Podcasts about Mahayana

In which the emperor's new debate-bro gish-galloping sophistry is… very nice?

Nagavajri gracefully introduces some points one may find helpful before studying any Mahayana sutra, giving some context to this rich vein of the Dharma. Excerpted from the talk What Do I Need to Know Before Reading a Mahayana Sutra? Given as an introduction to the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa (The Inconceivable Emancipation) at a sub30 Adhisthana retreat, 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Vijayasri explores confession's illuminating and transformational properties through the Mahayana sutra, The Sutra of Golden Light. Excerpted from the talk entitled the Sutra of Golden Light: What Is the Role of Confession In Buddhism? Given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 2023. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Welcome to another segment of the UnMind podcast and DharmaByte column. I would like to share a concern about something I have witnessed in the propagation of Zen. I am afraid that Zen in America is being categorized — in my opinion, erroneously -— as a "religion," during its second century in the West. As Zen assimilates into the volatile and increasingly violent American cultural milieu — primarily under the influence of Christian and Judaic traditions — Zen is widely, and wildly, misinterpreted as a faith or belief system. Buddhism is counted as one of the world's big four religions, we are told. But unlike Christianity, Islam or Hinduism, as well as Judaism, Buddhism is not a form of theism. I would not go so far as to categorize it as atheism — which is said to be the strongest form of theism — but that the question of the existence or nonexistence of God with a capital "G," or a pantheon of gods with lower "g's," simply does not arise. The traditional Zen saying would classify the term "god" as a "head upon a head" — a superfluous addition — on top of the reality that we all face in life. If god is what god is purported to be — i.e. omniscient and omnipresent — then there is no need to name that concept. More to the point, Zen is not based on a set of beliefs, or doctrine, but upon direct experience, whether yours or that of Buddha — who, after all, was not a Buddhist, any more than Christ was a Christian. Both were human beings, just like you. According to my poor understanding, in Buddhism, no independent, self-existent entity can be found anywhere in the universe. "Universe" is another word for naming the totality, but it is not conceived of as a conscious being, though the phrase "Vairocana Buddha" or "Cosmic Buddha," used to designate the concept, may suggest as much. An AI / Wikipedia summary says: Vairocana is the "Cosmic Buddha" or "Great Illuminator" in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, representing the ultimate, formless truth (Dharmakaya) and the source from which all Buddhas emanate. Unlike historical figures, he is a universal Buddha, often depicted at the center of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, embodying wisdom and dispelling ignorance. The "he" pronoun here is a tell — that Buddhist cultures of origin were patriarchal if not misogynistic — and any spiritual beings were cast in the mold of humanity. A section in the ancient Ch'an poem, Hsinhsinming—Trust in Mind, refers to this idea of an essential truth from the perspective of personal experience, characteristic of Zen: If the mind makes no discriminationsthe ten thousand things are as they are of single essenceUnderstanding the mystery of this One-essencewe are released from all entanglementsWhen all things are seen equally the timeless Self-essence is reached Note that this underlying unity, or noumenon in today's vernacular, is a thread running through the "ten thousand things," or all phenomena, not just human consciousness. "Timeless Self-essence" may smack of the western concept of an eternal soul, but this assumption amounts to a kind of cultural appropriation, interpreting the 7th century Chinese view of "essence" as a self-existent entity, which is anathema to Buddhism. The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, testified to the fact that he found no evidence of any such transmigrating soul, or the Sanskrit "atman," in his experience in meditation. He used an analogy to what was at that time a familiar object, a chariot — which, when disassembled and the parts laid out on the ground, no longer exists. The functional reality exists only in the assemblage. The contemporary term of art for what remained was sunyata, usually translated as "emptiness." But this term does not merely point to an absolute void, as it is often misinterpreted. Again, from our online gurus: Śūnyatā (Sanskrit) or Suññatā (Pali), commonly translated as "emptiness," "voidness," or "openness," is a foundational Buddhist philosophy referring to the lack of inherent, independent existence in all phenomena. It means all things—including the self—are empty of a separate, permanent ego, existing instead in a constant state of interdependence and change. I lean toward "openness," and note that "constant interdependence...and change" do not amount to a "state." There is nothing static about it. All things found in the universe are not things at all, but interconnected causes and conditions in constant flux — wave functions in science-speak. Likewise, aggregate reality: uni-verse, is not itself a "thing." The normal concept of "God" as a transcendent being does not stray far from this idea, except in depictions of Him or Her as human in form. As we are part of this universe, the idea that we can realize this unity with God or the cosmos permeates most religious belief systems. In Zen this proposition has the more prosaic connotation of being the truth, whether we know it or not. If God is anything, God is everything. The prospect of realization or awakening requires relinquishing our dualistic conceptions regarding this truth. Again, the great Chinese sage captures the dilemma in relatable terms: Denying the reality of things misses their realityAsserting the emptiness of things misses their realityThe more we talk and think about itthe further astray we wander from the truthStop talking and thinking and there is nothing you will not be able to know So while I maintain that Zen is not a religion in the conventional sense, what it is pointing to is the essential founding impulse of all religions, as well as philosophy: a realization of the truth of existence. Whether one interprets that realization as a religious experience or not does not change the fact of it. Again, Master Sengcan reminds us: Now there are sudden and gradualin which teachings and approaches ariseWith teachings and approaches distinguishedeach has its standardswhether teachings and approaches are mastered or notreality constantly flows "Sudden and gradual" here refers to the so-called Southern and Northern schools of Zen in China that preceded Sengcan by a couple of centuries. But they could just as well refer to today's various theistic religions with their multitude of denominations, or even to schools of philosophy, as well as theories and hypotheses of science. I italicize that last phrase, "reality constantly flows," as a simple truth, one that does not necessarily negate any of the various religious or philosophical worldviews, but amounts to a universal caveat: that whatever belief you may adhere to, it cannot possibly capture the totality of reality. Zen inquiry is said to take off from where philosophy leaves off, the latter having gotten there in a more roundabout manner. Whatever the starting point and mode of analysis, finally we are left with the "hard problem of consciousness," to co-op the phrase coined by the philosopher David Chalmers. Or as Master Dogen is said to have said, "At last we are left with ambiguity." One particular way of understanding various approaches to practice was taught by Kuei-feng Tsung-mi. Tsung-mi was a C'han master, and also the fifth Ancestor of the Hua Yen tradition in the Tang dynasty in China . He spoke of five different kinds of Zen, which are bompu zen or “usual zen,” gedo zen or ” Outside Way zen,” shojo zen or “Hinayana practice,” daijo zen or “Great Practice zen” and saijojo zen or “Easy and perfect” zen. In this sense, we could say that zen with a small “z” means simply a form of practising. Begin Here: Five Styles of Zenby Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshiZazen-ji, October 14, 1989[from the book, “Before Thinking”] Let us embrace this hard problem, and the inconclusiveness of its resolution, as we continue exploring the original frontier of Mind, and sharpening the razorblade of Zen. To make these postings a bit more interactive, please let me know if you have any subjects you might like me to address in future. My current focus is on the two underlying themes of my first and second published volumes, "The Original Frontier" and "The Razorblade of Zen," both available online. The former is a kind of user's manual for meditation, specifically of the Zen flavor, or zazen; the second is about where I see Zen fitting into the American cultural milieu as a third, alternative way, between the extremes of rationalism and science, leading to secular reductionism on one end of the spectrum, with those of theism and religion, or fundamentalism at the outer reaches on the other end. Zen lives in the middle. In these two books, both the personal and social spheres of practice-experience are engaged, separated for clarity of message. Implications for the natural sphere in the long term — if it is not already too late, in terms of climate change, for one example — I leave to you. Zen may offer our last and best hope for world peace, and saving our home planet. Implications for our understanding — or better, comprehending — the universe, and our place in it, I also leave to you. You are more likely to find your answers to the deeper questions on the cushion than off of it. But — no guarantees.

