My experience of FBA is that without it, I wouldn't have the chance to hear others in the Triratna community teach. It would be harder to keep going without that inspiration and sense of connection.
Suvarnagarbha, Cambridge, UK
When I think about FBA, the inexhaustible lamps from the Vimalakirti Nirdesa comes to mind. With the internet, the capacity for lamps to light other lamps is inexhaustible. It never needs to stop...
Jinamitra, Welwyn, UK
These recordings have been a key part of my life, especially as I don't live near a Buddhist Centre. With its excellent organisation and fast delivery, FBA is a unique resource. A pleasure to donate.
Mary, FBA Team
I've gained so much from listening to the talks on FBA that it's truly a pleasure to offer what I can in return to support the work. I can find a talk on pretty much any subject that interests me!
Padmatara, San Francisco, USA
Being in San Francisco, I value the easy access to talks from so many different people in the Triratna Buddhist Order - not just the famous ones! It makes me feel connected. A bit like Pirate Radio!
Aileen, Shetland Islands
I live on an island far away from a Buddhist centre and am rarely able to go on retreats. It has been especially beneficial to me to be able to download so many inspiring talks to go deeper in my practice.
Sangharakshita, Birmingham, UK
It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to know FBA is benefiting so many people around the world. This is one of the most important developments within our new Buddhist community for many years.
Vajradarshini, Valderrobres, Spain
I live in Spain so have no Buddhist Centres or Libraries close at hand and FBA is like having an excellent Dharmic library right here. Listening to the Dharma is a whole practice in itself!
The risk of the FWBO losing its edge; reactions to Sangharakshita himself and the unfathomable nature of human beings; his own practice - meditation, reflection, and intuitions about the nature of reality; dreams of his teachers and archetypal dreams (8:02)
07.
Deciding to have sexual relationships - what the word 'experiment' means to Sangharakshita; wearing robes while being sexually active - neither monk nor lay; on the subject of teachers being sexually active with disciples - two models; on women (9:33)
Sangharakshita's complaint about non-Buddhists being considered authorities on Buddhism; a defence of animism; marigold garlands for the sacred; the destruction of trees in India (6:02)
Nagamitra - The gift of Doctor Ambedkar and Sangharakshita's presentation of his work (with a salutation to Lokamitra on 40 years of service to the Dhamma in India) (24:21)
04.
Subhuti - The gift of Sangharakshita's presence in his life (18:45)
Sangharakshita recounts his first visit to Essen; reflections on the 42nd anniversary of the FWBO / Sangharakshita erzahlt von seinem ersten Besuch in Essen; Gedanken zum 42 Jahrestag des FWBO (5:35)
04.
Growth of the FWBO globally; Sangharakshita's experiences in Germany / Wachstum des FWBO weltweit; Sangharakshitas Erfahrungen in Deutschland (3:18)
05.
Publishing the first spoken-word books; creation of the 'Essential Sangharakshita' around the many existing teachings / Die Herausgabe der ersten auf Vortragen basierenden Bucher; Zusammenstellung des ‘Essential Sangharakshita’ (5:25)
09.
Sangharakshita's own experience and advice from the last 42 years of devotion to the FWBO / Sangharakshitas eigene Erfahrung und Ratschlag auf der Grundlage von 42 Jahren mit dem FWBO (2:16)
Sangharakshita - Celebrating the founding of the FWBO in 1967; looking back to 1985 - Subhuti's book 'The Buddhist Vision'; launching a new edition (4:24)
02.
Sangharakshita - Finding a good book title; reminiscing about early discussions on 'what Buddhism is' - religion, philosophy or science; quotes from the bible on vision - Proverbs 29, v 18, Habbakuk 2, v 2 (8:44)
03.
Subhuti - Sangharakshita's translation of 'The Dhammapada'; being a translator; all you need to know for Enlightenment (2:49)
Kamalashila - Introduction: what is Buddhafield? Links with the founding of the FWBO – the radical exploration of alternatives; Sangharakshita's name – 'protector of the Sangha', 'protected by the Sangha' (4:06)
02.
Sangharakshita - Sangharakshita's first time at Buddhafield; 'dharmapala' and 'dharma parlour' - the spider and the fly; Buddha, Dharma and Sangha together (3:43)
04.
'Untouchables' in the Hindu caste system; Dr Ambedkar and the mass conversion to Buddhism; Sangharakshita's time amongst the new Buddhists of India (5:13)
09.
'Vicikiccha' ('sceptical doubt') - not making up your mind; Sangharakshita's positive counterparts to the three fetters - being creative, committed and clear (4:10)
Bringing Dinoo to life; London coincidences; the Kazini of Chakung; working with Sangharakshita on footnotes (3:20)
03.
Sangharakshita remembering - seeing people with appreciation; Dr Mehta; working on the notes (a Dickensian reverie); the book's audience, present and future (4:19)
04.
Writing the introduction; an overview of the correspondents' lives in 1956; the challenge of writing about Sangharakshita; breadth and depth - seeing and intuition (3:28)
05.
Two standout things about Sangharakshita; the ordinary and the extraordinary; kindness; a single stream of Dharma activity (2:32)
06.
Sangharakshita - Life in Kalimpong and on the Plains of India; Bombay in the 1950s; the Parsee (Parsi) community; Zoroastrianism (4:12)
15.
Letters of the Romantic poets; Byron's letters; Keats - 'a vale of soul making'; Coleridge's letters; Philip Larkin; Sangharakshita's own letter writing now (3:43)
Visiting again, 3 years on; Dr. Ambedkar with arthritis; Sangharakshita as a little controversial himself; changing religion - the Dalits ('Untouchables') and Hindu caste discrimination (4:24)