Free Buddhist Audio

In this week's FBA Podcast, "Empty Cave: Reflections on Life, Practice and Enlightenment," Saraha takes us on a journey into the snowy mountains of the Pyrenees where he engaged in a solitary meditation retreat.

He found 'nothing but the sound of a man breathing' and hope and direction through emptiness, beauty and the Buddha's assertion that mindfulness is the way to freedom.

Talk given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, October 2012.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, ""Self, Other and Emptiness," Parami speaks from her heart and wealth of experience. In the full talk, "Out of Compassion for the World," she explores the theme of the Buddha's compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other - it emerged from his realisation of 'Emptiness'.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, ""View Meditation and Action," is an excerpt from the talk "Standing on Emptiness" by Dhammadassin. This lovely, thoughtful exploration of the traditional Buddhist path of ethics, meditation and wisdom, uses poetry and the ideas of contemporary science to evoke the mystery that lies at the heart of practice. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order women’s national Order weekend, August 2004

In this week's FBA Podcast, Padmavajra takes us on an amazing journey into: "The Tiger's Cave." This is the first in an excellent 8-talk sequence by Padmavajra on Zen Buddhism. The series is full of colourful stories and challenging insights from the lives of the great Masters of China and Japan.

This talk introduces the basics and brings us face to face with the Great Emptiness at the heart of practice.

Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004

This talk is part of the series "Tangling Eyebrows with Zen Masters."

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, ""Going Beyond 'Ego'," Jinapriya delivers on the quicksilver nature of the Enlightenment experience. Going beyond fixed 'ego', checking one's ambitions as they always look to a future; and the journey to the moment. From the quietly passionate talk: "What is Enlightenment?" given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2003.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Just Be Friendly," we took a sampling from a very forthright and passionate talk by Vajratara, titled "Chetul Sangye Dorje." She may be talking about the great contemporary Tibetan teacher, but her main focus is on the need to practice the Dharma for others as part of a meaningful community. Vajratara argues her case with a balance of down-to-earth humour and uncompromising vision.

In this week's FBA Podcast, "Magic For the Modern World," Candradasa takes a personal look at aspects of magic in the East and West, considering its place in Buddhist history and practice and also its meeting with Christianity at the time of the Renaissance. What emerges is a picture of how magic defined in various ways can be a powerful metaphor for the everyday work of Buddhist meditation and ethical practice – with the enchantment of love and wisdom fused the only one we need. The Buddha is the Master of Enchantments and his path – a magical training with him – is available to all. The truly marvelous awaits…

Talk given in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 2012. This talk is part of the series "Religion Without God."

Our FBA Dharmabyte, today is a preview for this weekend's full length FBA Podcast. In ""The Dharani: Spell of Protection," Candradasa shares his thoughts on The Rite of Protection. From the talk: "Magic For the Modern World" from the "Religion Without God" series given at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center, 2012.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, ""Compassionate Action," Sangharakshita talks about Chetul Sangyu Dorje, his teacher who gave him the Green Tara sadhana practice. Green Tara the radiant Bodhisattva of compassion, inspiration to many who lead a Buddhist life aspiring to beauty and a steady openness in the face of the mysteries of existence. From the talk given to inaugurate Taraloka's new shrine cabin dedicated to Tara, titled: "On Tara."

In this week's FBA Podcast, "The Blissful Mind," Vajradevi explores bliss, happiness, joy and their relationship to the Buddhist path. What stops us feeling happy more of the time? Is there a difference between freedom of desire and freedom from desire?

Last of a series of four talks entitled 'The Powers of the Mind' given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre in April 2011.