Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

Today's FBA Dharmabyte continues our series on the Six Emphases of Triratna in a talk entitled "Team-Based Right Livelihood", from the talk "The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBO". Here Sangharakshita draws out the central importance of Right Livelihood in the spiritual life, in particular the Triratna model of team-based Right Livelihood businesses, and what the features of these endeavors should look like. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002.

Sangharakshita speaks to one of the central emphases of the Triratna Buddhist Community in today's FBA Dharmabyte podcast, expanding on the meaning of the phrase "Commitment is Primary, Lifestyle is Secondary". Excerpted from the talk "Twenty Years on the Middle Way", he explores our tradition's principle of an Order that places its weight on genuine Going for Refuge rather than the conditions a person was born into or lifestyle. Talk given in 1987.

Today's FBA Dharmabyte continues our series of podcasts on the Six Emphases of Triratna in a talk entitled "Unified, not Unisex". From the talk "The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBO", here Sangharakshita outlines the Triratna principle of open ordination to men and women on equal terms, and an Order that accepts those of all lifestyles, races, class and sexual orientation - a quite revolutionary stance in the Buddhist world. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002.

Viveka gives a great introduction to the meaning of Going for Refuge in today's FBA Dharmabyte entitled "Understanding Going for Refuge", continuing our exploration of the Six Emphases of Triratna. From the talk "Going for Refuge", she speaks to the question of what it is to look to the 'Three Jewels' as a response to our dissatisfaction. Talk given at San Francsisco Buddhist Center, 2006

Today's FBA Dharmabyte continues our exploration of the Six Emphases of Triratna in a talk entitled "Centrality of Going for Refuge". From the talk "The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBO", here Sangharakshita gets to the core of what unites all Buddhist traditions - the act of Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels. As such, the Triratna Community takes this as a central principle . Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002.

In today's FBA Dharmabyte Vishvapani's usual good-natured and reflective approach is just the thing to expand our look at Ecumenical Buddhism as he looks at how Sangharakshita's initiative in founding Triratna might be viewed in terms of the unity of Buddhism. Entitled  "Finding the Heart of the Dharma Traditions" this excerpt from the talk "Three Jewels Buddhism - Finding the Heart of the Dharma Traditions" continues our exploration of the Six Emphases of Triratna. Talk given at the national Order weekend, Wymondham College, March 2008

Today's FBA Dharmabyte introduces the first of the Six Emphases of Triratna in a talk entitled "Ecumenical Buddhism". From the talk "The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBO", here Sangharakshita explains that unlike many Buddhist lineages, Triratna critically engages with and draws from the depth and breadth of the whole Buddhist tradition. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002.

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

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

Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called The Buddha as Transcendental Guest from the talk The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice by Sangharakshita. In this lecture we are shown 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. From the talk The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment 1971.

Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Aligning yourself with the Karma Niyama from the talk Spiritual Death and Rebirth, a New Perspective On the Dharma Niyama by Subhuti. The stages of spiritual death and rebirth are key to the system of meditation, they represent the culimination and fulfilment of the Buddhas vision. During this talk given at Padmaloka Subhuti explains some new elements of Sangharakshitas thinking about how they relate to the Niyamas, particularly the Dharma niyama - exciting, and challenging stuff.

Are we ready to face our own death, and the total transformation it symbolises? Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Overcoming Fear by Sangharakshita. Fear, terror, and heroic virtues: the cremation ground as a symbol of transformation. Talk given in 1971. From the talk The Symbolism of the Cremation Ground and the Celestial Maidens, part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.

Love is a force affecting a miraculous transformation. Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Love and Emptiness by Padmavajra. 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. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004

Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Magic Rites. From the talk, The Symbolism of Colours and Mantric Sound, where Sangharakshita explores the rich symbolic significance of colour and sound, highlighting their role as crucial agents of transformation. The lecture concludes with a brief introduction to the figure of Manjughosha, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Talk given in 1971. This talk is part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.

It may not be fashionable to speak of visions and angels, but Ananda goes there by looking more deeply at our everyday experiences. Our FBA Dharmabyte today, a true gem, is called Seeing Stars is a short talk by Ananda in the session 'Intensity of engagement with the Dharma life', given on the European Order Gathering at Wymondham College, August 10 2013. The Theme of the gathering was 'Karma niyama in the service of the Dharma niyama'.