Vajratara provides an inspiring and thorough introduction to Padmasambhava's consort and great disciple, Yeshe Tsogyal. This talk was given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2008. *** 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 an…

Here Ratnaghosha speaks to the power of the dakini, from the talk entitled Demons For Every Occasion, given at the Padmasambhava Day festival at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2013. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddh…

Khemabandhu shares some experiences of his personal encounters with Guru Padmasambhava, the effects that those had on his life, as well as some reflections on Bhante Sangharakshita's teaching on energy. From the talk entitled Padmasambhava: The Lightning Guru of Energy given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2021. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcas…

How do we prepare ourselves to receive teachings? How do we prepare ourselves to meet reality? Maitrisingha explores the importance of humility, courage and spiritual friendship. This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curate…

Jvalamalini introduces the centrality of Going for Refuge through the story of the refusal of Padmasambhava to make obeisance to the King of Tibet. From the talk entitled The Magician Meets the King given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspir…

The Sutra's hero, Vimalakirti, a master of the Bodhisattva's 'Skilful Means', discussed here in terms of the Four Analytical Knowledges, the Four Elements of Conversion, and the Magical Formulae. In this excerpt from the talk Sangharakshita describes the fourth of the Four Analytical Knowledges, that of Courage. From from the talk On Being All Thin…

Ratnaprabha takes us into the realm of story and imagination with a journey to the northern realm. Amoghasiddhi is also connected with Spiritual Rebirth, we hear how this relates to insight, becoming more than we are, and the way in which we draw up courage and creativity to transform ourselves and maybe make a difference in the world. Excerpted fr…

Ksantikara delves us deeper into the mandala of the five Buddhas by. evoking the mystery, power and courage of the deep-green Buddha Amoghasiddhi. Ksantikara extols us to be brave enough to encounter the depths of our being. And from the depths to gather the power to act, to move towards enlightenment and set ourselves free. Given at London Buddhis…

In this talk, Maitrisiddhi explores what mudita - sympathetic joy - is and how important it is to our practice. Excerpted from the talk The Brahma Viharas - Living In the Mandala (11 of 17) from an intensive meditation retreat for mitras held at Taraloka Retreat Centre, 2021. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify …

Sangharakshita gives voice to this poetic Buddhist scripture describing the wonderful Pureland of the Buddha Amitabha. Excerpted from The Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podca…

Kusalasara shares her inspiration arising from reflecting on the Buddha Amitabha, particularly his radiant deep-red glowing color representing a deep, meditative, self-contained energy. Excerpted from the talk A Deeper Longing-Amitabha given at London Buddhist Centre, 2022 on the Winter Retreat, 2022. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Ap…

Padmasagara gives a talk on the Buddha Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and the Bodhisattva vow. He shares three stories, each of them drawing out the boundless radiant love of Amitabha and the inconceivable nature of true compassion. Given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2019, as part of the series Faces of Enlightenment. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist …

Allow life to flourish in the realm of Ratnasambhava. Garavavati explores the symbols, wisdom and transformational power of the yellow Buddha in the southern realm of the Five Buddha Mandala. This talk was given on London Buddhist Centre’s Winter Retreat, 2022. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Go…

Dharmashalin talks about the importance of abundance in our Dharma lives. Excerpted from the talk Living with Abundance given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre 2024. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: O…

Here Vessantara explores how the Dharma has been practiced by people following many different lifestyles – from homeless wanderers to kings and queens in their palaces. If there isn’t one ‘Dharma lifestyle’ then what do all these different ways of living have in common, and how can they all be expressions of the Buddha’s teaching? What are the prin…

Akshobhya: Transforming Hatred Into the Mirror-Like Wisdom Under hatred lies fear, under fear there is compassion. Vajrapriya shares something of the symbolism of Akshobhya and talks about how we bring the mirror-like wisdom into our daily lives. This talk was given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podca…

Paramabandhu kicks off the 2019 London Buddhist Centre Winter retreat with a talk introducing colourful, symbolic world of the Five Buddha Mandala. After introducing the theme of the five Buddha mandala, Paramabandhu goes on to explore the image and symbolism of Akshobhya - the deep blue Buddha of the eastern realm. In this talk Paramabandhu partic…

The Divine Healer, identifiable in Egyptian and Greek myths, also appears in the White Lotus Sutra as both the Medicine Buddha and the Good Physician, in the parable of that name, who leaves his sons to cure themselves. Excerpted from the talk The Archetype of the Divine Healer by Sangharakshita, part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Ma…

A clear and passionate talk, looking at bodhicitta and its twin aspects of love and letting go: wisdom and compassion. Maitrisiddhi explores the role of paradox and how we need to 'hold two necessary ideas together' without polarising between them. Given at Taraloka Retreat Centre as part of the Taraloka & Tiratanaloka online Great Gathering weeken…

Dharmadipa speaks to how sangha is based on a common right view, even more so than kindness. Excerpted from the talk Wisdom and Ignorance, the last of six talks given during the 'Mind in Harmony' retreat at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspir…

Maitrisara explores the second fetter, doubt and indecision which Bhante calls vagueness. The antidote is clarity but also faith. This wide-ranging talk weaves together both theoretical and personal themes and differentiates between wholesome and unhelpful doubt. It explores why we might get stuck in doubt, and how to work with it. The talk draws o…

In his first talk on Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara Padmavajra speaks of Sangharakshita's evocation of the Bodhicitta. He goes on to talk about his discovery of the Bodhicarayavatara and what is known of the life of Shantideva. The main part of the talk is Padmavajra's discussion of some of the verses of the first chapter of the Bodhicaryavatara, es…

Reflection and deep contemplation can bring a whole new dimension to life and reveal truths that would otherwise be left hidden. In this talk, Prajnahridaya explores the 4th 'basis of power' of vimamsa, often translated as 'investigation', by evoking the depth and profundity of some fundamental Buddhist teachings. Excerpted from the talk Deep Conte…

We often talk about meditation as if it happens in our heads, and think we do it from the neck up. But the Sanskrit word citta translates as ‘heart-mind’ — there’s no distinction between what’s above and below the neck. Suryadarshini explores the paradox about how to talk about embodiment, how to cultivate awareness of the elements in our body, and…

Vessantara offers an introduction to the origin of the Bodhicitta in the brahma viharas, moves on from the blue sky to the refuges and an exploration of the view of scientific materialism. This talk was given in 2020 at Adhisthana as part of the series The Bodhicitta Practice which includes many led meditation practices. *** Subscribe to our Free B…

At times in the spiritual life we may considerable energy to overcome obstacles, such as negative emotions, psychological conditionings, rational thinking, and even the sense of 'time' itself. How, when, and where can we break through? Excerpted from the talk entitled Breaking Through into Buddhahood by Sangharakshita given in 1969. *** Subscribe t…

Drawing upon the myths in the life of the Buddha Satyapara explores the role the body plays when we take up Buddhist practice. She describes the Buddha as a child under a rose apple tree being deeply in touch with his surroundings and when calling upon the earth he gains confidence in his practice and overcomes his doubts. With these stories, Satya…

Balajit starts by exploring different perspectives on what is the body and how limited views can limit our practice. He shares his own journey of discovery around what the body is, particularly during his years living at Vajraloka Retreat Centre. The talk then looks at what it might mean for the body to be truly, profoundly and deeply at peace with…

Dhammagita talks about the importance of the body and its sensations in informing and enabling our practice, taking us to the truth, overcoming conditioning and embracing vulnerability. Excerpted from the talk Body of Awakening given at Taraloka Retreat Centre 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Googl…

Vidyamala explores how a Mahayana approach of cultivating Bodhicitta is a brilliant way to 'flip' our habitual self-centredness and cultivate a new default setting of continually thinking of others. Excepted from the talk Citta and Bodhicitta given at Rivendell as part of the series An Exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta 2018. *** Subscribe to ou…