Taraloka Retreat Centre. So far the series covers the first three chapters of that text : 'Motive', 'Working Basis', and 'Meeting Spritual Friends'. If you haven't come across this text before, then Kulaprabha's talk will give you an overview of all three chapters in the context of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Buddha Nature and what that means for us.

Given on Wesak, May 2008 at Sheffield Buddhist Centre.
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Absorption - After the Enlightenment

From Community Highlights on Sat, 31 May, 2008 - 00:00
How do you get used to being Enlightened? What happened to the Buddha in the weeks after his breakthrough experience? Kamalasila explores these questions in two ways - using the framework of the Western Buddhist Order's system of meditation to shed light on the process that unfolded in the Bodhisattva's mind and body as Enlightenment dawned; and connecting us imaginatively with the symbolism and image of Muchalinda, the great serpent, coiling his body protectively round the meditating Buddha.

Please note, there are a few words missing around the start of this talk.

Talk given on the FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Growing the Spiritual Community

From Community Highlights on Sat, 31 May, 2008 - 00:00
Why might gathering together in large numbers strengthen a spiritual community? Why did the Buddha counsel his monks not to change accepted practice? Do we respect spiritual elders? These are some of the questions asked in this exploration of what it's going to take to maintain the Western Buddhist Order and the FWBO as a vibrant and spiritually prospering community. Taking the Buddha's 'Seven points for the Stability of the Sangha' as his text, Sangharakshita explores their meaning and continuing relevance for 21st century Buddhists.

Please note, variable sound quality throughout.

Given on the FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka in May 2008
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Studying the Dharma of Happiness

From San Francisco Buddhist Center on Tue, 27 May, 2008 - 01:00
This is a talk from the center's series from September 2007, taking a look at the idea of happiness through consideration of the 'positive mental events' in the Abhidharma tradition and subsequent commentaries upon it, including 'Know Your Mind' by Sangharakshita. There's an introduction and conclusion by Suvarnaprabha, and a useful burst of discussion from the audience as Singhashri and Acarasiddhi consider 'faith' ('Shraddha') and how it pertains to their own lives and practices.

N.B. Poor sound quality in the Q & A section.
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

We Know What You've Studied, But What Have You Seen?

From Taraloka Retreat Centre on Fri, 23 May, 2008 - 00:00
This is the second talk in the series 'The Awakening Heart'. It touches on aspects of Sangharakshita's 'system of meditation', and most specifically the area of positive emotion. Kulaprabha brings her own depth of practice to bear on the material, especially her experience of leading through the 'Brahma Vihara' practices...

This is a companion talk to Kulaprabha's 'We Know What You've Studied, But What Have You Seen?'
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

Working Together - the Buddhist Tradition

From Birmingham Buddhist Centre on Wed, 21 May, 2008 - 00:00
This is a very useful and, as ever, entertaining talk by Ratnaprabha on bringing Buddhist values and ideals into the workplace. Much food for thought on how to integrate practice into such a key area of our everyday lives. The talk has a useful potted history of experiments in co-operative working within the FWBO, and we also get Dogen's advice to the monastery cook to chew on. All in all, splendid stuff!
Free Buddhist Audio's picture
Free Buddhist Audio

People of Loving Kindness

From Birmingham Buddhist Centre on Tue, 13 May, 2008 - 00:00
Here's a lovely talk from Padmavajra, given to celebrate Sangha Day in Birmingham. And who better to conjure the spirit of loving kindness as it permeates a community practising together and supporting each other in their great, shared endeavour.

Pages