Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Ambedkar: A True Hero, is excerpted from the talk Radical Buddhism and#8211; Changing the Myth of Society by Vajratara about Dr Ambedkar and his relevance to the Western Buddhists.

In a culture of unprecedented freedom, Vajratara asks how we choose which path to follow? This was the question facing Dr Ambedkar who had a burning issue to solve and#8211; untouchability. Vajratara introduces Dr Ambedkar by showing his methods of solving this problem, and how he came to realise more than political, economic or social action was needed. She also explains how he came to choose Buddhism as a way to radically challenge the myth of Indian society. This leaves the question of what myths in our society do we need to challenge, and how do we challenge them?

Talk given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre in August 2014.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Paradigm Shift Parami revisits Bhanteand#8217;s vision of the New Society, sharing her inspiration and love for the radical and transformative power of the Dharma.

This is the third talk entitled Revisiting the New Society in the series The Order as Practice: Shifting Paradigms.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Ratnaghosha offers some inspirational reflections entitled Seeds of Love from the talk entitled Choosing the Best. This talk explores the basic choice we have in life and goes into how we can cultivate positive emotion. The topics of motivation, faith and karma are also discussed.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Radical Metta, Saravantu reminds us of the radical nature of metta by recalling her own journey towards the Dharma, as well as telling some other illustrative stories.

From the talk entitled A Most Appropriate Response.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte Sangharakshita speaks on: The New Society.

Sangharakshita describes the events of his life that led him to found the Western Buddhist Order, and explains how an individual can join it. He then discusses its relation to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order and introduces the idea of the nucleus of a new society.

Excerpted from the talk The Nucleus of a New Society given in 1976.

This talk is part of the series Buddhism for Today and Tomorrow.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte we offer an excerpt from a talk by Vishvapani entitled: Sacred Mindfulness.

A talk given at the Triratna Buddhist Order November 2014 Menand#8217;s UK and Ireland Area Order Weekend at Adhisthana on 1 November 2014. The theme of the weekend was Mindfulness.

Vishvapani writes: and#8220;Weand#8217;re in the middle of the greatest surge in interest related to Buddhism since the 1960s: the secular mindfulness boom. Iand#8217;ve been deeply involved in Triratna for many years and my current experience as a secular mindfulness trainer has me doing everything from teaching meditation to murderers to helping prepare a report on mindfulness for the UK parliament. In this talk I share my reflections on the strengths and limitations of the secular mindfulness movement and#8211; including how it challenges us to rethink our own teaching and our place in the Buddhist world; and explore the and#8216;sacredand#8217; dimension of mindfulness in Triratna Buddhism.and#8221;

From the talk Secular Mindfulness and Sacred Mindfulness.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte we offer an excerpt from a talk by Vajratara entitled: Friendship Arises from Metta.

To have friends, we need to learn to be a friend. Friendship is an active practice, not to be left to chance. Using the Buddhaand#8217;s advice to Sigalaka, Vajratara gives some practical guidance on how to be a good hearted, supportive, consistent, beneficial and loving friend.

From the talk entitled How To Be A Friend given at Sheffield Buddhist Center, 2011.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte entitled Words and Experience Ratnaghosha talks about Milarepaand#8217;s final exhortation from and#8220;The Shepherdand#8217;s Search for Mindand#8221;, which provides a complete path, effortlessly combining devotion and meditation.

He sees how wrong were the fears and hopes of his own mind. Without arrival, he reaches the place of Buddha; Without seeing, he visions the Dharmakaya; Without effort, he does all things naturally.

From the talk entitled The Goal given on the European Triratna Menand#8217;s Convention at Adhisthana on 19 August 2014.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, At the Heart of the Sangha Dhammamegha speaks about Sangha as Dharma practice and how spiritual community and friendship with the admirable are part of our heritage in Triratna. From the talk Wisdomand#8217;s Gathering: The Difference That Makes a Difference given on the Triratna International Gathering at Adhisthana, 27 August 2017.

The new consciousness that emerges does so in stages. In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, we hear from Maitreyabandhu on the particular kind of effort needed in meditation entitled In the World, Not of the World.

From the talk Meditation Essentials: Stages.