Free Buddhist Audio

Our FBA Podcast this week "The Alternative to God" is a very thought provoking talk by Maitreyabandhu. Does God exist or not? How do you know? A thoughtful and critical look at this age old question in light of the Buddha's teachings. Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre in November 2006.

"The true revolutionary is guided by love." (Che Guevara). In this weeks FBA Podcast, "Finding Freedom," Amalaketu explores freedom through images and stories and the Chappanakopama sutta, the discourse on the simile of the 6 animals, and shows how Buddhism is the way to ultimate liberation.

This week's FBA Podcast is a quietly passionate talk by Jinapriya titled: "What is Enlightenment" – impossible to pin down and utterly transformative. His main theme within the frame of such a big question is the struggle to live our lives in the present moment, especially in the face of pain. We are met with a thoughtful series of reflections, stories and images that all look to open up the gates of perception, and prepare the heart for the biggest change imaginable and possible for all. In that sense, this is a truly optimistic talk. Talk given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2003

This weeks FBA Podcast, "Songs of the Elder Sisters" is one of a series of talks on the Therigatha, the songs or poems of the nuns at the time of the Buddha. Here, Gunasiddhi gently explores the three themes of Going Forth, Friendship and Impermanence through these tender yet powerful stories.

In celebration of the Buddha's Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma, this week's FBA Podcast"The Word of the Buddha" describes the various levels on which Enlightened Consciousness seeks to communicate itself to those who are unenlightened. Talk given in 1972.

Today's FBA Podcast, "The Jewel in the Lotus," by Sraddhagita, is a beautiful down-to-earth exploration of the great central images of Mahayana Buddhism, usually associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshavara. This talk was given in 2007.

Today's FBA Podcast, "A Personal Talk On the Bodhisattva Ideal" is just that – a moving and personal talk, by Vidyamala, given at the 25-year jubilee retreat (of FWBO activities in Stockholm) in a beautiful setting in the archipelago north of Stockholm, Sweden, September 2005.

How do the Bodhisattvas enter the Dharma door of non-duality?Today's FBA Podcast, "The Way of Non-Duality" explores this as one of the main themes in the Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra. Sangharakshita explains some of the dualities listed in the Sutra, gives some examples of his own (with tips on how to transcend them), and concludes with Vimalakirti's 'thunder-like silence'. Talk given in 1979 as part of the series "The Inconceivable Emancipation – Themes from the Vimalakirti Nirdesha."

Ratnaguna brings a fresh, clear-minded look at the Vimalakirti Nirdesa sutra in today's FBA Podcast, where he asks: "Who Is Vimalakirti?" Exploring current writings and the thinking of Sangharakshita he offers a number of possibilities: Vimalakirti is a community of practitioners; he is the bodhisattva principle; the spiritual imperative; and both an inspiration and a rebuke. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2009

In today's FBA Podcast, Sangharakshita goes to Buddhafield! " A first for him, and a first for the fabulous Buddhafield Festival that takes place each year at the height of the English summer. This talk, "Entering the Sangha" was given in a tent in Devon – and the sounds of this great Dharma celebration are everywhere around as Sangharakshita marks his entry to the 'Dharma Parlour' with a rolling set of thoughts and reminiscences and encouragements to practice. We move from India at the time of the peaceful revolution of 'untouchable' caste Hindus, to the famed hot-tubs of the festival itself. And we are introduced to the first 'three fetters' from the Buddha's teaching, the breaking of which will set us free. This is classic Sangharakshita – plenty to challenge and plenty to talk about around the fire afterwards. With an excellent and thoughtful introduction by Kamalashila. Talk given at the Buddhafield Festival, Devon 2007