Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

We continue to listen to Sangharakshita's thoughts on creating sangha in today's FBA Dharmabyte "Genuine Spiritual Community." From the talk "The Sangha or Buddhist Community" given in 1968 as part of the series "Introducing the Three Jewels of Buddhism."

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Why Have a Sangha?" Sangharakshita explores the nature of spiritual friendship and why it is so essential to spiritual life. From the talk "The Spiritual Community" given in 1966 as part of the series "Introducing Buddhism."

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Ethics is an Expression of Humanity," Dhammadinna reminds us that human birth is not accidental but is due to past skilful karma. What does it mean to be human? Dhammadinna's gently balanced and encouraging talk explores various perspectives on one of the fundamental questions, and clearly lays out various Buddhist approaches to the nature of our existence and consciousness, especially in relation to the other realms of the Tibetan wheel of life. From the talk "The Preciousness and Rarity of Human Life" given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005

Our FBA Dharmabyte today explores the question: "Who creates Spiritual Community?" by Sangharakshita. Where is the spiritual community to be found? What do the members of the spiritual community do for themselves, for one another, and for the world? From the talk: "The Meaning of Spiritual Community" given in 1975 as part of the series "Human Enlightenment".

Today we bring you yet another classic FBA Dharmabyte "Consciousness: Individual and Collective" by Sangharakshita from the 1983 talk "The Bodhisattva Principle". Collective consciousness is the closest description of what we have come to call the spiritual community. A group of truly human individuals who share enlightenment as their ideal, who, in traditional Buddhist language go for refuge to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the spiritual community is the expression of the Bodhisattva principle in the world.

In today'sFBA Dharmabyte today, "The Revolution of the Metta Bhavana," Khemasuri challenges us to ask ourselves what we can do individually and collectively by taking risks in our community, reminding us that collective change is not comfortable. Taking a risk herself in the title of the talk, this is an excerpt from "Building an Ethical Underworld - Lessons from the Mafia" given at the Buddhafield Festival, Devon, 2007.

Our FBA Dharmabyte today, "Buddha Nature – Practice is Paramount," features Dhammarati in the midst of an indispensable exploration of everyday practice of the Dharma in the beautiful light of the Tathagathagarbha Sutra. From the fantastic talk, "Breaking the Mould" given at Triratna [FWBO] Day, London 2003

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, Satyaraja beautifully describes the need for "Ksanti in Sangha." Ksanti, translated as 'patience' and is especially called for when encountering differing views on living a spiritual life. From the talk "Ksanti - Patience" given on Sangha Night at Stockholms Buddhistcenter, 8 February 2010, the theme for the spring session being practicing the Dharma with concern for others.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Living the Buddhist Life: Community Life" is an excerpt from a conversation between Maitreyabandhu and Subhadramati as part of an evening entitled 'The Dakini of Friendship' which took place during the LBC's Urban Retreat in 2010.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Living The Buddhist Life: Upping the Ante," is an excerpt from a conversation between Maitreyabandhu and Subhadramati as part of an evening entitled 'The Dakini of Friendship' which took place during the LBC's Urban Retreat in 2010.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, "The True Basis of Leafness" is a true Dharma gem on the interconnectedness of all things from Parami's talk "The Awakening Heart."

Weak Good overcomes Strong Evil in today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Jedi Knights and Bodhisattvas." Parami evokes the Bodhicitta mind-heart with a vision towards interconnectedness in this excerpt from the talk "The Awakening Heart" given at Taraloka Retreat Centre.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "The Zen Approach," Sangharakshita describes the individual schools in Zen Buddhism and offers three misunderstandings about Zen. From the talk "A Special Transmission Outside the Scriptures" given in 1965.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte is by the lovely Vajradarhini speaking again on poetry in the Buddhist tradition. "Dew in Zen Poetry" is a beautiful exploration of this well-loved image of impermanence. From the talk "The Transitoriness of Life and the Certainty of Death" given as part of a series on the 'Four Mind Turnings' of the Tibetan tradition given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Energy in Pursuit of the Good," Sangharakshita shares the story of Indra and the squirrel as we learn of one of the Five Spiritual Faculties: Energy. Is such a life of everyday Buddhist spiritual practice possible in the West? From the talk "The Pattern of Buddhist Life and Work" given in 1966 as part of the series "Introducing Buddhism."