Free Buddhist Audio

In the face of global climate crisis what can we do? How can we change the ways we think and respond to the seemingly insurmountable problems the planet faces? This week's FBA Podcast, by Akuppa, explores the relationships and connections between "Buddhism and Ecology." Akuppa's thoughtful introduction to the worlds of scientific and deep ecology asks us the hard questions and offers some hope for possible answers. Drawing on the work of Joanna Macy and others, he traces positive lessons to be learned from simply observing and engaging with nature's patterns and processes – and invites us all to prepare to be awestruck as a necessary first step. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention, 2005

Inspiration is present because of how we live – it is not something that comes from inside of us or outside of us. This week's FBA Podcast, by Vidhuma, looks at: "Maintaining Inspiration." In his usual humble, poetic, and beautifully spoken way, Vidhuma weaves his way through The Three Refuges, bringing in his favorite American poets and writers, including Walt Whitman, as he explores the theme of the convention: The Heart of the Order. Talk given at the North American Order Convention, 2010

This week's FBA Podcast, "Going for Refuge," by Viveka, is a personable and wide-ranging look at one of the most important aspects of Buddhist practice, whose significance is upheld in every tradition. What is it to look to the 'Three Jewels' as a response to our dissatisfaction? A thoughtful exploration, taking in traditional Dharma approaches and contemporary counter-cultural art forms and ways of living… Talk given at San Francsisco Buddhist Center, 2006

To appreciate the significance of the 25th Anniversary of the Triratna's sole retreat center in America, Nagabodhi takes us back 2500 years to the time of the Buddha through the early years of the movement right up to the present day and onwards into the future. This week's FBA Podcast, "Reflections on Aryaloka" is an inspiring and well thought out talk including stories about Sangharakshita and Aryaloka's early pioneers. Nagabodhi offers one man's perspective on bringing Buddhism to the West: A story of heroism, gratitude and love for the Dharma. Talk given at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, New Hampshire USA, August 2010

In this week's FBA Podcast,"Love, Sangha and Amitabha", Amitasuri introduces us to Amitabha: Buddha of love and compassion, looking at the love and sangha aspects of the red Buddha of the western realm. From this perspective Amitasuri reflects on our relationships and the preciousness of human life. She considers whether, with body speech and mind, there can be any more appropriate response to connecting with ourselves and each other than with love and compassion.

In this week's FBA Podcast "The Tale of Maha-Kassapa" Amoghavajra asks us, what is it that gladdens your heart? Taking us back 2,500 years to the Kingdom of Magadha in Northern India to the birth of a boy called Kassapa, Amoghavajra tells the story of how he grows up happily and as he gets older he becomes less and less worldly. Kassapa marries Bhadda who has equally renunciant tendancies. They both go forth together. Kassapa meets the Buddha, becomes his disciple and gains Enlightenment. He is known as a superb meditator and was foremost among the bhikkus for practising austerities. According to Amoghavajra's story, one of the teachings that the Buddha gave to Kassapa was to attend to whatever gladdens the heart.

Be prepared for the odd surprise in our FBA Podcast today where Dhivan asks: "What Do We Really Know About the Buddha?" A lovely talk here from the excellent Dhivan. As he sifts the information that's come down to us, we meet several different versions of a human being as he blurs with the archetypal presence he has also come to represent. Yet whichever manifestation we prefer, more than anything this talk brings us face to face with the rich and moving legacy of a brilliant and truly compassionate individual, changing the world he took part in, stepping out of history "with the walk of a lion, the walk of a swan." Talk given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2008

Our FBA Podcast today is a wonderfully entertaining talk on Perfect Vision titled: "Welsh Bats, A Vajrasattva Drugs Mule and Spanish Insight." Here Vajrin tells a story of a wide ranging journey, including his early days at the Bristol Buddhist Centre in Long Ashton; his time as a junior doctor working in Africa; travels through India and Tibet; a visit to an Everest base camp and finally to ordination at a retreat centre high in the Spanish sierras. Along the way he manages to acquire a splendid Vajrasattva rupa and overcoming considerable obstacles, brings it home, thereby establishing a life-long association with this powerful bodhisattva of purification.