Free Buddhist Audio
Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabyte: Being Human

By Zac on Thu, 1 Sep, 2022 - 06:00

Vajragupta draws out aspects of aloneness and connectedness of this being human. From the talk Sangha and Commitment given at Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Group, 2016.

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Buddhism and Politics - A Series by Vajragupta

By Free Buddhist Audio on Sat, 24 Jul, 2021 - 15:53

Buddhism and Politics - A Series by Vajragupta

By Free Buddhist Audio on Sat, 24 Jul, 2021 - 15:53

Should Buddhist sanghas and Buddhist Centres get involved in politics or remain politically neutral? When political debate can be so fractious and polarised, how can Buddhists make a helpful contribution?

In this ambitious and challenging series, Vajragupta asks us to reflect on our political views and conditioning, so as to come to a deeper appreciation of what a Buddhist perspective might be.

Stream and download ‘Buddhism and Politics’ by Vajragupta

A series of three talks given for Buddhist Action Month 2021.

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Free Buddhist Audio

FBA Podcast: Sangha As a Gift to the World

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 29 May, 2021 - 06:00

Vajragupta considers how the sangha reaches out into the world, looking at three areas: loving-kindness and common humanity, community and service, and wisdom in an age of information overload.

A talk given on an online weekend retreat with Croydon Buddhist Centre, 2020.

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Windhorse eBook giveaway this week is inconceivable!

By kusaladevi on Thu, 23 Jul, 2020 - 11:35

Windhorse eBook giveaway this week is inconceivable!

By kusaladevi on Thu, 23 Jul, 2020 - 11:35

A Message from Helen at Windhorse Publications:

In this video, Vajragupta explains what he appreciates most about Sangharakshita’s approach to scriptural commentary in The Inconceivable Emancipation.

Welcome to Week 19 of our Free the Dharma eBook giveaway! This week, we’re offering The Inconceivable Emancipation, a commentary by Sangharakshita on the Vimalakīrti-Nirdeśa, an important Mahāyāna sūtra. A print version of this book is included in Volume 16 of The Complete Works of Sangharakshita, Mahāyāna Myths and Stories. 

Mahāyāna Buddhism, to which the Zen and Tibetan traditions are related,...

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Personal Reflections from the Week - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat

By kusaladevi on Fri, 10 Apr, 2020 - 19:21

Personal Reflections from the Week - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat

By kusaladevi on Fri, 10 Apr, 2020 - 19:21

It’s been quite a busy week for me - I started two new jobs in the last three weeks and have had various deadlines this week. But despite that, I have still enjoyed and benefited greatly from the Home Retreat. Thinking about Vajragupta’s reflections has given me a very particular focus to my Dharma practice this week, and helped me...

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Post-Retreat Resources - Sailing the Worldly Winds

By Centre Team on Fri, 10 Apr, 2020 - 17:29

Post-Retreat Resources - Sailing the Worldly Winds

By Centre Team on Fri, 10 Apr, 2020 - 17:29

We hope you have enjoyed Sailing the Worldly Winds with us this week! Whether you have had the time and space to engage in a full retreat, or you have just dipped in and appreciated a few lines of Dharma here and there, we hope the material has been inspiring and helpful while you are spending more time at home.

One of the highlights of the week was the...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Only One Thing Among Many - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 7

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 12:52

Only One Thing Among Many - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 7

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 12:52

“Everything arises in dependence on conditions”. Even if you are relatively new to Buddhism you might be familiar with this concept (often summarised as ‘conditionality’) and even if you are not, it makes sense, in the way that the law of gravity makes sense. But do we live as if we believed that everything arises in dependence on conditions? Or do we secretly believe that if we can sort out the world around us, fix it somehow, nothing bad will...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Letting Go - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 6

By kusaladevi on Wed, 8 Apr, 2020 - 18:22

Letting Go - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 6

By kusaladevi on Wed, 8 Apr, 2020 - 18:22

In today’s reflection Vajragupta encourages us to identify negative thoughts and emotions in meditation and let them go. “Ah yes”, I thought to myself as I read this reflection, “let them go”… but then I realised this phrase has quite a particular meaning for me. I often use this phrase, to myself or when speaking to others - let go - what does it really mean and how can we actually practice it? Vajragupta does explain this when...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Only Possibilities - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 5

By Sadayasihi on Tue, 7 Apr, 2020 - 12:37

Only Possibilities - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 5

By Sadayasihi on Tue, 7 Apr, 2020 - 12:37

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. 


- Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne

This beautiful poem by Rumi popped into my head when I was reflecting on today’s home retreat material, which is about...

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Changing Practice in Times of Crisis - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 4

By kusaladevi on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 12:36

Changing Practice in Times of Crisis - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 4

By kusaladevi on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 12:36

In today’s reflection, Vajragupta suggests we review our practice so far and how we are getting on with Sailing the Worldly Winds. In times of adversity, I am often more able to honestly review my practice - how am I coping with the uncertainty? Based on my response to a crisis, I can often see more clearly which areas of my practice require attention and where I have set up positive conditions and responses within my mind. I...

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