In today’s FBA Dharmabyte we are propelled back through time to 1966 as Sangharakshita challenges us to consider “Being Alive vs. The Deadly Grip of Routine” from the talk The Pattern of Buddhist Life and Work in the series Introducing Buddhism. Opening with a rousing story from India about how Buddhists are greeted in India and moving to consider the dangers of a repetitive lifestyle stealing one’s enthusiasm for a spontaneous and lively spiritual life.

Talk given in 1966.

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Today’s FBA Podcast, is a magical exploration by Vajragupta titled: “We Live In a Beautiful World: Buddhism and Nature”. Sharing his very personal experiences on solitary retreats, Vajragupta asks, “How can human beings live with more love and appreciation of the natural world? What does Buddhism have to offer?”

A talk in a series addressing the relevance of Buddha’s teaching to contemporary issues at the Manchester Buddhist Centre 2011.

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Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Wisdom Hearer” is an extract from the richly rewarding talk The Sound of Reality exploring the place and function of sound in Buddhist practice and history, as well as within Padmavajra’s own spiritual life. Beginning with Hakuin’s verses of Awakening, Padmavajra very beautifully explores how hearing – really hearing – can lead us to Insight.

Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004

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Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is a tribute to Amitabha by Saddhaloka titled: “Verses to Amitabha”. Saddhaloka introduces us to Amitabha, the red Buddha of the West who represents and inspires the highest love of all… by sharing an invocation to Amitabha written by Lama Govinda and published in “The Way of the White Clouds”. This track is from the the fourth talk in a six-part series on the figures on the Wheel of Life titled simply “Amitabha.”

Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, winter retreat, 1997

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Today’s Podcast “Compassionate Koans – The Heart of the Matter does in fact take us to the heart of the matter! An excellent, personal set of reflections by Vijayamala on the relationship between our longing and our pain. The Buddhist tradition posits compassion as the best response, but it isn’t always clear how that works. No answers here – but a few leads and some thoughtful tales from life and from a longstanding practice of meditation.

Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Women’s Convention, 2005

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