Podcasts about fwbo

Vishvapani's usual good-natured and reflective approach is just the thing to start us off as he looks at how Sangharakshita's initiative in founding the FWBO might be viewed in terms of the unity of Buddhism. Excerpted from the talk Three Jewels Buddhism - Finding the Heart of the Dharma Traditions given at the Triratna Buddhist Order Weekend, Wymondham College, March 2008. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

Nagabodhi interviews Sangharakshita in a wide-ranging discussion about the FWBO's history and the continuing process of translating the Buddha's Dharma for the West. At times the exchanges are more personal than is common as we listen in to questions and answers regarding a variety of historical features of the personal and public life of the founder of a new, radical spiritual community. What emerges is the clear sense of a complex man and of broad vision allied with a remarkable unity of purpose. The consistency of this through all joys and difficulties speaks volumes by itself. Interview conducted in 2007. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud

Prayer to Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom May all beings experience happiness and its causes Be free from suffering and its causes, Never be parted from happiness And dwell in the condition of equanimity Ever since his introduction to Buddhism in 1976, Mahamati has been attracted to collective, collaborative contexts. He was, from the start, delighted to find a group of people with whom he could live his whole life, practising and working together with a vision for the transformation of both self and the world. This has long characterized his relationship with the Triratna Buddhist Order and with its founding teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita, whose lecture The Meaning of Spiritual Community ignited something magic in Mahamati's life that continues to find new expression today. This vision of transformation is what Mahamati will be bringing to a major role in our community as Chair of the College of Public Preceptors, starting in November 2024. Mahamati speaks about Triratna's primary mission - and his own spiritual life - in terms of responding to suffering in the world and a vision of ‘transcendent happiness'. Understanding what that might mean - and how that works, both at an individual level and at the level of serving a spiritual community - is key.  We hear about the many-layered role of the College of Public Preceptors: its central role in welcoming new members into the Order, upholding an established lineage of practice (particularly after the death of Sangharakshita in 2018), and addressing ethical issues. What shines through most is the deeply personal lifelong connection that marks ordination into our particular community; how people are transformed through a shared sense of common project ready to meet the challenges and sorrows of the world. Happiness and the potential for it is never far away throughout the conversation as Mahamati unfolds his own sense of how that initial act of commitment - choosing to become a Buddhist - blossoms and fruits over time into a path of service and of responsibility capable of changing a life in quite profound ways. An encouraging, inspired evocation of the opportunities to serve that light up a life lived on the Buddhist path. Show Notes

In this 2007 talk, Sangharakshita helps celebrate the 40th anniversary of the FWBO (as well as the 60th anniversary of his own 'Going Forth'). With characteristic clarity and conviction, he shares his reflections on the history of the Movement and Order he founded, as well as some pertinent thoughts on the future. If you've never heard him before - and just to put this in context - the first talk we have in our archive by Sangharakshita was given in 1965! And here we are, 40+ years on and still going strong... Amazing! Talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, April 2007. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud

A deep-dive of a conversation between Abhaya and Satyalila, framing the practice of the Dharma as a path towards beauty, letting go, and liberation of the heart and mind.  Abhaya speaks frankly about the very early days of the FWBO (now Triratna) and how his understanding of Urgyen Sangharakshita's systematic approach has evolved alongside his personal connection to his teacher and friend. We also hear how his early inspiration around the Tibetan text translated as 'Self Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness' has resonated through his life, and led him to a deeper engagement in old age with the practice and appreciation of visual art as a way into profound connection with others and with the heart of what matters. Recorded in 2017 on the occasion of Abhaya's 80th birthday. For more Buddhist Features, see [www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features](www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features)

Some great sounds from a day celebrating Triratna at Aryaloka on the north-east coast of the USA. Bettye Pruitt interviews Dharmasuri, Chair of Nagaloka, the Triratna Center in Portland, Maine, about her travels in traditional Buddhist countries. Shaun Bartone leads the singing of the song is "I Became Awake" by Canadian folk singer Tony Dekker of the band Great Lake Swimmers. And then we get a longer harmonized chanting of the mantra associated with the Buddha Maitreya. www.thebuddhistcentre.com/triratna50 #triratna #FWBO #dharma #sangha #community #buddhism #buddhist #buddha #mantra #song #singing #chanting #triratna50

