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Nagasiddhi traces the period after the Buddha's going forth: as he masters meditation then turns towards extreme asceticism in his quest to overcome dukkha. Having taken himself to the brink of death, the Buddha-to-be finally realises that he must find his own 'middle way' to liberation. This talk is part of the series In the Footsteps of the Buddha given during a Buddhist Centre Online home retreat, 2021. This magical week-long retreat explores the images, myths and symbols of the Buddha's journey to awakening using dharma talks, meditation, storytelling, puppetry and art. Visit 'In the Footsteps of the Buddha' for more resources from this retreat: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/footsteps *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Amitasuri, a Buddhist Hospital Chaplain, discusses incorporating Dharma into healthcare to support well-being. Topics include practicing compassion in the face of challenges, living a fulfilling life through connection and gratitude, facing illness with wisdom, and exploring intimacy and impermanence in Buddhism.

Sangharakshita, a prominent Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community, dives into the life of Siddhartha Gautama. He discusses how formative experiences with aging and death sparked Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment. The talk challenges listeners to look beyond traditional biographical accounts and reflect on the true essence of the Buddha. Sangharakshita urges a deeper understanding that transcends labels, promoting the idea of recognizing the unconditioned mind through genuine spiritual practice.

Kalyanaprabha shares her heartfelt recollections of Bhante Sangharakshita, dating back to their first meeting in 1984. She infuses humor and depth as she discusses his unique qualities and teachings. Highlighting lessons from various gurus, she reflects on humility and personal accountability through the lens of karma. Engaging stories illustrate the transformative power of positive associations within the Buddhist community. Kalyanaprabha’s anecdotes remind us of the lasting impact of mentorship and connection in our spiritual journeys.

Explore the evolving role of a guru in Buddhism as the speaker reflects on a classic lecture from the 1970s. Discover how a guru is not a leader or parent figure, but rather a guide for spiritual growth. The importance of individuality versus group dynamics is emphasized, along with the necessity of having inspiring figures in our lives. Personal anecdotes showcase how a guru can foster growth without bearing the burdens of emotional support. Unpack the difference between challenges and problems in personal development.

Here is a strong, beautiful talk by Parami from the final day of the Triratna Buddhist Order's International Convention 2013 in India, bringing us back to the task in hand as members of the Order and as Buddhists: engaging with breaking the fetters and weakening the hold that self-clinging exerts upon our minds and our ways of seeing things. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Buddhist authors Sangharakshita and Subhuti launch each other's books in a delightful and humorous talk. They discuss the essence of Buddhism as a vision for personal growth and highlight the transformative teachings of The Dhammapada. The podcast offers profound insights and spiritual wisdom, encouraging listeners to reflect on its verses for enlightenment and inner peace.

Subhadramati explores integration as a process of meeting Mara in her life and in scenes in the life of the Buddha, and the fulfillment of integration during the Buddha's last days of exquisite love. This talk was given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

In this talk Alokadhara explores these beautiful verses which evoke the Buddha, his qualities and the profundity of his teaching. This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2014. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

In an excellent and thorough introduction to the Jataka tales, Akashadevi explains the value of stories of the Buddha's past lives and how they originated. She tells the stories of the Hare in the Moon and the Monkey King. This talk was given at the West London Buddhist Centre, 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud