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FBA Podcast: The Gap and the Buddha Mandala

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 24 Apr, 2021 - 06:00

Bhadra offers this insightful and thorough exploration of the Five Buddha Mandala through the lens of the gap between feeling and craving. Here we are able to transform the mental poisons (illustrated by the six realms) into the Wisdom of the each of the Five Buddhas.

Talk given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2017, the last in a series on the Wheel of Life.

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Free Buddhist Audio

FBA Podcast: Sitting At the Centre of the Mandala

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 10 Apr, 2021 - 06:00

Once again at the Centre of the Mandala, we meet Vairocana. How do we balance the teachings of effort and openness? One way is through the image of the Sun and relaxed being, the practice of the Dharma is simply to come back. Yet, of course, this requires effort.

Another question is the balance between practical and mythical approaches: Can we hold both at once? What do we give significance to? What do we make real ? Can we open to a world...

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Free Buddhist Audio

FBA Podcast: The Lord of the Midnight Sun

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 3 Apr, 2021 - 06:00

Vaddhaka can usually be relied on to give a pretty great talk - and this is no exception. Here we have a real treat - a terrific, energetic exploration of the green Buddha of the north: Amoghasiddhi (Dundubishvara), the Unobstructed One. This is kind of a multi-media affair - listen for the 13th Century Spanish processional music in honour of the Virgin, and a blast of Sibelius too! Marvellous.

Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, Winter Retreat, 2001.

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Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: The Light of Compassion

By Sadayasihi on Mon, 22 Mar, 2021 - 05:00

Padmasagara draws out the boundless radiant love of Amitabha and the inconceivable nature of true compassion.

Excerpted from the talk Amitabha’s Infinite Light given as part of the series Faces of Enlightenment at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2019.

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Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: Facets of Generosity

By Sadayasihi on Mon, 15 Mar, 2021 - 05:00

Ratnasambhava, the ‘Jewel-Born’ Buddha of the Southern realm, exemplifies generosity and abundance. In this talk Moksatara expands upon this theme, looking at how living with an attitude of generosity can create community, bestow abundance and lead to a sense of fearlessness.

Excerpted from the talk entitled The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre (2019) as part of the series Faces of Enlightenment.

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Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: Cultivating Mirror-Like Wisdom

By Sadayasihi on Mon, 8 Mar, 2021 - 06:00

Bodhilila introduces the characteristic wisdom of the blue Buddha of the Eastern quarter of the mandala, a wisdom that undistortedly reflects experience just as it is.

Excerpted from the talk entitled Akshobhya and the Mirror-Like Wisdom given at West London Buddhist Centre, 2018.

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...

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Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: The Characteristics of the Five Buddhas

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 4 Mar, 2021 - 06:00

Taranita discusses the Five Buddhas of the Mandala, their characteristics, how their wisdom may manifest itself in everyday life, and how their features may benefit the Western Buddhist practitioner.

From the talk entitled The Five Buddha Mandala given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2007.

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...

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Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: Introducing the Five Buddha Mandala

By Sadayasihi on Mon, 1 Mar, 2021 - 06:00

The Tantras (special scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism) frequently refer to mandalas, circles of symbolic forms. Sangharakshita describes the mandala of the five Buddhas, its use as a symbol of psychological and spiritual integration, and the meaning of its sexual symbolism.

From the talk entitled The Mandala: Tantric Symbol of Integration, part of the series Aspects of Buddhist Psychology given in 1967.

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Free Buddhist Audio

FBA Podcast: Entrance Into the Heart of the Mandala

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 20 Jun, 2020 - 14:00

Visuddhimati explores how we really need to know ourselves deeply and experientially to allow us to let go into the deep mystery at the heart of the mandala. She shares her reflections on initiation, spiritual death and rebirth, inspired by a Rilke poem. Using the structure of the Rilke poem she explores how engaging with images and allowing them to unfold their meaning within us, allows us to let go into wisdom.

The mandala symbolism is...

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Reflections from Ratnavandana - Being Divine Online Home Retreat: Day 7

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 30 Apr, 2020 - 09:05

As we come towards the end of our Being Divine Online home retreat it is my great pleasure today to share with you some further reflections from Ratnavandana on this theme.

She beautifully evokes where and how she is currently spending this time of lockdown in rural Wales, UK, and shares how the Brahma Viharas have been helping her at this strange and difficult time. What she gives us is her deep confidence in these practices and a rich tapestry...

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