A great talk by Subhuti, live streamed around the world from London at the time, to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community. The fire of peace has been ignited in the world by the Buddha. It burns brightly today in the Triratna Order and movement, and inspired by Sangharakshita's vision will burn well into the future – but how do we fan the flames so that the heat of practice transforms the world? Chaired by Subhadramati. Recorded in London, 8th April 2017 N.B. This is an edited and remastered audio version of the introduction, the talk and the main part of the summing up. The original audio was quiet, though we've turned up the volume and this version should be easily audible. We may replace it with a higher quality version when one is available. #triratna #triratna50 #buddhism #buddhist #dharma #community #sangha #gratitude #forgiveness #London #FWBO #Sangharakshita

This week’s FBA Podcast is entitled The Importance of Mindfulness by Kamalashila. In this talk from September 1996, Kamalashila explores the centrality of mindfulness to the Buddhist path. He discuses the concept of intoxication, with reference to the 5th Precept and the Sutra of Golden Light. Kamalashila then considers the four foundations of mindfulness from the the Satipatthana Sutta and concludes that mindfulness is the basis of metta and allows us to embrace the realm of truth and beauty. Croydon has been home to FWBO or Triratna Buddhist communities and centres since 1968. Many early talks by well known speakers were recorded, both at Aryatara, since 1979, and at the new Croydon Centre from 1981. These are now being transferred from their crumbling cassettes to digital format, as part of the Croydon Digital Archive Project, and are being made available to everyone. This talk is in good condition but starts and ends abruptly.

Following on from his statement of personal regret about the publication of ‘Women, Men And Angels' and the views expressed in it, here is Subhuti in conversation with Maitreyi, going into detail around that regret, and sharing his thoughts on a very painful episode in Triratna history, including the story of how it all happened. What emerges in the course of the interview is an exemplary look by two good, old friends at how confusion can arise - and how clear apologies can help with any process of healing or reconciliation that might result. Our thanks to Sanghadhara and Clear Vision for facilitating this discussion. For more: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/adhisthana-kula #gender #women #Triratna #FWBO #BritishBuddhism #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #Sangharakshita

A new podcast from some members of the Adhisthana Kula as they come to the end of a 10-day meeting of the Triratna College of Public Preceptors - the body responsible for maintaining the integrity and spirit of the Triratna Buddhist Order. A great little summary of some of the more general issues discussed, including those arising from historical controversies in Triratna (formerly the FWBO). We get a little taster of other conversations to come - with news of new media, and of prospective reconciliation possibilities within the wider community. What emerges is a picture of the College at a crucial moment, holding complexity as Dharma practitioners individually and together. Significantly, we hear a moving account of some of their own experience of 'Insight' in the context of walking a Buddhist path; one where we can both be clear about our history while also striving for the ideal of the Bodhisattva, who works to relieves suffering in the world. Recorded at Adhisthana, March 2017. https://thebuddhistcentre.com/adhisthana-kula #Triratna #Buddhism #BritishBuddhism #Dharma #Buddhist #community #FWBO

The Adhisthana Kula is a new group made up of some of the most experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, meeting together to help the community find lasting reconciliation in the face of renewed interest in historical controversies and some of the issues arising from them. We hear Dhammarati, Lokeshvara, Mahamati, Parami, Ratnadharini and Saddhaloka share thoughtful perspectives on the work ahead, considering what is required to meet any suffering involved, to promote good communication around issues, and to encourage confidence in an approach to Buddhist practice that has developed and grown a lot over 50 years. Fascinating listening about the lessons of the past for a now international community . Follow the work of the Adhisthana Kula online: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/adhisthana-kula #Triratna #FWBO #Buddhism #Buddhist #Sangharakshita #Dharma #sangha #community #controversy

Welcome to a new year of podcasts from The Buddhist Centre Online! We're delighted to welcome our first guest via Skype, Munisha, Triratna's European Safeguarding Officer, to discuss some strong work in an ever-changing field of care. A fascinating look at what's involved in contemporary safeguarding, how it relates to controversies of the past, and the challenges posed by the need to have an international approach in an online age. What comes across most clearly is Munisha's deep sense of integrity and compassion. We get to hear what supports her in sometimes difficult, lonely work, and how her own Buddhist practice has been strengthened by taking on the role of being a protector for the vulnerable in our community. www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features #safeguarding #triratna #buddhism #buddhist #sangha #fwbo #dharma

