Podcasts about Sangha

What is ‘animism' and what kind of philosophy does it entail? Dhivan considers how animism rests on an intuition about the aliveness of the world, and how this intuition can inform a mode of philosophy that does not bypass the earth as the living presence behind all thinking. This talk was given at Adhisthana as part of the series Wisdom of the Earth: Philosophy and the Climate Crisis, 2023. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

How might we respond, as Buddhists, to the emerging environmental crises facing the planet? Gunopeta explores the implications of what happens when we open our hearts to our deep emotional response to these crises. With the aid of guided meditation, poetry, ritual, and our felt connection to nature and the holiness of place, we can learn to "touch the Earth with love." Excerpted from the talk Touching the Earth with Love given at Aryaloka Buddhist Center 2020. *** 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  

Mikey Livid discusses a practical approach to the often overly intellectualized Buddhist concepts of no self (anatta) and the five aggregates. The five aggregates are: form, feeling, perception, mental inclination, and consciousness. Enjoy!UPCOMING RETREATS:July 16th-20th Sewanee, TN - Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreatNov. 13th-16th - Southern Dharma Retreat Center - Get Your Mind Right!: https://southerndharma.org/retreat-schedule/1522/get-your-mind-right-a-young-peoples-retreat-on-the-four-great-efforts/ Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.orgDONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit:https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donateFollow Us on Socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildheartnashville/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartmeditation

06/21/2025, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at Tassajara.

11th June 2025 The meeting began with updates about a sick Sangha member and shared memories of Asha Ji - a vibrant 80-year-old spiritual woman who inspired those around her. The group discussed various spiritual experiences and stories, including temple foundations, volunteer work, and unexpected acts of kindness, while exploring themes of interconnectedness and unselfishness. The discussion concluded with teachings on awareness and self-realization, emphasizing the importance of detached observation and the experience of infinite space as a path to understanding one's connection to everything in the universe.These are teachings and pointers from ongoing NDA(Non-duality awareness)/Advaitic Satsangs held at Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Arunachala Ramanaya !

Due to technical recording and connectivity issues, portions of this video have been edited for continuity while preserving the original content and message.

The Buddha created the sangha, or community, of monastics, but his teaching spread to every level of society and we can each be part of a sangha. In this talk Mary discusses the ethical foundations of such a community and how we can create a wise and supportive community where we are. Recalling the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's idea that we "are tied together in a single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable net of mutuality" and Thich Nhat Hanh's idea of Interbeing, Mary invites us to reflect on community or sangha in our own lives.Recorded June 14, 2025 in the virtual worldBhikkhu Bodhi: The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony Larry Yang: Awakening TogetherSend 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.

Speaking through the decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s, Ram Dass shares his thoughts on Satsang, the community of seekers who come together in the pursuit of truth. This episode of Here and Now is a compilation of Ram Dass discussing community and Satsang across the decades. We begin in 1969, with Ram Dass exploring the power of the spiritual community, Satsang, as a protective and nurturing presence for those on the path. He shares how Satsang serves as a reference group without a physical form. “The universe that is Satsang,” he says, “is an inner universe, not an outer universe.”We move on to 1975, with Ram Dass reflecting on how the cultural despair of the 60s led people to band together out of a sense of spiritual need or purpose. He reflects on how these “spiritual reference groups” exist over time and space in all directions. “One begins to recognize members of one's group quite independent of geography and quite independent of time.” The next stop is 1986, with Ram Dass noting a growing maturity in the spiritual seekers he gathers with on his lecture tours. He discusses the various paths that bring people together in community and how we reassure each other through our presence for one another. “By reflecting back and forth between our hearts,” he says, “we strengthen our connection.”We fast forward to 1994, with Ram Dass discussing how the spiritual community is a mutual space for growth. He cautions that unless we meet in the deeper place of our beings together, the acts we do with one another will involve violence and exacerbate suffering. “Our art form is to cultivate this space and recognize that we are meeting in it, and share the essence of space behind the form.” Finally, we end in 2017, with a conversation between Ram Dass, Raghu Markus, and Rameshwar Das about how the deeply familial nature of Satsang is rooted in love and truth. They share stories about Ram Dass' guru brother, KK Sah, and the early days of Satsang in the West.The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. We invite you to join us and share your curiosities, insights, and wisdom. Sign up for the General Fellowship to receive event invitations directly in your inbox.Sponsors of this Episode:Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ramdass and get on your way to being your best self.This show is also sponsored by Magic Mind, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog, & fatigue. Get 60% off the Magic Mind your first subscription with our link: magicmind.com/ramdassmfReunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.org“It's just us humans together in the shelter of each other. This is what Satsang, or Sangha, is. This is it. This is the community of beings who are acknowledging that dual intention: You work on yourself as an offering to others, you work on others as a way of working on yourself. Circle's complete. And everything is part of that circle. All of it.” – Ram DassSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Referencing Sangharakshita's teaching on personal responsibility, Khemasuri shows how, through self-development and sangha, we can make a radical difference in the world. This talk was part of a two talk series entitled The Lion's Roar by Shakyapada and Khemasuri given at Triratna Buddhist Community York, 2019. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

06/11/2025, Rebecca Li, dharma talk at City Center. Dr. Rebecca Li explains how the practice of Silent Illumination is to actualize the Buddha's teachings to be free from suffering.

How can Buddhists respond to the climate emergency? Vishvapani uses the Parable of the Burning House from the Lotus Sutra to suggest our responsibilities' and finds the values we need to guide us in the Five Precepts. Excerpted from the talk Climate Precepts In The Burning House given in Cardiff, 2019. *** 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  

Ever feel like someone else's success means you're falling behind? You're not alone.In this episode, we explore the emotional trap of comparison—and how it often leads to scarcity thinking, self-doubt, and isolation. Whether you're a yoga teacher, creative, or entrepreneur, it's easy to wonder, “Am I doing enough?” But comparison, when left unchecked, can shrink our sense of possibility and worth.Instead, this episode invites a mindset shift: from competition to community, and from scarcity to shared abundance. You'll hear reflections on the yogic philosophy of aparigraha (non-attachment), the neuroscience of social comparison, and how genuine inspiration can rewire the brain for creativity and courage.With real-life metaphors (like running behind a pace-setter), affirmations, and somatic practices, this episode encourages you to celebrate others without dimming your own light. Because someone else's success isn't your loss—it's proof of what's possible.—-------—-------—-Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:02:23 Scarcity vs. Enoughness00:05:09 Shifting the Comparison Lens00:09:41 Yogic Philosophy: Aparigraha00:11:19 Science: Fear & the Brain00:14:48 Isolation vs. Collective Growth00:17:46 Real-Life Example: Physio Teamwork00:19:56 Comparison as Pace, Not Threat00:22:29 Sangha & Shared Success00:24:22 Hormones: Cortisol vs. Oxytocin00:25:17 Embodied Reflection Practice00:27:49 Reflective Questions00:30:20 Closing Meditation00:32:28 Bonus Reflections—-------—-------—-

In this episode, you will hear a Daily Reminder from Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim about a special breathing before meditation that is helpful to make the mind comfortable and wide, for vigorous health and improving the quality of life.Thank You very much Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim,hapchang,Gak Duk

In dieser Folge hörst Du ein Daily Reminder von Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim über eine besondere Atmung vor der Meditation, die hilfreich ist den Geist angenehm und weit zu machen, für eine kräftige Gesundheit und Verbesserung der Lebensqualität.Vielen Dank Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim,hapchang,Gak Duk

06/07/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the stories of our early women ancestors, Mahapajapati and Yasodhara.

Bhadra gave this talk as part of BAM 2018. He references David Loy's two icebergs and explores how we might revise the Triratana mandala of practice to strengthen our sense of interconnectedness with the world. Given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that the reason to have meetings is to help with wisdom. Many people have different ideas, so that helps generate a broader view.Rinpoche talks about the importance of Sangha as role models. He says learning the words is incredible, but without practice, it's like a tape-recorder. When someone has meditated on lamrim, they can teach with experience.Rinpoche introduces the main topic of discussion about caring for aged Sangha by suggesting that there should be several places organized in different countries rather than only one place. He then invites people to express their ideas. Eecie Hursthouse (director of Amitabha Hospice Service) discusses the three different needs of elderly Sangha (spiritual, physical, and social needs). Mary, a district nurse, talks about her experiences and the aged care support services available in Australia. Ven. Roger Kunsang talks about his preference to die alone. Ven. Tardo expresses her agreement with Ven. Roger. Ven. Yeshe Khadro gives some examples of people who have died and their experiences. Ven. Chonyi talks about the enormous variation in what people want when they're dying and the need for financial support. Ven. Lhundrup agrees with Ven. Roger and talks about the building facilities that older Sangha may require. Ven. Pende discusses the building facilities at Nalanda Monastery for the purpose of supporting aged Sangha. Several other speakers contribute to the discussion by sharing their personal experiences and suggestions.Following this, Rinpoche gives a presentation about how to have a peaceful death. He illustrates the importance of Dharma practice for a peaceful death by sharing several personal stories, including stories about Gen Jampa Wangdu and his realizations. Rinpoche says that protecting our karma during our lifetime is what makes death peaceful and fearless. Protecting our karma means not harming other sentient beings. Thus, the best preparation for death is to practice the good heart in everyday life.Rinpoche concludes by reminding students to meditate on how everything comes from the mind. This understanding will then lead to knowledge of what is a false view and what is a correct view. Rinpoche emphasizes that this is an extremely important meditation for both old and new students.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/

Dayajoti offers a short talk on climate change, relating it to basic buddhist teachings, followed by a guided 'climate' meditation. From the talk entitled Consensus Trance - Climate given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2015. *** 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  

Lokabandhu introduces the American Buddhist activist Joanna Macy and her teaching of the 'Work That Reconnects', part of the Southampton Buddhist Centre's series on 21st Century Bodhisattvas. Excerpted from the talk Introduction to Joanna Macy and the Work That Reconnects given in Southampton, 2018. *** 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  

How ethically sensitive are we? Could we rejoice in our ethical behaviour? Ratnaghosha gives a short talk reflecting on the practices described in the Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on the Ten Dhammas. Excerpted from the talk Going Forth, Going Beyond: Short Talks that was given at the Triratna Buddhist Order convention on the theme Going Forth, Going Beyond, 2022. *** 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  

Vaddhaka introduces David Loy and his thoughts about how to bring our Buddhist practice out into the streets and engage with the world. In the full talk he also introduces Bhikkhu Bodhi, a prolific translator of the Pali Canon and respected teacher in the East, deeply rooted in the Buddha's teachings, who returned to the USA and re-engaged with his activist roots challenging a self-oriented and withdrawn mode of Buddhist practice. From the talk entitled David Loy and Bhikkhu Bodhi, given on the World on Fire retreat at Adhisthana, 2015. *** 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  

This episode is about the difficulties of a couple relationship and about men and women and really knowing each other.You will hear a Daily Reminder from Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim,Thank you very much

In dieser Folge geht es um die Schwierigkeiten einer Paarbeziehung und um Männer und Frauen und um wirkliches Kennen einander.Du hörst dazu ein Daily Reminder von Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim,Vielen Dank

In this episode I make the case for accommodations for people with physical challenges, even in sesshin, and then describe a number of tried and tested ways Sanghas can do this. I finish by talking about how to negotiate with a Sangha if you are someone with physical challenges and hope to be accommodated, particularly in the practice of intensive retreat.

(Gaia House)

Dave Smith discusses the ever growing expansion of social media's "attention economy" into what has become an addiction economy. Dave explores Buddhist practices as a way to approach modern addiction to social media. Enjoy!Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreat  Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.orgDONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit:https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donateFollow Us on Socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildheartnashville/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartmeditation

How can we, in our busy, everyday lives, transform our awareness and turn our minds towards awakening? Paranita talks about the practice of the 'Four Mind Turning Reflections', the four reminders that work on our minds to turn them towards liberation. We will hear about how to reflect on the preciousness of our human life, the inevitability of death, the truth of karma and the dangers of samsara, to bring about a radical shift in awareness. Excerpted from the talk Ready Or Not, One Day We Shall Die given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2025. *** 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  

Smritiratna portrays rejoicing not as a mood but as a choice: a deliberate act. At least potentially we all have the power to rejoice, even when we are in the pits of despair. In this excerpt, he reflects on Beethoven who chose not to give in to deafness but to end his last symphony with an ode to joy. He sings the fifth section of the Sevenfold Puja ‘Rejoicing in Merits' to Beethoven's familiar tune. Excerpted the from the talk The Power of Rejoicing given at Dhanakosha Retreat Centre, 2024. *** 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  

This Dhamma talk was offered on May 24, 2025 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Prajnahridaya explores Awareness of Reality, but not in a way you might expect. What if seeing the truth were less about ‘understanding' reality, and more about coming into relation with and opening up to what we might experience as a living spiritual force? Through the course of the evening we will be becoming more aware of the Buddha, who is himself reality. Prajnahridaya will be speaking quite personally about his encounters with the Buddha whilst on pilgrimage in India, as well as practices that can allow the loving influence of the Buddha to enter more into our lives and transform us. Talk given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

We asked not too long ago in the chat on our Substack community – which you can find at DanHarris.com – about what kinds of things you'd find useful as Friday bonus episodes, and one of the things we heard was: more guided meditations, please. So today, we are happy to oblige with this short meditation that I led, as part of our semi-regular live gatherings of the Renegade Sangha on Substack. Twice a month, paid subscribers are invited to join me, live, for a little guided meditation, then I take your questions. It's been so much fun to hear from you, and to help you hear from each other.  Today's guided meditation is taken from our sangha gathering on April 23. It's super simple and good for both beginners and experienced meditators alike.  If you enjoyed that and would like more opportunities to meditate together, here's what we've got coming up for you in June:  on the podcast, we're bringing back our series Get Fit Sanely, where we talk about how to take care of your body without losing your mind – you'll hear about nutrition, exercise, rest, and more, all with a lens of self-compassion and we're super excited about this: friend of the pod and ace meditation teacher Cara Lai will be creating a month of bespoke meditations, each one tailored to an episode of the podcast, exclusively for paid subscribers at DanHarris.com. This is something we've been wanting to offer for a long time and I'm thrilled that we're finally doing it. Visit DanHarris.com for all the details

05/21/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the theme of True Refuge as reorientation and wholehearted dedication to awakening, truth and love.

Nearly half of the Republic of Congo's dense rainforests are protected under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) framework to receive climate finance payments, but Mongabay Africa staff writer Elodie Toto's recent investigation revealed the nation has also granted nearly 80 gold mining and exploration permits in areas covered by the project, driving deforestation and negatively impacting local people and wildlife. As the world scrambles for new sources of gold during these uncertain economic times, she joins the podcast to explain what her Pulitzer Center-supported reporting uncovered: "It was beyond words, if I may say. I could see people using excavators to uproot trees. I could see them washing the earth and it basically looked [like] a war zone," Toto says on this episode of the podcast. Toto is also part of Mongabay Africa's team producing a new French-language podcast, Planète Mongabay, and discusses how the program makes environmental news more accessible to audiences who often prefer to get their news via audio or video. Subscribe to or follow theMongabay Newscast wherever you listen to podcasts, from Apple to Spotify, and you can also listen to all episodes here on the Mongabay website. Cover image: An excavator digs for gold at the Alangong-Bamegod-Inès mining site in the Sangha. According to environmentalist Justin Chekoua, “nothing seems to be done” to preserve biodiversity at the site. Image by Elodie Toto for Mongabay. ---- Timecodes (00:00) Rainforest given over to gold mining (10:17) Curious connections & justifications (17:34) The law of the land (22:03) In plain sight (25:33) Planète Mongabay

Jvalamalini shares personally about her ‘quest for love' in the Buddhist life, specifically what does Mara say to her to divert her from the path? And is it true? Excerpted from the talk 'I Am a Serious Dharma Practitioner Dedicated to Love' given at Taraloka Retreat Centre as part of the series Daughters of the Buddha, 2025. *** 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  

Let's hear it for the early Buddhist women! Mahajapapati was the first Buddhist nun and leader of the women's ordained sangha, and her two chief disciples were Khema and Uppalavanna. Maitrisiddhi explores some challenging material - and also very inspiring texts around the beginning of the bhikkhuni sangha. The talk also features Mara - the embodiment of everything that holds us back. How do we free ourselves from his insidious whispers? Talk given at Taraloka Retreat Centre as part of the series Daughters of the Buddha, 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

Welcome to episode 89 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino look at one of the foundational teachings of Buddhism: the Three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The Buddha is the teacher who, through his own direct experience, found the path to liberation from suffering. The Dharma refers to the teachings and practices that lead to awakening. The Sangha is the community that supports and transmits the Dharma. Their conversation emphasizes the Sangha's importance as the community that keeps the Buddha’s teachings alive and relevant; the need for communities rooted in the Dharma, with clear practices and guidelines to provide refuge and support spiritual transformation; and more. As usual, the hosts provide examples from their own experiences, as well as stories by or involving Thich Nhat Hanh. Enjoy! Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/  And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Donate to support Plum Village’s reconstruction https://plumvillage.org/donate Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing Sister Chan Khonghttps://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khongSister Chan Duchttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-chan-duc Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962-1966https://plumvillage.org/books/1998-neo-ve-cua-y-fragrant-palm-leavesNalanda mahaviharahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda_mahavihara Buddhahoodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood Dharma Talks: ‘The Five Skandhas of Grasping and Non-Self​'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-five-skandhas-of-grasping-and-non-self%E2%80%8B-dharma-talk-by-br-phap-lai-2018-06-08 Old Path White Cloudshttps://plumvillage.org/books/old-path-white-clouds-2 ‘The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings'https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/the-14-mindfulness-trainings Wake Up Networkhttps://plumvillage.org/community/wake-up-young-practitioners Vinayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinaya The Hermit and the Wellhttps://plumvillage.org/books/hermit-and-the-well Quotes “When we talk about the first jewel, the Buddha, we have to understand that each and every one of us has Buddha nature.” “Where’s my Buddha nature? My Buddha nature is my mindfulness shining in, shining out, shining near, shining far.” “The relationship between teacher and student is companionship on the path. If a teacher understands that his true belonging and his true continuation is his students, then he would do everything in his, her, or their capacity to transmit their wisdom. So the Buddha Jewel is to acknowledge that this tradition has a root teacher. And it comes from direct experience and embraces and embodies the awakened nature that each and every one of us has. A good teacher, a good Buddha, can allow us to touch our Buddha nature.” “Buddhism doesn’t mean ignoring your own traditional religious roots. And, as it’s not considered a religion, that Buddha nature can exist alongside your religious history. So if you’re Jewish or Christian, you don’t need to say, ‘Oh, I’m a Buddhist'; you can continue with your own traditions. And Thay said that it’s so important to stay rooted in your traditions, because that is your individual ancestry. And buddhahood doesn’t contradict that, doesn’t overlay it, but actually comes alongside it to support it.” “Our faith drives our practice. And our practice and the insights we get from our practice drive our faith.” “Buddha nature is ever-growing. It is very organic, it is conditioned.”

