An interview with Ratnasuri, aged 90, by Samantabhadri on the retreat ‘Facing Death, Embracing Life’ at Taraloka November 2013. An alert, thoughtful Ratnasuri chats about inspiration, old age, her death and re-birth, Bhante, Taraloka, Amitabha and Vajrayogini.

An interview with Ratnasuri, aged 90, by Samantabhadri on the retreat ‘Facing Death, Embracing Life’ at Taraloka November 2013. An alert, thoughtful Ratnasuri chats about inspiration, old age, her death and re-birth, Bhante, Taraloka, Amitabha and Vajrayogini.

Sunyata can be translated as 'emptiness' or 'insubstantiality', but what does this actually mean? Vadanya breaks down common misconceptions around the Buddhist idea of non-self, exploring Santideva's arguments from the Bodhicaryavatara. Instead of an empty denial of our self, the liberating truth of sunyata is the key to happiness and spiritual growth, together with compassion for all other beings. Part 10 in the 'Path to Awakening' Sangha night series at Sheffield Buddhist Centre. Points for reflection and discussion: Do you ever think of yourself as having an 'immortal, unchanging essence'? Would you benefit from taking your 'self' more or less seriously? Read chapter 9 'The Paramita of Wisdom' of the condensed Bodhicaryavatara (available on the Sangha Night section of the website at the time this talk was uploaded) to accompany this week's talk. Recorded at Sheffield Buddhist Centre 1.10.19

Padmasambhava is a potent symbol of transformation. As part of the London Buddhist Centre's Padmasambhava Day Festival, Maitreyi shows us how evoke the help, energy and vision we need to change our lives.