Free Buddhist Audio

Maitrivir-Nagarjuna gives us today's FBA Dharmabyte: Buddhist Revival in India. This excellent talk was recorded for the San Francisco sangha's celebration of the anniversary of the great mass conversion initiated by Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the great leader of the Dalit community of Indian Buddhists. It is a pretty comprehensive overview of why Dr. Ambdekar converted to Buddhism, the significance of the anniversary itself, and Ambedkar's vision of 'prabuddha bharat': Enlightened India, and, in fact

Our FBA Dharmabyte today is a moving remembrance of Dr. Ambedkar. Carrying the Torch of Dr. Ambedkar is excerpted from the talk Remembering Ambedkar by Sangharakshita. This highly evocative and moving account expounds the later years and death of a true Indian hero: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar founded the Movement of mass conversions by ex-'Untouchables' ('Dalits') to Buddhism in order to escape the everyday oppressions and active persecutions they were subject to under the Hindu caste system. T

Our FBA Podcast this week is by Vajratara entitled Dr Ambedkar and His Importance For the Future of Buddhism.

Vajratara argues that Dr Ambedkar is not just relevant for India or for the oppressed, but essential for modern Buddhism all over the world, challenging us to move beyond a comfortable Buddhism that fits neatly into modern consumer society. The talk was given at a retreat at Rivendell for young people comparing the teachings of Dr Ambedkar and Sangharakshita, 2014.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, Make a Difference - Women in India, is excerpted from the talk Triratna Sangha In India and the Work of the India Dharma Trust by Tarahridaya. This talk was given as part of Manchester Buddhist Centre's celebration of Dr Ambedkar's 60th anniversary of his conversion to Buddhism. She provides a personal recount of the transformative nature of the Dharma and the Triratna Buddhist movement witnessed in India.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, Words Count, is excerpted from the talk Words Have the Power to Connect Or Create Walls by Aniruddha, an Indian Order Member working as an NVC (Non-Violent Communication) trainer in India. This talk was given in 2009 on his first visit to the Buddhafield Festival and was a great hit. Learn more about the work of Karuna Trust

In a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the mass conversion to Buddhism of Dr Ambedkar and thousands of his followers, Nagabodhi tells the story of Ambedkar and the role that Sangharakshita was to play in supporting the nascent Buddhist movement of ex-Untouchables.

This week'sFBA Podcast by Nagabodhi, Dr Ambedkar and Sangharakshita, was given at North London Buddhist Centre, 2016.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, Ambedkar: A True Hero, is excerpted from the talk Radical Buddhism - 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 - untouchability. Vajratara introduces Dr Ambedkar by showing his methods of solving this problem, and how he came to realise more than political, eco

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, Paradigm Shift Parami revisits Bhante'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 this week's FBA Podcast Subhuti offers The Significance of Dr Ambedkar In the West.

Speaking during a festival day in 2010 held to celebrate the life of Dr Ambedkar, Subhuti speaks about what significance Dr Ambedkar has outside India.

The main thrust of the talk is a list of three reasons why someone might convert to Buddhism, enumerated by Dr Ambedkar but applied to our situation in the West. Perhaps the most important is Dr Ambedkar's insights into the need for society to be grounded in Ethics that are 'sacred and universal,' obviously he felt the Dhamma was the best expression of that.

The final section of the talk covers the importance of being engaged in wider society; this has topical relevance with the forthcoming General Election. Subhuti encourages to engage with the democratic process and make the Buddhist voice, calling for awareness and ethicality, be heard.

In today'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.