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The teachings that Ratnaguna explores in this talk are all from the Sutta Nipata – one of the earliest of Buddhist texts. His sub-title is the rather intriguing: ‘The Dharma before Buddhism’. You might say that when it comes to the Sutta Nipata, the Buddha is very clearly telling it like it is. Well, so does Ratnaguna!

In the opening remarks (which, unfortunately, were not recorded) he likens these suttas in their profound scope and effect to the simpicity and purity of Bach’s violin sonatas and cello suites.

Given on the FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008

 

 The Early Teachings of the Buddha [44:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Another excellent talk, from the Buddhafield project. Amaragita takes a look at Buddhist practice in the light of parenting, and has a lot of good things to say about the everyday business of staying with our experience, embracing the hard bits and releasing the joy.

As an added bonus, listen for some lovely singing throughout!

Talk given at the Buddhafield Festival in 2006.

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 Staying at Home, Dancing with the Universe [35:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A lovely talk this month, from the excellent Dhivan. Be prepared for the odd surprise as he considers the relationship between what we think we may know about the Buddha, and what the historical evidence suggests.

As Dhivan sifts the information that’s come down to us, we meet several different versions of a human being as he blurs with the archetypal presence he has also come to represent. Yet whichever manifestation we prefer, more than anything this talk brings us face to face with the rich and moving legacy of a brilliant and truly compassionate individual, changing the world he took part in, stepping out of history “with the walk of a lion, the walk of a swan”.

Talk given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2008

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 What Do We Really Know About the Buddha? [00:26:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Happy Holidays, Everyone! So, this is as close as we could get to a Christmas edition… You know, ‘Buddha Nature - easily confused for ‘incarnation’, all that…

No? Oh, well, what this most definitely is is an absolute cracker of a talk from Sagaramati. A brilliant, scholarly-but-accessible, look at the origins and development of the Tathagatagarbha (Buddha Nature) school of Buddhist thought through the lense of early Buddhist scripture.

Many misunderstandings are addressed as Sagaramati (aka. Professor Robert Morrison), with his usual wry, testy humour, takes us back to basics in considering just how - if at all - Tathagatagarbha doctrine is in harmony with Buddhist tradition. And he surprises himself in the process, evoking a path of practice rooted in kindness and a vision of ever-present possibility for all of us.

Talk given in 2004.

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 Is the Immanent Buddha a Fallacy? [00:52:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ok, buckle up. ‘Padmasambhava’ by Danavira is, as we’ve come to expect from the man, a rollicking ride of a talk. Actually, ‘talk’ doesn’t really do it justice: try incantation, wrong-footing evocation, dramatic monologue and enactment through storytelling, with a good dose of chanting and singing thrown in - some planned, some spontaneous. Sprinkle in a healthy quotient of hilarity and excitement and you’ve pretty much got yourself a knock-out, world-spinning excursion into the magical realism of the Great Guru, the Second Buddha, the Master of Enchantments. Be shaken by this. Be beguiled…

Please note: In this talk Danavira uses and adapts verses from the excellent ‘Self-Liberation Through Seeing With Naked Awareness’ by John Reynolds (Station Hill Press 1989)

Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2001

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 Padmasambhava: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download