In our FBA Dharmabyte today, Viriyalila conjures up the image of the rock tumbler to explore how the practice of sangha creates jewels. But it’s the granite bottomed rivers in NH that gets evoked – in their crystal clarity and beauty may the Bodhicitta arise. “Bodhicitta Arising through Collective Practice,” is one of three short talks given at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, November, 2010 titled “Three Perspectives On the Practice of Spiritual Friendship”.

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To appreciate the significance of the 25th Anniversary of the Triratna’s sole retreat center in America, Nagabodhi takes us back 2500 years to the time of the Buddha through the early years of the movement right up to the present day and onwards into the future.

This week’s FBA Podcast, “Reflections on Aryaloka” is an inspiring and well thought out talk including stories about Sangharakshita and Aryaloka’s early pioneers. Nagabodhi offers one man’s perspective on bringing Buddhism to the West: A story of heroism, gratitude and love for the Dharma.

Talk given at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, New Hampshire USA, August 2010

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Our FBA Dharmabyte today is from the Chair of Aryaloka, Dayalocana. This excerpt “The Heartwood of Aryaloka,” is from the full talk: “The Simile of the Heartwood.” Here, Dayalocana asks: What is the heartwood of Aryaloka? Celebrating 25 years of Dharma practice, Aryaloka is situated on a street named Heartwood Circle, giving her good cause to reflect on The Simile of the Heartwood, from the Majjhima Nikaya.

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Our FBA Dharmabyte today is from the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community, Sangharakshita. In “The Bodhisattva at Play,” he explores how a Bodhisattva’s work is like the play of an elephant. Delightful and fun, this talk was given in 1969 as part of “Aspects of the Bodhisattva Ideal,” and is titled “Masculinity and Femininity in the Spiritual Life.”

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In this week’s FBA Podcast,“Love, Sangha and Amitabha”, Amitasuri introduces us to Amitabha: Buddha of love and compassion, looking at the love and sangha aspects of the red Buddha of the western realm. From this perspective Amitasuri reflects on our relationships and the preciousness of human life. She considers whether, with body speech and mind, there can be any more appropriate response to connecting with ourselves and each other than with love and compassion.

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