It's the one about the robe. Part one of several.

In which a seven-year-old monk attains enlightenment.

Signs of Life - Personal Experiences - hosted by Dr. Betty Kovacs, Janet Mayer and Kimberly Saavedra Personal Experiences of Spirit, Love, and Afterlife Connection Everyone Has A Story To Share. We Invite You To Share YOURS! Many Of Us Have Personal Experiences That Defy Mainstream Thinking. Join Us As We Explore The Types Of Experiences That People Have, What They Mean, And How We Can Integrate Them Into Our Daily Lives. Kimberly Saavedra Opens a Personal Experiences Conversation In this episode of Signs of Life Radio, Kimberly Saavedra, Director of the Coma Communication Center, is joined by Dr. Betty Kovacs and Janet Mayer for a Personal Experiences program focused on survival of consciousness and direct afterlife encounters. The hosts invite callers to share experiences that do not involve mediums, including signs, communications, and moments that challenge mainstream views of death and consciousness. Kimberly notes how meaningful it is when all three hosts can be together, while Janet begins by returning to a powerful caller story from the previous month. Returning to Laura's Story of Love After an Abortion Janet revisits the prior show's final caller, Laura, who had spoken briefly about having an abortion and later experiencing an ongoing loving connection with the spirit of the child, whom she called Lily. Janet says she wanted to give the story more space because Laura had asked whether others had similar experiences. Janet reflects that the spirit may have chosen even a brief earthly experience with Laura and that the connection may have been meaningful for both of them. Betty then shares a related story of a stillborn child whose soul, in Betty's strong intuitive impression, had received exactly the love and nurturing it needed during pregnancy and did not need to remain longer on Earth. Continuing Bonds and the Nearness of Loved Ones The hosts broaden the discussion into the idea that loved ones remain close after death. Janet says people often assume the deceased are far away, but in her experience, loved ones are likely nearby, present, and trying to communicate through signs. She encourages listeners to “pay attention” and accept meaningful experiences rather than dismissing them as imagination. Betty adds that people are connected with energies, guides, and loved ones beyond the physical world, and she says that even amid troubling events on Earth, people should not fall into despair because love, prayer, meditation, song, dance, and spiritual intention are contributing to a larger field of light. Elizabeth's Communications with Her Son Shawn Caller Elizabeth shares that her son Shawn died by suicide in 2015 after struggling with severe depression. She says that within 24 hours of his passing, she woke in the early morning surrounded by what felt like a glowing cocoon of love and began communicating with him telepathically. According to Elizabeth, these communications continued regularly for about ten months, during which she kept a headlamp, pen, and paper nearby so she could write them down as they occurred. She says Shawn and what she called a spirit collective helped guide her through grief, forgiveness, and renewed purpose, teaching her that love is not merely a feeling but a powerful force connecting both sides. Shawn in Spirit Speaks and Healing Through Love Elizabeth explains that she has now written a book titled Shawn in Spirit Speaks: Love Is the Forever Adventure. She says the book includes his words as she received them and is expected to be released near the end of the summer or early fall, with an audiobook to follow. Betty asks whether Shawn spoke about his own decision to leave life, and Elizabeth says he did, describing the soul's growth in terms of “attunement opportunities” rather than punishment. The hosts respond with compassion, emphasizing that such a story may comfort others grieving children or loved ones who died by suicide, while also showing that relationship and love continue beyond physical death. Books, Signs, and Stories of Evidential Contact After Elizabeth's call, Janet encourages listeners to read spiritual books during the summer, suggesting that a sentence, page, or passage can become a meaningful message from spirit. Kimberly then shares stories from Diane Archangel's work on afterlife encounters, including one in which a murdered son reportedly gave his mother specific information in a dream that helped police locate evidence, and another in which a deceased mother directed her son to hidden money in the house. These stories lead the hosts to discuss how verifiable information, unexpected signs, and meaningful synchronicities can become powerful experiences for people trying to understand survival after death. Tiffany's Sign from Her Beloved Dog Caller Tiffany from California shares a personal experience involving her late dog, C.K. Mr. Haven, whom she describes as the love of her life. On the anniversary of the day she had to put him down, she was saddened that she could not find photos of him on her phone because they had been moved to an external drive. That same day, while clearing old papers from a speaker so she could set up a new printer, she discovered a stack of glossy photos of C.K. Mr. Haven. Tiffany says she knew this was a visit from her dog, and the hosts affirm the importance of animal souls and the loving ways they can continue to reach people. Spirit, Music, Language, and the Closing Prayer Near the end, Janet reminds listeners that spirit communication can come through books, songs, dreams, sensations, and other unexpected signs. She shares that after doing a Signs of Life reading show years earlier, she felt spirit touching her feet under the covers as though calming and grounding her energy. Betty recounts experiences involving spiritual support around death, including a friend who sensed a male spirit taking over healing work near Betty's dying son and another father who experienced drumming around his daughter's passing. Janet also discusses her own experience of receiving a spiritual language, which led to the title of her book, Spirits, They Are Present. The show closes with the Mahayana prayer for all beings everywhere to be fulfilled, awakened, liberated, and free.

Norman gives his fourteenth  and last talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-14.mp3

In which we finish reading Cullavagga III.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna dives deeper into the perfection of wisdom within the Mahayana path of Tibetan Buddhism. He skillfully presents how our misperception of reality is the root of our suffering and then offers a variety of practices as methods for slowly clarifying our view of reality and thus relieving suffering from our experience. This episode was recorded on April 15th, 2026.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

Norman gives his thirteenth  talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” at the 2026 Villa Maria del Mar Sesshin – Talk 7 referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-the-Mahayana-Talk-13-Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2026-Talk-6.mp3

Norman gives his twelfth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” at the 2026 Villa Maria del Mar Sesshin – Talk 5 referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-the-Mahayana-Talk-12-Sesshin-Villa-Maria-del-Mar-2026-Talk-5.mp3

Norman gives his eleventh talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” at the 2026 Villa Maria del Mar Sesshin – Talk 4 referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-In-the-Mahayana-Talk-11-Sesshin-Villa-Del-Mar-2026-Talk-4.mp3

Norman gives his tenth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” at the 2026 Villa Maria del Mar Sesshin – Talk 1 referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-the-Mahayana-Talk-10-Sesshin-Santa-Sabina-Sesshin-Talk-2.mp3

Norman gives his ninth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” at the 2026 Villa Maria del Mar Sesshin – Talk 1 referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-the-Mahayana-Talk-9-Sesshin-Villa-Maria-del-Mar-Talk-1.mp3

A ritual from back in the old days, when there were only five chakras...

Norman gives his eighth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-8.mp3

  I've been super busy lately so it's perfect timing for another wonderful guest mix from friend of the feed, Daniel Hawkins. Daniel has done 4 mixes for LLM, each of them a great ambient journey. You can find them here: Amiably Ambient The Silence Between Dark Woods Metallic Memories   "This one takes some thoughtful curating to come up with such a cohesive set. Here what Daniel has to say about the mix:   "Wabi Sabi conveys feelings of desolation and solitude. Within Mahayana Buddhism these can be considered positive traits, representing release from the material world and the possibility of transcendence to a simpler life. As Mahayana philosophy emphasizes direct experience over verbal explanation, Wabi Sabi may be best understood in a non-verbal, experiential way. According to Richard Powell, "Wabi Sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect." Many forms of Japanese art have been influenced by Zen and Mahayana philosophy over the past thousand years. The contemplation and acceptance of imperfection, as well as the awareness of constant flux and impermanence, have been particularly important to Japanese arts and culture. Awareness of the transience of all things heightens appreciation of their beauty, and evokes a gentle sadness at their passing. So I'd been working on this mix for months - adding metallophonic cuts that caught my fancy - as a follow up to last year's Metallic Memories mix.  The mix got to over 3 hours - and I wasn't sure Dave would be amused.  They were all good pieces of music - but I thought maybe a tighter focus would make a more cohesive mix.  As I trimmed it down the Wabi Sabi theme seemed to fit the mood and I think makes a nice set.  I hope you agree."   Thanks for another fantastic mix, Daniel.   Cheers!   [ s t r e a m ]    [ d o w n l o a d ]    [ a p p l e _ p o d c a s t s ]   T R A C K L I S T : 00:00   Anaamaly - I Am Inspired by Possibility (Urban Metta, Vol. 2 2017) 06:10   Masayoshi Fujita - As Dusk Falls(Feat. NATURE) (As Dusk Falls 2025) 09:45   Luis Miehlich & Marty Hicks - Upon the Winds of Change (Reflections Vol. 2) 14:15   Zheleznyak - Water Talk (Attenuated In Ambient) 18:42   CSillagkod - Kettoscsillag (Silent World 2014) 21:55   Jogging House - Fingers (The Ambient Zone: Collection 006 2020) 25:45   Steve Good - Infinite Rainbows (Arise, Decay, Sustain, Release 2024) 32:05   Robot Koch - Kassel(Foam and Sand rework) (The Next Billion Years - Foam and Sand reworks 2022) 36:00   Marsen Jules - Yara 4 (Yara 2009) 43:10   Tapes and Topographies - Holograms (Partial Holograms 2025) 47:50   Heavenchord - Field Recordings #19 (Field Recordings #4 2022) 56:05   Calm Whale - Flower of Transformation (Flower of Transformation 2025) 65:17   end

Ep. 233 | In the last episode of the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Hameed explores the themes he introduced in the later chapters of his new book, The Inner Beloved. Hameed clarifies the role of mind on the path of heart (the mind is bedazzled and awed; the heart open), and details what happens when we reach the beloved, like “falling in love with everything” and experiencing the absolute as a “coming home” (even though there's no one there!). We learn that, on the path of love, no matter what we do or don't do, a heart-driven force beyond the mind is pulling us onward. Once we arrive, we realize the beloved has always been there—which is why our heart has been longing for the beloved all along.Hameed explains that on the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy—reality itself is pure intimacy, he says—and in fact, the nonbeingness of the beloved is the ultimate truth of reality. In a state of mystical poverty, we discover that all we are and have ever been has been borrowed from the beloved. The culmination of this Path of Love Series ends very beautifully, the love and intimacy of the beloved pervading Hameed's words and the images he conjures for us. “The world is simply the luminosity of the beloved,” Hameed says. In listening to him, we share in some of the wonderful sense of coming home he experienced, a little of the radiant luminosity, too, and his own ongoing excitement over the ever unfolding mystery of the divine. Recorded April 9, 2026.“We can be in the lap of the beloved and still enjoy life—loving everything from that place.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing the 4th dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, focusing on the role of mind and the culmination of the path (00:49)On the path of love you are heart-driven by forces that mind cannot fathom (01:39)Hameed's experience of falling in love with everything and experiencing the absolute as if “coming home” (03:00)The mind is bedazzled by the Mystery and recognizes its limitation in relation to the heart (08:20)When you get there, you realize the beloved has always been there (11:46)Emptiness beyond normal emptiness: Hameed calls this “absence” (13:05)The great liberation: where there's nothing more to dissolve (17:18)As we are pulled, the love deepens & intensifies; we drown in the passion (22:06)Mystical poverty: the soul recognizes all of its qualities are borrowed from the beloved (25:05)What is right relationship between the realized heart and a healthy mind? (25:51)Krishnamurti would talk about no mind—but he was always using mind (28:40)Cutting through illusion & Hameed's transmission from Manjushri (30:29)True mind: knowing in the moment (38:43)Dissolving dichotomies into wholeness: the world is simply the luminosity of the beloved (43:31)The ultimate truth of reality: the nonbeingness of the beloved (50:21)When tantra is enhanced by real love, then you can dissolve into the vastness (53:30)Stabilizing the realization is the second stage, actualizing the realization and not going back to the “doer” is the third stage (58:51)The dissolution of self doesn't necessarily last: humility is an important step towards making the realization more constant (01:00:46) Nonbeing is the essence of intimacy: being completely one with the inner beloved (01:03:43)On the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy; reality itself is pure intimacy (01:06:22)For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed's book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued in June 2026.Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityPrevious Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart, Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into Bliss: The Ecstasy of Ego DeathKabir, Indian mystic and poet, Songs of KabirRumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and LongingFakhr al-Din Iraqi, Persian Sufi poet, Divine FlashesSt. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the SoulKrishnamurti, Indian spiritual figure, speaker, and writerManjushri, bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom, wielding the sword of discriminationAvalokiteśvara, principle bodhisattva in Buddhism, associated with Great CompassionVajrapāṇi, principal bodhisattva in Mahayana & Vajrayana Buddhism, embodying the condensed power, energy, and strength of all the BuddhasJigme Lingpa, a central figure in the Nyingma School of Tibetan BuddhismProclus, Neoplatonic philosopher who hierarchically structures all levels of reality, including the complex subdivisions of the intellectHuston Smith, “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder,” from Beyond the Post-Modern Mind---Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount...

In which The Pali Text Society should be given Manatta (discipline) three dots.

Tracy Gibbs’s gives her second Shuso talk on “Expressing the Dharma Through Language and Silence.” This is the  seventh talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” series referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Tracy is giving this first shuso talk on Earth Day on “Connecting with the Tide of Dharma.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-7-Tracy-Grubbs-Shuso-Talk-2.mp3

Norman gives his sixth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” to the EDZ All Day Sitting at Green Gulch Farms referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-6-All-Day-Sitting-May-2026.mp3

Norman gives his fifth talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-5.mp3

Wrapping up Probation; Expiration of the Night

Tracy Gibbs’s gives her first Shuso talk on “Connecting With the Tide of Dharma.” This is the  fourth  talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” series referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Tracy is giving this first shuso talk on Earth Day on “Connecting with the Tide of Dharma.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Shuso-Earthday-Talk-Tracy-Grubbs.mp3

In Soviet Russia, Dharma Wheel turns you!

In Part 2 of this episode, I continue giving my "2,500 years' worth of Buddhist texts in a nutshell," an overview of texts in my Zen lineage. In Part 1 I explained what makes a Buddhist text considered legitimate enough to be passed down through the ages. I also introduced the idea of a Buddhist family tree and discussed the original Buddhist canon, the rising of the Mahayana, and the Mahayana sutras. In this episode I cover Mahayana philosophers, Chinese Chan literature, and the writings of two of the main Japanese Zen ancestors in my lineage.

Norman gives his third talk on the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.”  Asvaghosha's text, translated into Chinese in 500 AD, was written as a comprehensive summary of the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. We study it as deep background on the principles that animate Suzuki Roshi's teaching in his book “Becoming Yourself.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-3.mp3

In this lecture Sangharakshita shows how the symbolism of ritual offerings originated in the Hinayana and Mahayana, and later flowered with the Tantric offerings, particularly the offering of the Mandala. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice as part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment, 1972. *** 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

In which we meet Kālasiddhi, of the town where wool is steeped.

Bernd Bender, Dharma talk on March 6 2026 at Akazienzendo Berlin“Everything conceived as self or other occurs in the transformation of consciousness.” While hiking through the Sahara Desert, Bernd recalled this teaching by Vasubandhu. In the desert, there is a desert-being; back in Berlin, there is a Berlin-being. This, according to Bernd, is one way to understand Vasubandhu's verse: we cannot step outside of consciousness. We do not experience the world as such—we experience consciousness. And precisely for that reason, we are not separate from what we call the world, things, or others. Consciousness is not something small, hidden inside our heads. It is unlimited—and yet we struggle to believe that. Bernd explores this teaching of “consciousness-only,“ which he also calls the “big bang of the Mahayana.” He explains the three aspects of consciousness: ālaya, or store consciousness; the consciousness of a self; and sensory consciousness. He also presents the teaching of the three natures—imagined nature, other-dependent nature, and realized nature—as three aspects present in every moment of experience, and connects all of this to the practice of resting in the field of mind.Support the show

Norman gives his first talk in the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.” Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-2.mp3

In which it's better to commit multiple crimes than just one

Norman gives his first talk in the “Awakening  of Faith in the Mahayana” referencing the book “The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosa.” https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Awakening-of-Faith-in-Mahayana-Talk-1.mp3

The Buddha's Last Teaching: Impermanence & ParinirvāṇaIn this episode, we explore one of the most meaningful and human moments in all of Buddhism: the Buddha's final days, his final teachings, and what his parinirvāṇa (his final passing or 'final Nirvana') really means for us today.We'll walk through the Buddha's last journey to Kuśinagara, the touching conversations he had with Ānanda, and the Saṅgha, and the powerful guidance he offered even while facing the end of his life. His final message, which is that all conditioned things are impermanent, and that we must strive with diligence, becomes a living reminder of how to practice right now, in our everyday lives.You'll also learn how Theravada and Mahayana understand parinirvāṇa.For example, Theravāda emphasizes the historical Buddha's final passing and the importance of the Dharma as our guide. In contrast, Mahāyāna adds the perspective of the Buddha's three bodies (trikāya) and explains why awakened bodhisattvas attain nirvāṇa but choose not to enter parinirvāṇa, remaining in the world out of compassion for all beings.This episode is both a teaching and a reflection. It's an invitation to look closely at impermanence, to appreciate the preciousness of this moment, and to carry the Buddha's final encouragement into your own practice.Contact Alan: ⁠alanpeto.com/contact⁠Podcast Homepage: ⁠alanpeto.com/podcast⁠Podcast Disclaimer: ⁠alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer⁠

This is the first in a five part series by Padmavajra on all aspects of the Metta Bhavana practice and 'The Great Love' in Buddhist discourse and practice - from metta (loving kindness) itself to Bodhichitta. His starting point here is to source notions of love in traditional teaching from the Pali Canon and in the great Mahayana sutras. A refreshing take on metta and how to cultivate it in your life. Excerpted from the talk entitled Introducing the Great Love given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004. *** 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

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukFinding Inner Peace: Do You Need to Be a Buddhist?Host: Steven Webb Website: stevenwebb.ukHave you ever caught yourself collecting meditation apps, lining up Buddhist statues on a shelf, and wondering if you're doing peace wrong? In this honest Sunday morning episode — recorded while recovering from an operation and still on painkillers — Steven asks a question that quietly nags at a lot of seekers: do you actually need to call yourself a Buddhist to find inner peace?Steven traces his own path from collecting the accessories of Buddhism to hitting rock bottom at forty, when inner peace stopped being a nice idea and became something he genuinely needed. What he found was that suffering doesn't come from life itself — it comes from our relationship to it. The clinging. The resistance. The stories we tell ourselves about what should be happening instead of what is.Drawing on Alan Watts's famous reminder that "the menu is not the meal," Steven makes a gentle but clear distinction: the label, the tradition, the institution — that's the menu. The direct experience of stillness, right where you are — that's the meal. He also explores Jun Po Denis Kelly's Mondo Zen approach, where awakening isn't reserved for monasteries but happens in ordinary, messy, everyday life.Along the way, Steven touches on the different branches of Buddhism — Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan, Zen — and points out that the core practices of meditation, mindful awareness, and compassion don't ask you to believe in anything at all. He shares one of his favourite insights: that every one of us interprets reality differently through our own senses and brain — and understanding that simple fact is where real compassion begins.Steven's conclusion? He's not a Buddhist. Not really a Christian either. But the teachings of compassion, understanding, and love that run through all traditions? Those he agrees with completely. And the world, he says, could use a lot more of all three.Key TakeawaysSuffering comes from our relationship to life, not from life itself. It's the clinging and the resistance that create the pain, not the circumstances.The menu is not the meal. Labels, traditions, and institutions point toward inner peace — but they aren't the experience itself. Direct stillness is.You don't need to be a Buddhist to practise Buddhism's core teachings. Meditation, mindful awareness, and compassion require no belief system.Awakening happens in ordinary life. Jun Po Denis Kelly's Mondo Zen reminds us that you don't need a monastery — you need honesty and presence, right where you are.We all experience reality differently. Understanding that each person's brain interprets the world in its own way is the beginning of genuine compassion.Enlightenment isn't a permanent state. There are more enlightened moments and less enlightened moments — and that's perfectly fine.Compassion is the common ground. Across every tradition, the call is the same: more understanding, more love, more kindness.Thank You to Our SupportersNew monthly supporters: Stephen, Kaylin, AllisonOne-time supporters: Femke, Hannah, Andrew, Tracy, Helen, Tiffany Lynn, Gem, Ulysses, Anonymous, Suta, Jess, Leigh, Gerit, Cheryl, KrysiaYour generosity keeps this podcast going — thank you.Stay curious, and I love you.Steven

In this talk Mary reflects on the Mahayana idea of bodhicitta. At it's heart, it is the idea of an awakened mind and an aspiration to awaken and experience an end of suffering both for ourselves and for all. And why not?Recorded March 7, 2026 in the virtual worldSend me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks.Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004.00:00:00 Rinpoche leads the motivation and protector prayers.00:26:00 Rinpoche gives a commentary on a quote from Lama Tsongkhapa about giving up the essenceless activities, like casting the husk, and practicing Dharma.00:51:00 Rinpoche explains the meaning dag nyen - all sentient beings being one's kin.00:57:35 From beginningless rebirths, every sentient being has cherished us more than themselves, especially when being our mother, suffering numberless times for our well-being, happiness, and even our education, creating so much negative karma due to not having Dharma wisdom. Even those who abuse us in this life have done this numberless times, and they continuously suffer in the lower realms without even one second of freedom from samsaric suffering, so we must generate compassion and loving kindness towards them.01:36:15 All the Buddhas and bodhisattvas whom I pray to, follow, who inspire me, all the rest of the Mahayana path realizations come from suffering sentient beings.01:50:50 Rinpoche leads the analytical meditation on taking responsibility to free suffering sentient beings and generating bodhicitta.01:54:10 Rinpoche explains the importance of Highest Yoga Tantra in achieving enlightenment.02:19:50 According to Lama Tsongkhapa tradition, integrating Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamaja and Yamantaka makes it possible to achieve enlightenment quicker.Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This is a new version of one of our first episodes, that I remade because the sound was a bit harsh and uneven when I started the podcast. I also added a few elements to the script. In this bedtime story, I tell you all about Buddhism: the beliefs and culture of Ancient India; the life of Siddartha Gautama, the historical Buddha; how Buddhism spread in Asia; the differences between various Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Zen, Tibetan or Tantric Buddhism...); and I explain a lot of terms that you might have encountered without knowing their full meanings, like Vedas, Karma, Middle Way, Samsara, Tantra and Mantra. #sleep #bedtimestory #asmr #sleepstory #history #buddhism #buddhist Welcome to Lights Out Library Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax, and fall asleep to documentary-style bedtime stories read in a calming ASMR voice. Learn something new while you enjoy a restful night of sleep. Listen ad free and get access to bonus content on our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/LightsOutLibrary621⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy my audiobook on Ancient Egyptian History, Myths & Mysteries: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6mCqX5FoO6uCilrWCS8mB9?si=e1ecb983d2534d69⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LightsOutLibraryov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ¿Quieres escuchar en Español? Echa un vistazo a La Biblioteca de los Sueños! En Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1t522alsv5RxFsAf9AmYfg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-biblioteca-de-los-sue%C3%B1os-documentarios-para-dormir/id1715193755⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LaBibliotecadelosSuenosov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this talk, Kisei explores the Bodhisattva path as a life oriented toward love for the world and responsiveness to suffering. Drawing on Mahayana teachings, Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva, and contemporary reflections, she distinguishes between boundless compassion as our true nature and active compassion as a practice we cultivate. Introducing the “five compassions”—wise, fierce, patient, joyful, and unified—Kisei offers practical guidance for living the Bodhisattva vow with discernment, humility, and sustainability, while avoiding the pitfalls of burnout, righteousness, and pity. The talk invites practitioners to embody compassion in ways that are grounded, aligned, and responsive to real conditions. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this retreat talk, Jogen explores love, yielding, and aimlessness as essential dimensions of Zen practice. Beginning with love as the ground of awakening—from kindness toward oneself to devotion to ending suffering—he offers practical guidance for integrating warmth, relaxation, and embodied presence into meditation. The talk unpacks distraction and return as the natural texture of practice, introduces the Mahayana teachings of signlessness, wishlessness, and aimlessness, and points to how releasing the habit of striving opens timelessness and freedom. Throughout, Jogen emphasizes sincere effort, deep yielding to the present moment, and the way an awakened heart-mind naturally interpermeates and benefits the wider world. This is talk 3 of the 2026 Dharma Gates retreat at Great Vow. ★ Support this podcast ★

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We first hear from a member of the community about how he is experiencing and responding to what's happening in the larger society and world in our times. We then fairly briefly review last week's session, first identifying the three traditional areas of training--in wisdom, meditation, and ethics--and how each can be important resources for responding to what's happening in our own experience and in our society and world. We focus especially on reviewing our exploration of "ethical practice," responding in our everyday lives and in the larger society and world in caring and compassionate ways. We then explore the traditional figure of the bodhisattva as one who brings together deep commitments both to awakening and to helping others--helping others both in awakening and in terms of their life needs. We look at examples of bodhisattva vows from Theravada, Japanese Zen, and Vietnamese traditions, as well as from passages from Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." We show images of archetypal bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Tara, Kwan Yin, and Manjushri and discuss the ten ways of training of the Mahayana bodhisattva. We suggest a number of contemporary exemplars of the bodhisattva vocation, and invite participants to develop their own personalized bodhisattva vows. The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We first hear from a member of the community about how he is experiencing and responding to what's happening in the larger society and world in our times. We then fairly briefly review last week's session, first identifying the three traditional areas of training--in wisdom, meditation, and ethics--and how each can be important resources for responding to what's happening in our own experience and in our society and world. We focus especially on reviewing our exploration of "ethical practice," responding in our everyday lives and in the larger society and world in caring and compassionate ways. We then explore the traditional figure of the bodhisattva as one who brings together deep commitments both to awakening and to helping others--helping others both in awakening and in terms of their life needs. We look at examples of bodhisattva vows from Theravada, Japanese Zen, and Vietnamese traditions, as well as from passages from Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." We show images of archetypal bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Tara, Kwan Yin, and Manjushri and discuss the ten ways of training of the Mahayana bodhisattva. We suggest a number of contemporary exemplars of the bodhisattva vocation, and invite participants to develop their own personalized bodhisattva vows. The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We first hear from a member of the community about how he is experiencing and responding to what's happening in the larger society and world in our times. We then fairly briefly review last week's session, first identifying the three traditional areas of training--in wisdom, meditation, and ethics--and how each can be important resources for responding to what's happening in our own experience and in our society and world. We focus especially on reviewing our exploration of "ethical practice," responding in our everyday lives and in the larger society and world in caring and compassionate ways. We then explore the traditional figure of the bodhisattva as one who brings together deep commitments both to awakening and to helping others--helping others both in awakening and in terms of their life needs. We look at examples of bodhisattva vows from Theravada, Japanese Zen, and Vietnamese traditions, as well as from passages from Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." We show images of archetypal bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Tara, Kwan Yin, and Manjushri and discuss the ten ways of training of the Mahayana bodhisattva. We suggest a number of contemporary exemplars of the bodhisattva vocation, and invite participants to develop their own personalized bodhisattva vows. The talk is followed by discussion.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna covers one of the meditation methods for cultivating Bodhicitta known as Equalizing oneself with others. He offers approachable steps for engaging in the brief and extensive versions of this meditation that encourage the core motivation of the Mahayana path. This episode was recorded on December 17th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

