The plant just needs to grow, it doesn’t need to know what kind of plant it is. We need to make an effort to grow, we need to apply the teachings of the Dharma, to give, be kind, communicate openly and warmly. Although simple practices, these practices can really change us profoundly. Here Amoghavajra introduces the Parable of the Rain Cloud from t…

Vadanya explores the parable of 'The Return Journey' in the White Lotus Sutra. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Return Journey given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2008. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio…

In his stirring way, Guhyavajra recounts the parable of the burning house and offers his reflections on its relevance to our lives now. Excerpted from the talk entitled Escape from the Burning House, part of the series The Burning House - an Image from the White Lotus Sutra given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes p…

When insight arises we feel that it has come of its own accord. Once upon a time a young man abandoned his father and went to live in another country... Akashamitra re-examines the eternal allegory for our times. Excerpted from the talk Myth of the Return Journey as part of the series Myths and Parables From the White Lotus Sutra given at London Bu…

A father, now wealthy, spots his long-lost son in the streets. He gradually befriends him until he has the self-confidence to take on his inheritance. Akashadevi introduces the parable from the Lotus Sutra which yields fascinating lessons in accepting the riches of our deepest nature. A talk for the West London Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Subscribe …

Jnanavaca kicks off a new seminar series exploring the myths and parables of the glorious White Lotus Sutra. Here he unpacks the wisdom of the parable of the Burning House. Excerpted from the talk Parables From the White Lotus Sutra - The Burning House, given at the London Buddhist Centre, 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Po…

Saddhaloka riffs on everything fiery - flames abound, smoke fills the air, the Buddha gets almost apocalyptic in his vision of things. Luminous stuff. This is the first in a two-part series The Burning House - an Image from the White Lotus Sutra referencing Chapter 3 of the 'Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law' given at Padmaloka Retreat…

Pursuing the theme of the Mahayana, Sangharakshita outlines its path, its historical roots and its principal scriptures, giving introduction to the White Lotus Sutra as a drama of cosmic enlightenment. Excerpted from the talk The Universal Perspective of Mahayana Buddhism, part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the W…

In this talk, Nagapriya introduces his new book, "Visions of Mahayana Buddhism." Here he condenses the definition of Mahayana Buddhism from his earlier talks then describes the process of writing the book, why he felt it was needed, and how its structure serves to make the study of Mahayana Buddhism accessible. From the talk Visions of Mahayana Bud…

The Enlightenment of the Buddha was an irreversible breakthrough into a new kind of consciousness for the world. All our practice flows from this endless stream of wisdom and compassion, flowing throughout the history of humanity. Dhammarati explores this momentous event, and its implications for us today. This talk was given on Buddha Day Festival…

The spiritual community is held as one of the three essential elements of the spiritual life. Paramananda talks about building Sangha and the importance of living and practising in relationship with other people. Excerpted from the talk The Sangha Jewel given at West London Buddhist Centre, 2014. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple P…

Suryagupta describes the qualities of the Buddha in this talk on the subject of Metta (loving-kindness) and insight/wisdom. Excerpted from the talk Metta to Insight given at London Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subsc…

Jnanasiddhi gave an inspiring and practical talk sharing her extensive understanding and experience of peace making. She illustrated different approaches of peacemaking in relation to the five aspects of the spiritual path. And focused on how we can create the conditions within ourselves - through our practice - to contribute to harmony with others…

Samantabhadri explores positive emotion in our system of practice. Her themes are: pliancy and loosening boundaries; the imagination; insight; our collective life; the shade and the light of our spiritual lives. Excerpted from the talk entitled Luminous Love given at Taraloka Retreat Centre on the occasion of a Women's National Order Weekend, 2012.…

Maitreyi talks about communicating through symbols, this time round through the hub of the wheel of life. Excerpted from the talk Communicating Through Symbols: The Wheel of Life, at Mid Essex Buddhist Centre, 2020. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every…

A fresh and engaging re-telling of Siddhartha Gautama's quest for Awakening. In particular, Vajragupta focuses on the moment of crisis when Gautama realises that the ascetic practices, and everything else he has tried, have got him no nearer Enlightenment. Sometimes it is in a moment of crisis that the ordinary mind gives up; it cracks and new ligh…

Saccanama explores Sangha as a means to counter the individualism of our times. What exactly is the true meaning of Sangha? And how can the mysterious ‘third order of consciousness’ or Bodhicitta help us to transcend our preoccupation with ourselves? Excerpted from the talk Sangha as the Way to the End of Dukkha given at Nottingham Buddhist Centre,…

As part of Adhisthana’s Triratna Day celebrations, Saddhanandi speaks to us about the ‘existential communication’ that can arise between a more, and a less, experienced practitioner. A communication that can take you to the limits of your own being and encourage you to stretch beyond them. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Electric Charge of Com…

The Karaniya Metta Sutta ends with liberation from the wheel of samsara. But the spiritual life doesn't end there. Bodhinaga explores the goal of Buddhism in terms of metta and compassionate activity. This talk was given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2024. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google …

The Brahma Viharas or Heavenly Abodes, have been likened to a magnificent tree. The deep, far ranging roots and sturdy resilient trunk are Metta; the open arms of the branches rising up out of the fullness of Metta are Compassion and Sympathetic Joy; the tree as a whole reflects the deep peace of Equanimity. The Brahma Viharas tree provides a Heave…

In a paper of great clarity and insight, Sangharakshita introduces the figure of the Bodhisattva, who embodies the principle of perpetual self-transcendence. Excerpted from the talk The Bodhisattva Principle, given in 1983, as part of the series Two Lectures to a Conference on Reality, Consciousness and Order. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podca…

Padmolka draws from a well-known story in the Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava when he is asked for a short, practical teaching which can be learned by heart to help Queen Nang Chung to practice the Dharma and ultimately lead her to Buddhahood. Excerpted from the talk Padmasambhava's Advice to the Three Fortunate Women given at Glasgow Buddhist…

Taking the line ‘May the flames that transmute samsara into nirvana’ from the familiar Triratna Dedication ceremony as his starting point, Jnanadhara explores the transformative power of mindfulness. What exactly are those flames? How does mindfulness help us ‘transform, transmute, transfigure’ in the words of Bhante Sangharakshita? Taking a deep d…

Here Dayanatha explores the limits of knowledge in the face of the mystery of enlightenment. Excerpted from the talk We Think We Know given at the London Buddhist Centre Winter Retreat, 2021. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our …

In this talk Padmavajra explores 'the way of the ecstatic wanderers', the Mahasiddhas who are the early Buddhist Tantric adepts. He tells some stories, including stories about Sangharakshita and his encounters with a one-eyed Tantric in South India. He also evokes 'the mysterious home of the dakini' which takes us to the Land of the Five Jnanas. Fi…

Prakasha explores the historical and mythical aspects of Padmasambhava, as well as how he is relevant to us. Excerpted from the talk entitled Padmasambhava given at Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. S…

Vidyasakhi speaks here about the nature of symbols. From the talk entitled Padmasambhava and the Naga King, given on Padmasambhava Day at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio p…

Here we have a talk given by Balajit in celebration of Padmasambhava Day at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 2022. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podc…

Previously unreleased and, rather famously, given off-the-cuff at the London Buddhist Centre, Sangharakshita gives us an enjoyable and stirring evocation of the great Tantric Guru of Tibet. Excerpted from the talk simply entitled Padmasambhava Talk given in 1979. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google P…

Here, Subhadramati follows the life and myth of Padmasambhava, the great Tantric guru of Tibet. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Night of the Demons given as part of the London Buddhist Centre as part of the series Winter Retreat 2021. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspi…