Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Rememberance of Freedom," by Kulaprabha, is from a meditation - a led reflection from the recording titled "Reflection on the Eight Freedoms". Let yourself be led through this reflection and take up the challenge of seeing just what positive circumstances we already have to do... Well, to do what with them? Therein lies the freedom and the challenge. This is another in the series of talks from Taraloka inspired by Gampopa's text - 'The Jewel Ornament of Liberation', December 2007 Please note this talk is a led meditation.

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.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Tara as Embodiment of Practice for Others," is an excerpt from the talk, "Chetul Sangye Dorje" by Vajratara given at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2007

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.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Interconnectedness and the Awakening Heart" Parami explores the theme of the Buddha's compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other - it emerged from his realisation of 'Emptiness'. The Buddha realised full well how hard it was going to be to communicate what he had discovered to other people - to us. He knew that the grip of greed, hatred and delusion is very strong. He could imagine how vexatious it might be to teach. Fortunately for us, he could also see our potential. And so out of compassion he taught. FBA Dharmabyte from the full talk, "Out of Compassion for the World," given at the Triratna International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "The Three Characteristics of Conditioned Existence" Sangharakshita illustrates how perfect vision can arise, and concludes by showing how Buddhists have communicated their vision of reality in conceptual and imaginative terms. FBA Dharmabyte from the full talk, "The Nature of Existence: Right Understanding," given in 1968 as part of the series "The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path."

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Fear and Dread"Kulaprabha explores spiritual death - death of our fixed, bounded self, the self that is made up of bundled habits and preferences and views, especially views about existence and non-existence - with reference to the first of two Pali Canon suttas. From the talk: "Spiritual Death, Fear and Fearlessness" given at the Taraloka, May 2008 as part of the System of Meditation retreats.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Indra's Net & The Web of Life," Akuppa traces positive lessons to be learned from simply observing and engaging with nature's patterns and processes - and invites us all to prepare to be awestruck as a necessary first step. From the talk: "Buddhism and Ecology" given at the Triratna [Western Buddhist Order] Convention, 2005

In today's FBA Dharmabyte "The Effect of Reflecting on Suffering" Maitreyi looks at pleasure and suffering in the context of samsara - compassionate responses to self and other, and how to loosen the bonds... This Dharmabyte is from the talk "The Defects and Dangers of Samsara," given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005 and is part of the series "The Four Mind-Turning Reflections."

From Padmavajra's wonderful series on The Dhammapada we bring you today's FBA Dharmabyte:"Metta Bhavana: A Most Important Practice." All of the Buddha's core teachings are here - held in heart and mind there's more than enough in the Dhammapada to take us as far in our practice as we can imagine, and then on beyond... From "Changing Hatred Into Love - The Dhammapada Verses 3 to 6," part of the series "The Dhammapada - The Buddha's Way of Truth"

Today's FBA Dharmabyte is from our founder and teacher Sangharakshita: "The Positive Restructuring of Consciousness." In Buddhist practice, the traditional method of choice for effecting positive change in one's life is meditation. Here Sangharakshita takes a closer look, focussing on the 'superconscious states' (characterised in turn by integration, inspiration, permeation, and radiation), the practice of developing universal friendliness, and the distinction between calm and Insight. From the talk: "A Method of Personal Development," 1976.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Cherishing Living Beings", Subhuti tenderly takes us into the meaning of cherishing - looking after others, caring for them, and engaging in small acts of kindness. From the first talk in the series "Eight Verses for Training the Mind (talk 1)." "May I always cherish all beings, With the resolve to accomplish for them The highest good that is more precious Than any wish-fulfilling jewel." Talk given at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham, 2004 This Dharmabyte excerpt is part of the series "Eight Verses for Training the Mind."

Our Dharmabyte today continues on the theme of Ethics with Parami sharing her thoughts on "Ethics and Compassion." Parami explores this theme of the Buddha's compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other - it emerged from his realisation of 'Emptiness'. "Out of Compassion for the World" was given at FWBO [Triratna] International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008

Our Dharmabyte today, "Buddhism and The Mind," takes us back to 1967 with Sangharakshita's lecture: "Meditation: the Expanding Consciousness." The mind has depths and heights of which we are not normally aware, Buddhism squarely places our attention in a very practical way on the development of Mind. Meditation is something to be experienced, not talked about!

Today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Images of Integration," Viveka explores the many, diverse faces of mindfulness practice - breaking down the ideological barriers that can so often divide when we try to figure out what, exactly, does constitute mindfulness meditation... Dharmabyte from the full talk: "Mindfulness as Sadhana" given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention 2005