While a Mahayana text, The Way of the Bodhisattva encodes tantric teachings about harnessing the creative sexual energy. Literally the seminal force in Tibetan Buddhist tantric texts, bodhichitta is the power of awakening enlightened compassion through selfless love, especially within a perfect matrimony. In other words, bodhichitta is the power of ennobled or chaste sexuality, whereby dense desires are transformed into unlikely and impactful virtues: generosity, altruism, ethics, patience, diligence, concentration, meditative serenity, and wisdom, otherwise known as the paramitas or perfections of a genuine spiritual master. It is also the fuel by which real faith is generated—the direct spiritual experience of divine, ultimate reality—which inspires any initiate to serve and sacrifice for humanity. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/bodhichitta-alchemical-medicine-for-the-soul

In this episode, we explore the Six Paramitas, the “perfections” that form the gradual training path of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. From generosity and ethical discipline to patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom, each Paramita is both a practice and an antidote to the obstacles that keep us bound to suffering.We look at how the Paramitas align with the Eightfold Path, why Mahayana emphasizes them as the Bodhisattva's toolkit, and how they embody the vow to liberate all beings before oneself. Along the way, we uncover what these perfections mean in daily life and how anyone can begin applying them, not as distant ideals but as practical steps toward compassion, clarity, and transformation.By the end, you will see how the Six Paramitas offer a gradual, cumulative path, a way to cultivate enlightened qualities step by step while carrying others with you across the shore of liberation.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Lama Zopa Rinpoche reads some verses from Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo's Calling the Guru from Afar and discusses the meaning. He talks about the rarity of finding a precious human body and meeting the Dharma. In every second, you have the unmistaken choice to either create the cause to be born in hell or to achieve enlightenment. Having this incredible opportunity is only due to the kindness of the guru.Rinpoche says that all happiness comes from bodhicitta. Whatever way we can benefit others, we must do it. To illustrate, he gives the example of a van that Roger bought, and they covered with mantras, images of deities, and Dharma messages. In this way, whoever sees, touches, remembers, or dreams of this van purifies all their sufferings and achieves enlightenment.Rinpoche says that there's nobody to work for except other sentient beings. To free them from all suffering and bring them to enlightenment, you first need to achieve the omniscient mind and then full enlightenment. To do that, you need to actualize the steps of the path to enlightenment. Rinpoche explains that this means not just meditating on what you like and leaving aside what you don't like, such as the lower realm sufferings or impermanence and death. Without renunciation of samsara, you cannot realize compassion and bodhicitta. Thus, you cannot enter the Mahayana path.Having the realization of bodhicitta is not enough, one must also realize emptiness through dependent arising. Rinpoche says that the borderline of existing and not existing is extremely subtle. Phenomena exist in mere name, merely imputed by mind. He says that the analysis of emptiness is completed when one realizes the unification of emptiness and dependent arising. If it comes to this point of realizing the subtle dependent arising, then your realization of emptiness is correct. If it doesn't lead to this point—if it leads to either nihilism or externalism—that is not realizing the Middle Way view.From April 10 to May 10, 2004, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave extensive teachings during the Mahamudra Retreat at Buddha House in Australia. While the retreat focused on Mahamudra, Rinpoche also taught on a wide range of Lamrim topics. This retreat marked the beginning of a series of month-long retreats in Australia. Subsequent retreats were held in 2011, 2014, and 2018, hosted by the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo.Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

For as long as space endures And for as long as living beings remain Until then may I too abide To dispel the misery of the world. ―Shantideva Compassion and generosity are the hallmarks of the most elevated souls, fully manifested within beings like Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses, and all the prophets. The amazing fact is that such beings were once like us: filled with greed, envy, resentment, and all of the psychological contaminations and defects that make us suffer. What is also empowering is that we have the potential to become like these enlightened masters, whom in the east are known as bodhisattvas: "the essence or incarnation of wisdom," the latter word indicating Prajna in Sanskrit, or "vis-dom: the power of vision / perception." The equivalent Hebrew term is Chokmah חָכמָה, signifying Christ in the mystical Kabbalah. The essence of genuine spirituality is kindness, selfless service, and comprehension of the root nature of all existence: the unsurpassed wisdom of emptiness, Prajna, Śūnyatā, or uncreated light of the Kabbalists, denominated in Gnostic terms as Khristos, Christ. Christ is not a human person, but the intense, primordial root energy of boundless compassion for suffering beings trapped within cyclic or manifested existence. This divine force, the emptiness of enlightened cognizance, sustains all of the universe and sacrifices itself by entering within those practitioners who are properly cultivated and prepared through the great perfections or paramitas, the trainings, principles, or qualities of awakened consciousness within Tibetan Buddhism. Learn about the path of enlightenment through a gnostic exegesis of Shantideva's seminal Mahayana text, The Way of the Bodhisattva, and how the enlightened mind / heart of wisdom, bodhichitta, can be developed within the practitioner of any denomination, religion, or tradition. This lecture introduces Shantideva's text, the purpose and contexts of its composition, and its practical application within the art and science of meditation. The lecturer also explains how the mystical kabbalah and the gnostic tradition of Samael Aun Weor can elucidate the esoteric nature of this scripture. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/introduction-to-the-way-of-the-bodhisattva