Hello there! And welcome to freebuddhistaudio

To get the best out of this website, please read on...

Your Language

We have set your language based on your browser language settings or location. To change language use the flag above.

Finding Talks

From any small talks panel you can use the (see all) or (more) link to see a large panel with all talks in this category.

Most large panels allow filtering. For example you can view talks just in your language by using the small flag icon.

Javascript Info

We'd like you to have the best possible experience of our new site, and we noticed you're using a browser that has a feature called Javascript turned off.

We've designed things so Free Buddhist Audio will continue to work for you anyway, but the site will look and work much better if you turn Javascript on. It's very easy! See how to enable JavaScript in your browser for more information.

Your Browser

We'd like you to have the best possible experience of our new site, and we notice you're using an older browser that isn't compatible with some of the latest developments on the internet.

We've designed things so Free Buddhist Audio will continue to work for you, but we invite you to a better experience of the web now and in future if you have a few minutes to upgrade...

Install (or update from an older version) a future-friendly browser:

(See All)

other talks in this theme

Audio | view transcript

The Symbolism of the Cremation Ground and the Celestial Maidens

by Sangharakshita

Are we ready to face our own death, and the total transformation it symbolises? Here Sangharakshita describes the practice of the Ten Stages of the Decomposition of the Corpse, the Mandala of the Eight Cremation Grounds and the Dakinis who dance there.

Talk given in 1971.

This talk is part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.

Tracks (click play to listen)

Play All

	1.	Eastern and Western attitudes towards funerals: an eastern funeral (15:41)
	2.	Padmasambhava and the Dakinis (6:52)
	3.	The symbolism of the cremation ground (6:36)
	4.	Ten stages of the corpse: corpse meditation (5:00)
	5.	Fear, terror, and the heroic virtues: the cremation ground as a symbol of transformation (11:11)
	6.	The Eight Great Cremation Grounds and the Eight Consciousnesses; what are they transformed into? (11:30)
	7.	Three kinds of Dakini (7:42)
	8.	A descripition of Sarvabuddhadakini (5:12)
	9.	Some aspects of the symbolism of the Dakini: i. Red ii. Naked iii. The garland of skulls. (11:07)
	10.	Taking our seat in the cremation ground (6:49)