Join Tarapalita in this talk about How the Buddha´s community grew. The Buddha was a true individual. Free from everything that we are restricted by and suffer from. Psychologically, socially, emotionally…spiritually. He discovered the causes and sources of his suffering and dissolved them in the profound and sustained depths of awareness. What was left afterwards was the ongoing bliss of Liberation… On his journey towards that Liberated state, he fully commited himself to following his...

Being a Buddhist isn’t all about glory and light. Sooner or later we’ll encounter difficult experiences, even grief and death. How will Buddhism help us then? In this talk, Padmasagara shares a story from the earliest Buddhist texts in which the Buddha helps one of his female followers - Kisagotami - overcome her grief and reach enlightenment.

In this talk, Tarapalita looks at the Story of Angulimala: How did a serial killer, who’s passion was cutting off the fingers of people he’d killed to make a delightful necklace for himself, go on to become a disciple of the Buddha and eventually the patron saint of women in childbirth? And just to say, even if you’re not a serial killer yourself, and you might not be, that’s ok as well, there are plenty of life lessons to be learnt from this story of redemption and transformation with one...

The mind is our most precious asset. Untrained, it can also be the most dangerous thing in this world. Really, it is the only thing we have control over and can take responsibility for, at least potentially. In Buddhism, Consciousness is central. It is at the centre of our perception and therefore conditions how we perceive ourselves and the world. It is so powerful that the Buddha said that "All things are preceded by mind, led by mind and produced by mind". This is why meditation is...

This week, Sanghadarsini gives a talk on one of the central themes of Buddhism: Friendship. In many instances, the Buddha has emphasised the necessity of Friendship and companionship with people who journey on the path together. One of those instances is the story of Meghiya, who was a young monk and one of the Buddha's personal attendants. He was an idealistic young chap and quite driven. He wanted to give it his all, and in his strive towards enlightenment was even prepared to leave the...

In this episode Tarapalita shares his top ten tips for living a spiritual life…starting with No.1- ‘Don’t try and be spiritual’.  Confused? Indeed.

The story goes that the Buddha was enlightened beneath a full moon. The land, the water, the bodhi tree under which he was sitting, as well as the person -his body, heart and mind - were all fully illuminated by and bathed in a reflective, silvery light. He was Enlightened, literally and metaphorically. We celebrate this moment every year on full-moon day in May - which we call 'Buddha Day'. This weekend, as we edge towards the full moon of July, we'll be celebrating 'Dharma Day', the second...

The Buddha’s insight was so profound that words alone can’t express it, and we need images and symbols in multiple colours to evoke it. This week I’ll be developing the theme a little further… Not only can the profound insight of the Buddha be hinted at through visual images, it can also be expressed through sound. The sound of the Buddha. He spoke of it as the beat of his ‘Deathless Drum’. What on earth could that mean!? Or a better question, what would that sound...

Why do so many people love Buddha statues so much in the modern West? You see them everywhere. Many people have Buddha statues and images in their living spaces without knowing anything about Buddhism or even considering themselves Buddhists. In this Episode Tarapalita Explorer this subject further.

Join Tarapalita as he shares his profound experiences from a three-month ordination retreat. In this insightful talk, Tarapalita delves into the practice of walking meditation, reflections on life, and his deep interest in Japanese Buddhism and the teachings of Ajahn Chah. Tarapalita discusses various fears, including fear of loss, discomfort, and insubstantiality, and how these relate to Buddhist teachings on suffering. Tarapalita also emphasizes the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence,...

What does it really mean to live a Buddhist life? This week Dharmasara dives deep into the heart of Buddhist ethics. We'll explore how Buddhist practice translates into everyday actions, challenging misconceptions about passive detachment. Join us as we uncover the vibrant, nuanced world of Buddhist morality and how it shapes a life of value.

Explore the concept of freedom through a Buddhist lens with Dharmasara. This talk delves into the gradual path of self-discovery outlined in Buddhist teachings. Dharmasara examines the idea of liberation from suffering and explores three key areas that can hinder progress: self-attachment, superficial practices, and indecision. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Buddhism, this talk offers insights into core Buddhist principles.

In this episode, Padmasagara delves into the profound wisdom of the Bahiya Sutta. Join us as we explore the story of Bahiya, a revered figure yearning for enlightenment, and his transformative encounter with the Buddha. Padmasagara unpacks the Buddha's revolutionary teaching: to experience the world directly, free from the burden of concepts and labels. We'll discover how Bahiya grasped this truth, achieving liberation in that very moment.

Join us in exploring instances from Siddharta's life before he became enlightened. In this talk we explore what we can learn from his meeting with his first two teachers and how he related to other practices that he tried out on his quest to find the truth.

In this episode Arthaketu talks about a period from Śāntideva's life within the context of the image of The Refuge Tree of the Triratna Buddhist community. Arthaketu explores three stanzas from a classic buddhist text called the Bodhicariyavatara - meaning 'The way of the Bodhisattva'. The first stanza reads: 'Just as a blind man may find by chance a priceless jewel in a heap of refuse, so, somehow, this Bodhi-spirit is hidden even in me.'

In this episode Prasadavati talks about how mindfulness connects theory and practice on the buddhist path.

Feeling stuck in a dusty life? The Buddha has a radical solution... This episode dives into the story of Siddhartha Gotama, the future Buddha, and his dramatic "Going Forth" - leaving his comfortable life to become a homeless wanderer. What is the deeper meaning of this that we can apply to our own lives today? Join us as we explore the concept of "Going Forth" . Can we break free from the things that hold us back and cultivate a life that's "wide open, like the air?" Tune in to find out...

This episode dives into the ancient practice of Metta Bhavana, also known as loving-kindness meditation. Our speaker, Padmasagara, takes you on a personal journey, from a meticulously planned life to a one-way ticket to Venezuela, all while exploring the transformative power of Metta. Discover how Metta transcends boundaries and divisions, fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us. Is Metta just a concept? Or can it truly be a force for harmony in a divided world?...

Join us on a profound journey through the life and teachings of Sangharakshita, as Padmavajra, a senior order member of the Triratna Buddhist Community, shares intimate reflections on his revered teacher. In this captivating talk, Padmavajra delves into his personal encounters with Sangharakshita, dating back to the vibrant era of the 1970s. With sincerity and emotion, he recounts the magnetic pull of Sangharakshita's lectures, books, and charismatic presence that left an indelible mark on...

Join us on a profound journey into the heart of Buddhist practice as Padmavajra explores the fundamental role of energy in spiritual growth. In this fascinating episode, Padmavajra delves into the essence of five essential energies, or virya, that practitioners cultivate to enrich their lives and benefit others. From Ever-Ready Energy, which instills the readiness to contribute positively at any moment, to Insatiable Energy, characterized by an unending thirst for growth and spiritual...

In this thought-provoking talk, Padmasagara, shares three impactful stories that have significantly influenced his life and quest for meaning. Beginning with "The NeverEnding Story," a tale of a boy's escape into a fantasy world, the speaker resonates with the desire for adventure beyond the ordinary. Transitioning to the Vimalakirti Sutra, a Buddhist text featuring a sick bodhisattva imparting wisdom, Padmasagara explores the significance of imagination and the delicate balance between...

In this Episode, Padmasagara explores the concluding line of a famous zen saying: "Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” Drawing from a 9th-century Japanese monk, Kukai's poem, Padmasagara delves into themes of impermanence and beauty expressed through vivid nature and human imagery. Linking the verses to meditation, he discusses its role in clarifying perception by transcending thought worlds and embracing the truth of impermanence. He encourages us to embark on a shared...

We began our journey by contemplating the first line of this famous saying from the Zen tradition: “A special transmission outside the scriptures. No dependence on words. Direct pointing to the mind. Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” In this Episode, we explore the third week of the 'Essence of Meditation' course, drawing inspiration from the third line of a Zen saying : "Direct pointing to the heart-mind."  Join us as we navigate the intricacies of metta...

We began our journey by contemplating the first line of this famous saying from the Zen tradition: “A special transmission outside the scriptures. No dependence on words. Direct pointing to the mind. Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” In this Episode, we explore the third week of the 'Essence of Meditation' course, drawing inspiration from the third line of a Zen saying : "Direct pointing to the heart-mind."  Join us as we navigate the intricacies of metta...