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In 'Entering the Sangha', Sangharakshita goes to Buddhafield! A first for him, and a first for the fabulous Buddhafield Festival that takes place each year at the height of the English summer. This talk was given in a tent in Devon - and the sounds of this great Dharma celebration are everywhere around as Sangharakshita marks his entry to the 'Dharma Parlour' with a rolling set of thoughts and reminiscences and encouragements to practice. We move from India at the time of the peaceful revolution of 'untouchable' caste Hindus, to the famed hot-tubs of the festival itself. And we are introduced to the first 'three fetters' from the Buddha's teaching, the breaking of which will set us free. This is classic Sangharakshita - plenty to challenge and plenty to talk about around the fire afterwards.
With an excellent and thoughtful introduction by Kamalashila.
Talk given at the Buddhafield Festival, Devon 2007
| 1. | Kamalashila - Introduction: what is Buddhafield? Links with the founding of the FWBO - the radical exploration of alternatives; Sangharakshita's name - 'protector of the Sangha', 'protected by the Sangha' (4:06) | |
| 2. | Sangharakshita - Sangharakshita's first time at Buddhafield; 'dharmapala' and 'dharma parlour' - the spider and the fly; Buddha, Dharma and Sangha together (3:43) | |
| 3. | What is Buddhism and the Dharma? 'Dhamma-vinaya' - like the ocean, like treasures; the taste that sets you free; levels of meaning of 'freedom' (5:12) | |
| 4. | 'Untouchables' in the Hindu caste system; Dr Ambedkar and the mass conversion to Buddhism; Sangharakshita's time amongst the new Buddhists of India (5:13) | |
| 5. | Feeling free; the hot tubs of Buddhafield; a place where children can be safe and free outdoors (3:36) | |
| 6. | Limitation and restriction - life as a prison; the simile of the cave from Plato's 'Republic' - shadows on the wall (2:48) | |
| 7. | The Buddha's teaching on the 'fetters' (samyojanas); 'sakaya drishti' ('fixed self-view') - identity, limitation and change; a creative attitude to self; transexual change and spiritual change (5:28) | |
| 8. | 'Silavrataparamarsha' (Sanskrit) - 'silabbataparamasa' (Pail) - 'going through the motions'; doing things with your whole heart (2:36) | |
| 9. | 'Vicikiccha' ('sceptical doubt') - not making up your mind; Sangharakshita's positive counterparts to the three fetters - being creative, committed and clear (4:10) |
Total running time: 36:52