Karunadevi has been a practicing Buddhist since the 1980s after finding her way to California from the heartland of Iowa. The first American to be ordained in the U.S. into the Triratna Buddhist Order she is now a member of the College of Public Preceptors, helping maintain the spiritual wellbeing of the community worldwide. We hear about Karunadevi's journey to the Dharma via family, friends, and brushes with mystic religion (via Christianity, Joan Baez and Lama Govinda). And how it was as an American to meet a new practice tradition founded in another, very different culture. It's a wonderful conversation with a woman who has long been passionate about leading a Buddhist life - and who has been inspiring others to do the same - for many years. #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma #mysticism #religion #spirituality #Iowa #California #Triratna #community #sangha #family #fwbo

We’ve been inspired to share writings and poems by Bhante Sangharakshita this month. Our FBA Podcast today, “Sangharakshita – Facing Mount Kanchenjunga”, is a delightful talk from 1991. Sangharakshita starts by reading an extract from the new volume of his autobiography, Facing Mount Kanchenjunga. He follows this by talking about and reading eight poems that he composed in Kalimpong which give a real feel for his appreciation of the place but also for his worries about the effect of logging in the mountains. The talk was given on November 28, 1991, in Croydon Buddhist Centre as part of the book launch for his autobiography. Croydon has been home to FWBO or Triratna Buddhist communities and centres since 1968. Many early talks by well known speakers were recorded, both at Aryatara, since 1979, and at the new Croydon Centre from 1981. These are now being transferred from their crumbling cassettes to digital format, as part of the Croydon Digital Archive Project, and are being made available to everyone.

We’ve been inspired to share poems by Bhante Sangharakshita this month. Our FBA Podcast today is an unusual, early, talk from Sankharakshita which will be new to most people. “Sangharakshita – Reading Poems About Friendship”. Bhante was invited by the Croydon Arts Centre, in 1990, to choose, discuss and read poems about friendship. His selection ranges from the Epic of Gilgamesh to 20th century poets and clearly shows Sangharakshitas love of poetry and his desire to share this with other people. The tape begins with an introduction by Dharmaruci, includes the Pearl Fishers friendship duet sung by Jussi Bjorling and Robert Merril and concludes with a personal reflection on Sangharakshita by Nagabhodi, as a book launch for A Taste of Freedom. Croydon has been home to FWBO or Triratna Buddhist communities and centres since 1968. Many early talks by well known speakers were recorded, both at Aryatara, since 1979, and at the new Croydon Centre from 1981. These are now being transferred from their crumbling cassettes to digital format, as part of the Croydon Digital Archive Project, and are being made available to everyone. The tape quality reflects its age, the sound is slightly distorted, but clear, during the readings and more distorted during the duet.

Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;The Modern Bardand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;An Autobiographical Sequence of Poemsand#8221;, read by the author and recorded at FWBO celebrations in London, September 1990.

Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;The White Calfand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;An Autobiographical Sequence of Poemsand#8221;, read by the author and recorded at FWBO celebrations in London, September 1990.

In this week’s FBA Podcast, Sangharakshita gives a full introduction to the Six Emphases of the Triratna Buddhist Community with “Forty Years On – The Six Emphases of the FWBO”. Marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly the Western Buddhist Order), he has some great reminisences about the early days, and is on top form as he considers the uniting factors of this diverse group of people who are engaged with the project of discovering Buddhism all over again for the modern world.

Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, called and#8220;Reflecting on Core Triratna Featuresand#8221; is an excerpt from the talk and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBOand#8221;. It begins with a lovely personal note from Sangharakshita regarding the loss of his eyesight, and his reflections on the beginnings and some of the important features of Triratna (the former FWBO) that those in our community should consider. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002..

Our FBA Dharmabyte today begins a two-month long series of podcasts around the topic of the Six Emphases of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Our introductory Dharmabyte is called and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of Triratnaand#8221; from the talk and#8220;Looking Back and#8211; and Forwardand#8221; by Sangharakshita. Here he celebrates the 40th anniversary of the FWBO (or Triratna Buddhist Order as it is now named) with a reflection on what makes our tradition unique from other Buddhist traditions. Talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, April 2007.

In diesem Vortrag macht Sangharakshita deutlich, was die Buddhistische Gemeinschaft Triratna (vormals FWBO) ausmacht. Unter sechs Überschriften arbeitet er die besonderen Merkmale von Triratna heraus. Dabei kommt in Seitenbemerkungen und Anekdoten - wie so oft - sein feiner Humor zum Ausdruck sowie Reflexionen über sein Leben und die Entwicklung der Triratna-Gemeinschaft.

Dharmashalin returns in todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte with part two of his overview of the spiritual life of Sangharakshita. In and#8220;Sangharakshita and Triratna,and#8221; we continue the story principally through the development of Triratna from a dream to an international Buddhist community.

A new set of Buddhist Voices from The Buddhist Centre Online gets started with the first in a regular series featuring Suvajra, one of the most experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, as we trace his life and practice taking each of the four seasons as our starting point. In part 2 of this conversation taking as its starting point Suvajra's first encounters with Buddhism in the summer of 1969, we move through a full 10 year arc to end with his eventual ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order in autumn 1978. It's moving to listen as an irregular interest, based as much on intuition as anything else, grows into a full-flowered commitment to a life dedicated to spiritual fellowship, awareness, and emotional positivity. There are more great evocations of the early days of Buddhism in the UK, especially in Glasgow and Manchester, and of the still forming ordination process in a new kind of spiritual community. As Suvajra grows through his tales his journey is both recognisable and exemplary for its open heartedness. #Buddhism #British #Buddhist #Dharma #Buddha #Triratna #FWBO #Sangharakshita #History

A new set of Buddhist Voices from The Buddhist Centre Online gets started with the first in a regular series featuring Suvajra, one of the most experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, as we trace his life and practice taking each of the four seasons as our starting point. We begin by touching on Suvajra's current life at Adhisthana Retreat Centre in the UK, caring for his teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita, the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. And having set the scene in Herefordshire, 2014, it's time to consider our first season... Today we go back to the Summer of '69 and meet the young Suvajra as he first discovers the Dharma and realises that he has always been a Buddhist. This is a fascinating account of the early Buddhist scene in Britain in the 1960s and '70s and, specifically, in Scotland. We also hear about Suvajra's first visit to the US and subsequent exposure to Buddhist meditation and practice via Christmas Humphreys' books. And we catch a glimpse of his early encounters with the great Tibetan texts that were to have a profound influence on his later life. #Buddhism #British #Buddhist #Dharma #History #1969 #1960 #1970 #meditation #FWBO #Triratna #Sangharakshita

In this week’s FBA Podcast Dhammarati delivers “A System of Training.” Here Dhammarati explores the FWBO’s system of practice itself -its background in practice, its relationship to tradition, and its implications for the very nature of spiritual life. An encouraging, grounded, flexible take on the rigorous, meaningful, and rewarding challenges of a lifetime of working with the mind and the heart. Talk given at the national Order weekend, February 2008

This week’sFBA Podcast“Spiritual Transmission and Lineage” is a detailed, intimate and heartfelt talk from Saddhanandi looking at the relationship between a Dharma follower and her/his teacher. The talk takes as its lead-off point, David Smith’s criticisms of the FWBO as lacking relationship with a ‘vertical dimension’ in its systems of practice. It’s a sympathetic and open response, but one that is also happy to have confidence in an inside experience of practice that arrives at different conclusions. Saddhanandi revisits Sangharakshita’s own take on the problems faced by practitioners in a contemporary spiritual community, and, with the help of a good sprinkling of quotes and stories from other traditions, she explores the nature of the Sangha as the possible ground for insight itself to arise. Please note, this talk has variable sound quality throughout. Talk given at the Tiratna [Western] Buddhist Order Women’s Convention, Wymondham 2007

In this week’s FBA Podcast “Triratna Buddhism,” Vadanya tells the story of Sangharakshita and the new Buddhist Order and movement he founded. He talks about the early days of the FWBO and demonstrates the radical nature of the movement that has now become the Triratna Buddhist Community.

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte ,and#8221;Dhardo Rimpoche, A Spiritual Friend,and#8221; Sangharakshita recalls his own personal friendship with the great Tibetan Lama, Dhardo Rimpoche. From the talk and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBOand#8221; given at Padmaloka in 2002. Note the FWBO is now the Triratna Buddhist Community.

Our FBA Podcast today, “Sangha in the Context of Contemporary Buddhism,” is from two of our speakers, Parami and Ratnaghosha. Together they deliver two excellent talks that reflect on the area of sangha from inner and outer perspectives respectively. How does the FWBO’s approach square up with that of other traditions? And how might we continue to work on our practice of sangha as an integral part of our personal practice of the Dharma. As usual from two of our most thoughtful speakers, there is much to consider here – in which any Buddhist will likely recognise the challenge and the joy. This is the last in the series organised by ‘Dharmapala College’ to mark the 40th anniversary of the Western Buddhist Order. The series looked at the Order and the FWBO taken together – past and future: its own emphases, and its relationship to the whole Buddhist tradition…

Today’s FBA Podcast, “A Personal Talk On the Bodhisattva Ideal” is just that – a moving and personal talk, by Vidyamala, given at the 25-year jubilee retreat (of FWBO activities in Stockholm) in a beautiful setting in the archipelago north of Stockholm, Sweden, September 2005.

This weeks FBA Podcast, is a recording of a question and answer session with Sangharakshita at the Croydon Buddhist Centre in 2004. “An Evening with Sangharakshita” is a lovely introduction to the man who founded the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community (formally known as the Western Buddhist Order and FWBO).

Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, and#8220;Everyone Needs the Dharma and#8211; Milarepaand#8217;s Songand#8221; has Sanghrakshita delightfully reciting words from the song. The Dharma is defined as whatever contributes to the development of the individual. In the full talk, and#8220;Western Buddhists and Eastern Buddhismand#8221; Sangharakshita emphasizes the importance of distinguishing Buddhism as a universally applicable path of development from the specifically Eastern cultural forms it has been associated with in the past, and explains why an authentic, non-sectarian Buddhist movement is needed in the West. Talk given in 1979. This talk is part of the series and#8220;A New Buddhist Movement and#8211; the Meaning of the FWBO.and#8221;

Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, titled and#8220;What is the Middle Way?and#8221; is extracted from the talk and#8220;Twenty Years on the Middle Wayand#8221; by Sangharakshita. The Middle Way can be explored through three levels of application: ethics, psychology and metaphysics. Sagharakshita explores the extreme views associated with each as he points the way towards the Middle Way. Talk given in 1987

In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte Lokamitra speaks to the Triratna Buddhist Order in Bodh Gaya on the history of the modern Buddhist movement in India. In and#8220;The Growth and Potential of Buddhism in Indiaand#8221; he draws parallels between Dr. Ambedkarand#8217;s and Sangharakshitaand#8217;s approach to the Dharma, particularly their common emphasis on social change. This excerpt is from the 2009 International Convention where Lokamitra addresses the stunning rebirth and growth of Buddhism in India, the positive work undertaken by the TBMSG and FWBO in the region, and the potential for Buddhists in India to have an impact on the future of their country and the rest of the world. Recorded 2009 at Bodh Gaya, India. Includes translations.

Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, and#8220;Marking the New Name: Triratna Buddhist Communityand#8221;, is a short talk by Padmavajra before leading the seven-fold puja at the International Sangha Gathering, Taraloka, May 2010 marking our movementand#8217;s name from the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order to the Triratna Buddhist Community. The Community of the Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha.

In celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community, (formally the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) we bring you an moving and engaging talk by Subhuti: “Awake to the Cries of the World” the keynote talk from the FWBO celebrations a decade ago. How do we respond to the suffering in the world? Subhuti speaks from his experience of years trying to answer that question – the joys and pitfalls of trying to ‘help’ as part of a committment to the Bodhisattva Ideal. Complete with an introduction by Padmavajra on Avalokiteshvara. Talk given on FWBO Day, 2001.

Ratnaguna shares his personal experience of the mid-1970s in the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, now the Triratna Buddhist Community. April 2010 The post FWBO in the 1975-77 Era appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Sona shares his personal experience of the early 1970s in the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, now the Triratna Buddhist Community. April 2010 The post FWBO in the 1971-74 Era appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

The ‘Just Sitting’ practice has been part of the FWBO’s system of meditation since the very beginning yet is not often discussed and not always understood. Here Subhuti gives his own inspiring and brilliantly refreshing take on the practice as a central element in his own meditative life. A must-listen piece for all those enthused by ideas of formal and ‘formless’ meditation – ‘Just Hear’ it and you”ll see what we mean!

Time to bring the picture on the FWBO’s relations with other Buddhists bang up-to-date with this splendid excursion over the common ground Buddhists share in the 21st century, and also through the diverse practice landscapes they continue to explore in their own approaches to the Dharma. As a basis Dhammarati looks at the FWBO’s own grounding in tradition, and encourages us all at root to look continually to our own practice as we make the great journey from suffering to an expansive sense of living free. Talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, January 2009

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

Transcript -- Buddhism in Birmingham.

Buddhism in Birmingham.

Transcript -- Buddhism in Birmingham.

Buddhism in Birmingham.

Sangharakshita visited in April 2008 and gave a talk on the Six Emphases of the FWBO (now the Triratna Buddhist Community) The post Sangharakshita at Manchester Buddhist Centre 2008 appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.