In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Establishment of Taraloka,” Sangharakshita shares his rejoicings of the opening of the new retreat centre for women, Taraloka. This track is from the talk, “Buddhist Dawn in the West,” in which Sangharakshita outlines what led him to found the Triratna [FWBO] Community. In addition to sharing his thoughts about Taraloka, he discusses developments in ordinations conducted by senior Order Members and a new Buddhist magazine.

Talk given in 1986.

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Today’s FBA Podcast is titled “Chetul Sangye Dorje” by Vajratara. A forthright and passionate talk, taking as its starting point the great contemporary Tibetan teacher (sometimes also written ‘Chatral Sangye Dorje’) and his relationship to practice in the Triratna [FWBO] Community via his giving of the Green Tara practice to Sangharakshita. The main focus, however, is the need to practice the Dharma for others as part of a meaningful community, and Vajratara argues her case with a balance of down-to-earth humour and uncompromising vision.

Talk given at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2007

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Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Nearness of Tara,” is an excerpt from the talk, “Contemplating the Qualities of the Tathagatas” by Samantabhadri, given at Taraloka in February, 2010.

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Here’s a forthright and passionate talk, taking as its starting point the great contemporary Tibetan teacher (sometimes also written ‘Chatral Sangye Dorje’) and his relationship to practice in the FWBO via his giving of the Green Tara practice to Sangharakshita. The main focus, however, is the need to practice the Dharma for others as part of a meaningful community, and Vajratara argues her case with a balance of down-to-earth humour and uncompromising vision.

Tracked version includes the following detail:

1. Introduction to Chetul Sangye Dorje; Sangharakshita’s first meeting with him 

2. Early years and practice; a meeting with the Regent of Tibet

3. The meaning of Chetul Sangye Dorje’s name; a meeting with Thomas Merton 

4. A teaching to Paramartha; two mind-training slogans (lohjong); practising for yourself versus practising for others; a quote from Sangharakshita

5. Real practice as love and kindness to others; commentary on mind-training by Jamgon Kontrul; the mantra of the universe; resorting to ‘the magical practice’ of spiritual individualism; going beyond yourself 

6. How to practice for others; Green and White Tara; significance of Tara’s leg position; balance between self-focus and other-focus; the conflict of choice

7. Be friendly even when you can’t be happy; green, nature, and remaining open

8. Practising together, in numbers; all beings as White Tara; drawing strength from communal practice

9. Don’t settle for a comfortable life; White Tara as a young girl; settling down; Chetul Sangye Dorje and the meat-eating teacher’s disciple

10. Conclusion – Tara as embodiment of practice for others; not allowing our Buddhism to become self-indulgence

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