Free Buddhist Audio

In celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community, (formally the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) we bring you an moving and engaging talk by Subhuti: "Awake to the Cries of the World" the keynote talk from the FWBO celebrations a decade ago. How do we respond to the suffering in the world? Subhuti speaks from his experience of years trying to answer that question – the joys and pitfalls of trying to 'help' as part of a committment to the Bodhisattva Ideal. Complete with an introduction by Padmavajra on Avalokiteshvara. Talk given on FWBO Day, 2001.

Dive into the intriguing world of karma and how our actions shape our lives. Discover the significance of mental states and the distinction between skillful and unskillful deeds. Explore the interplay of free will, personal transformation, and mindfulness. Learn how ethical decision-making fosters self-reflection and compassion in everyday interactions. This enlightening discussion emphasizes practical applications, urging listeners to incorporate these Buddhist insights into their daily lives.

In The Alchemy of Love Padmavajra explores the transformative magic that is Bodhichitta practice. A short introduction to the theme here – setting the context for the series and introducing us to Shantideva, whose treatise on Bodhichitta practice (the Bodhicharyavatara) forms the basis of the wonders to be explored Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004 This talk is part of the series The Alchemy of Love.

In Enlightenment as Experience and as Non-Experience, Sangharakshita exposes a modern disease of frustrated craving for experience. He suggests that spiritual life is better seen in more concrete ways; as growth, work, and duty. Talk given in 1975.

In this talk "This Precious Human Life" Kulaprabha skillfully points out that it's not every human life that is precious. Preciousness comes when our human life has arrived at the unique occasion of the 'Eight Freedoms' and at the right juncture of the 'Ten Endowments' – and when we have a faithful heart. Given at Taraloka Retreat Center, February 2008 this talk is one of a series of talks on the Four Reminders or Four Mind-Turnings inspired by Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation'.

In "The Meaning of Parinirvana", Sangharakshita gives a lecture celebrating the anniversary of the Parinirvana or 'death' of the Buddha. It outlines six basic meditation practices crucial to the attainment of the 'Deathless': Enlightenment. N.B. Last few words missing. Talk given in 1972 by Urgyen Sangharakshita.

In this thoughtful, sympathetic talk, "Becoming a Citizen of the Present", Srivati expounds on the most delicate of tasks in any life – how to live in the present moment. Exploring the subtle aspects of past and present, of memory and expectation, we encounter impermanence as the touchstone of our experience through storytelling (Bahiya of the Bark Garment) and the practice of writing – especially poetry. A lovely set of challenges to become 'citizens of the present' and inhabit properly our own potential for change. Talk given to the Triratna (Western) Buddhist Order National Order Weekend, 2001

In this talk, "Dying to Live" Vidyamala gives a strong account of working with suffering and sorrow in life, and of transforming your experience into one characterized by contentment and a sense of meaning. From her own practice of living with chronic pain comes a sane and unsentimental perspective that affords us all a measure of genuine optimism as we meet the trials of the world: bereavements and losses of all kinds can be met with a kindness and awareness that gently ease the burden, allowing something of peace to enter our lives again. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Women's Convention 2003

In this talk, "Generating Bodhi Mind" Vajratara guides us through the second section of Tsongkhapa's short text on "The Three Principle Aspects of the Path". The verses contain some strong and striking images for what it feels like being caught in Samsara and they come to life in Vajratara's talk. She relates how she nearly came to death herself swept away by a Indonesian river and that was just an ordinary river current, never mind the current of Samsara! At the end of the talk she suggests that of the Bodhicitta practises we might take up – the puja or the various reflections on the suffering of beings – the most useful and effective Bodhichitta practice is the practice of sangha, of spiritual community. Talk given at Taraloka, May 2009.

In this talk, "The Ideal of Universal Awakening" Nagapriya explores the emergence of the Bodhisattva Ideal in the Mahayana tradition. Nagapriya discusses the historical context in which this basic concept developed, its ties to early Buddhist texts, and what the bodhisattva's life entails, on both the mundane and cosmic levels. This is the second talk in a five-part series called Visions of Mahayana Buddhism given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, 2009.