05/14/2025, Tatsudo Nicole Baden, dharma talk at City Center. Tatsudo Nicole Baden explores two foundational Buddhist perspectives: that everything changes (impermanence) and that everything is interconnected (interdependence).

We are continually being bombarded with news about world problems including war, starvation, violence, inequality, climate destruction etc. One response is to just ignore these problems. Sangharakshita argues that ‘an attitude of withdrawal from public concerns to purely personal ones is not worthy of a human being'. Vimaladasa explores how we as Buddhists can bring a voice of sanity and compassion into the world and act accordingly. Excerpted from the talk entitled A Buddhist Perspective On World Problems given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2025. *** 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  

In the fourth part of a series of talks about the 'Going for Refuge and Prostration Practice of the Buddha Shakyamuni', Vajratara shifts the perspective from us contemplating the Refuge Tree, to the figures on the Refuge Tree contemplating us. Blessings or adhisthana is the way the Buddha responds to us, and all we have to do is tune in. How do we remain receptive? What does it feel like to be blessed and purified? What are we purified of? From the talk Contemplating the Refuge Tree 4: The Sprinkling of the Deathless given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2022. *** 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  

In this talk Suddhayu explores images from the Fire Sermon and the Parable of the Burning House in relation to the current political climate in the USA. From a Buddhist perspective, the world is always on fire — and sometimes it feels like the heat gets turned up. He uses the theme of 'Going Forth from Samsara' to speak about personal transformation and a compassionate response to the suffering of others. This talk was given on Sangha Night at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, Newmarket NH USA, 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every 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  

Norman gives a dharma talk to the Mountain Rain Sangha on "Dongshan Stories" regarding several koans of this venerable Zen teacher. 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/2025/05/Dongshan-Stories-Mountain-Rain-Sangha-5_3_25.mp3

Greg interviews Phra Pandit about Buddhist monks and politics.  Greg begins by framing the issue around the recent tumultuous nature of politics around the world. Could Buddhist calmness provide an answer?  Well, Phra Pandit begins by making clear that under the rules of the Sangha as interpreted in Thailand, monks are definitely not permitted to become politicians or really work for the government in any capacity.  In fact, Thai monks in general are not supposed to even express opinions about politics as monks are seen as above the worldly nature of politics. Phra Pandit does note however that not every country is the same. In Sri Lanka, monks are notoriously political, forming their own parties, and participating in marches and protests. Phra Pandit explains that different cultures have resulted in the rules governing monks being interpreted in different ways.  In Thailand, technically the King is the head of Thai Buddhism, and the King of course is above politics.  Perhaps this role model helps to explain the Thai interpretation of the rules. Phra Pandit does explain, however, that famous politicians have become monks upon leaving politics, as a symbolic way of atoning for their sins. The two continue with more examples of how monks interact with the government without getting directly involved in political affairs.

This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2025.05.02 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/4l0UZkRRByU?si=BFydHSyWx9iIQt33&t=1920. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2025.05.01 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/mLz131oF2n0?si=STtHwcSz5mTEcU1O&t=1907. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2025.04.30 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/01TNFTkFZo0?si=ED8yocnBiOZGSZ-a&t=1863. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2025.04.29 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2025.04.28 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License