Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Pratitya Samutpada (Conditioned Co-production),” takes us right to the heart of the matter: How the Buddha sees things. Subhuti, with his sharp clarity and clear vision, explores one of the central teachings of the Buddha – that things arise and pass away in dependence upon conditions.

Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order National Order Weekend, Wymondham 2006

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “What is the Spiritual Community,” is an extract from the well-loved talk “The Individual, the Group, and the Spiritual Community” by Sangharakshita. Posing the questions: What is individuality? What is the difference between a group and a spiritual community? How can an ordinary group support our efforts to transcend the group?

Talk given in 1971.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“Just as the mighty ocean has but one taste, the taste of salt, even so the Dharma-vinaya (Buddhism) has but one taste, the taste of Freedom”- The Udana. Today’s FBA Podcast, “The Taste of Freedom: is a brilliant and rousing tour-de-force on transcendental freedom, one of Sangharakshita’s best-loved lectures.

Talk given in 1979.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s FBA Podcast, “Transcending the Human Predicament”, Sangharakshita investigates various symbolic elements in the Parable of the Burning House and we are reminded of the importance of responding to ‘the call of the Divine’. The general significance of the parable is then discussed under the headings of escapism, universalism and sectarianism.

“The White Lotus Sutra is not only a religious classic, but a masterpiece of symbolic spiritual literature.” ~ Sangharakshita

From the classical ground-breaking series: Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra given in 1971.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download