Don’t listen to this talk if you want a straightforward explanation of what a dakini may or may not be. In fact, what is prompting you to listen to a talk on the dakini in the first place? Vidyadaka talks around the theme in this rousing exploration of the dakini, the gestalt and the artist.

In the tantric tradition, the yidam - the Buddha or Bodhisattva upon which one meditates intently - is the "guhya" or secret Dharma refuge because they embody the entire Dharma. For us, as modern western Buddhists following Sangharakshita's particular presentation of the Dharma, is it appropriate that we see the Dharma refuge in the same terms? In this talk, Padmasagara argues that we need a broader approach to Going for Refuge to the Dharma which includes the strong foundations of a clear conceptual understanding of the Buddha's teaching, while also including a "guhya" or secret dimension derived from the three things given to us by our preceptor at the time of the private ordination ceremony: the refuges and precepts, the mantra and visualization practice of a particular Buddha or Bodhisattva, and a Dharma name.

Dharmashalin is in conversation with Sagaramati at the Birmingham sangha night, exploring topics from Sagaramati's introduction to the dharma life to his academic research surrounding the relationship between Buddhism and Neitchze.