Buddhist Voices (Dharmachakra)

A wonderful conversation with Amitasuri who has overcome huge health difficulties to train and work as a Buddhist Chaplain in the UK. Her passion for the vocational side of chaplaincy is inspiring and infectious, and it's moving to hear how her own situation has allowed her to be present - truly present - with people suffering greatly, and to make a difference in that way.

Find out more about Buddhist Chaplaincy in the UK: http://www.buddhist-chaplaincy-support-group.org.uk

Find out more about Buddhist Chaplaincy in the US: http://www.buddhistchaplainsnetwork.org

More like this: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

#health #Buddhism #faith #Buddhist #compassion #suffering #chaplaincy

How do you go from investment banker to full-time Buddhist practitioner? A fascinating account of a very rich life that takes Amalavajra from English boarding school and Cambridge University to J.P. Morgan as a pioneer of the now infamous asset-backed securities that became a prime factor in the credit collapse of 2008. His journey winds via improbably different worlds: from scuba diving on coral reefs to the Henley Regatta, from delivering pizzas around London at night to riding the Greyhound bus across America and selling books door to door in Tennessee! And all leading to a remarkable turnaround via meditation, Buddhism and the mountains of Nepal. A strong tale of determination and talent finding - finally- something truly worth investing in...

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Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-buddhist-centre-online/id498033013

#banker #banks #banking #securities #credit #creditcrash #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma

Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order, has long dreamed of starting a new library to house his collection of 11,000+ books on Buddhism, the Dharma and literature (including extensive reference and poetry collections). Vidyadevi, one of the people who helped make it happen, introduces the new library as it finally opens its doors. Her passion for this project and her love of books is both infectious and challenging as she talks with us about a library with its eyes as firmly on the future as on the past.

#buddhism #buddhist #library #libraries #books #book #Dharma #Triratna #Sangharakshita

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Another excellent conversation with Kamalashila in our occasional series from West London, where we celebrate the opening of their incredibly impressive new Buddhist Centre. But first we touch on all things liminal in our ongoing exchanges about landscape - particularly, in this case, the "gonzo psychogeography" of London and its subterranean rivers.

We also hear about new beginnings in the shape of a Welsh contemplative community project and Buddhafield as it re-emerges from some years of change. All in the good company of Kamalashila and also featuring our first very special guest - Yashobodhi.

For more new Dharma content: thebuddhistcentre.com/features

The talk referred to in this podcast can be heard at: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC2065

Hear more from Kamalashila's Quarterly: https://soundcloud.com/thebuddhistcentre/sets/kamalashilas-quarterly

#London #West London #subterranean #rivers #gonzopsychogeography #contemplative #Buddhafield #Triratna #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma

The first in a new occasional series with Parami, one of the most experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. Over the coming months and years, Parami will be joining us for conversation and sharing her generous perspectives on what she encounters during her travels around a contemporary international Buddhist sangha. We'll be hearing from her at home in the UK, as well as on the road from Mexico, Australasia and the U.S.

A true Dharma farer, still in love with the Buddha's teaching and the radical vision it represents, Parami introduces herself here by talking about her work and what still animates her in her own practice - a sense that while the world is on fire with suffering the Dharma is a beautiful solution we might all embrace.

Recorded live at the Omega Institute, NY, at the International Western Dharma Teachers' Conference.

Watch the archived live web talk and discussion with Parami: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/BAM/parami-radical-then-radical-now-history-triratnas-progressive-vision

#community #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #sangha

We're making a virtue of the long gap since Suvajra's autumn seasonal by switching to the southern hemisphere for our frame of reference! As colder weather settles over the realms of the south we hear about a Scotsman's adventures in India...

This set of fascinating winter tales comes from the mid '80s when Suvajra travels to the east to conduct his first ordinations on behalf of his teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita. There he encounters two important figures in the history of Triratna: Dr. Ambedkar and Dhardo Rimpoche.

From massive Ambedkarite commemorations on a beach in Mumbai to retreat near the ancient caves of Bhaja to his first meeting with Dhardo in the chilly mountain climes of northern Kalimpong, Suvajra's travels take him into new territories in all senses and see him undertake the work that will eventually yield his classic book 'The Wheel And The Diamond'.

Recorded at Adhisthana, UK, winter 2015.

#India #Indian #winter #Triratna #Buddhist #Buddhism #Sangharakshita #Dhardo #Rimpoche #Nepal #Tibet #Kalimpong #Ambedkar

An excellent conversation with Kalyanaprabha on what it's like to work with and edit Sangharakshita, as his latest book, 'A Moseley Miscellany' hits the bookshops and the project to publish his Complete Works gets underway. Words and their meanings, the transformative effect of literature in a life, writing as a gateway to spiritual insight - these are just some of the topics covered as we hear from someone whose passion for literary work is both inspiring and encouraging.

Buy 'A Moseley Miscellany' - http://windhorsepublications.com/amoseleymiscellany

#books #book #literature #poetry #poems #Buddhist #Buddhism #Sangharakshita #Triratna #Arts

Green Tara is the Buddhist figure associated with deep compassion in the face of the world's troubles. Something most mothers and fathers can relate to when it comes to their own kids!

This weekend we're focussing on how to practice Buddhism and meditation as a parent with young children, and we're delighted to be able to bring you resources live from the Retreat for Mothers that's just started at Taraloka Retreat Centre for women in Wales. We hope mums and dads everywhere will get lots of helpful input through what emerges from the retreat - and from the other material we'll post to complement it. Feel free to join in with your comments - we'd love to hear your experience!

View all posts from this weekend: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

#Buddhism #Buddhist #parents #parenting #kids #children #mothers

As part of our Buddhist Voices series we're live at the 2015 Pan-American Triratna Buddhist Order Convention. Abhayagita - whose name means 'Song of Fearlessness' - tells us (in English y en español) about her project to take women on pilgrimage from Mexico to India in the footsteps of the Buddha. En route we hear about her home country's engagement with the Dharma, and end up in a fascinating space around Aztec and Mayan culture as fertile native soil for the Dharma to take root...

Con la traducción española.

For more from the Pan-American Convention: thebuddhistcentre.com/tags/pan-american-2015

#Mexico #India #pilgrimage #Aztec #Mayan #anthropology #Budismo #Buda #Budhista #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma

We continue to celebrate the diversity of those attending the 2015 Triratna Buddhist Order Pan-American Convention in Mexico with two close friends from San Francisco. The theme of the Convention is friendship itself as a whole path of practice, and this is a pleasing ramble with two Californians taking in topics as diverse as the tech boom in San Francisco, the nature of interpretative understanding, and how beautiful it is to sit in a garden as part of a Buddhist Order and feel so well met, so kindly welcomed by strangers thousands of miles from home. Mexico is in all our hearts here and this is lovely witnessing of it between two brothers in the Dharma...

Recorded at Chintamani Retreat Centre, Cuernavaca, Mexico.

For more: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/tags/pan-american-2015

#Buddhism #Budismo #Buddhist #Budista #amistad #friendship #consciousness #SanFrancisco #tech #community

As part of a meditation evoking the path of friendship and lineage, members of the Triratna Buddhist Order chant the 'kalyana mitrata' mantra in a rainstorm at Chintamani Retreat Centre in Mexico.

Recorded as part of the 2015 Triratna Buddhist Order Pan-American Convention: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/tags/pan-american-2015

#mantra #chanting #harmonies #friendship #chant #singing #Buddhist #Buddhism #rain

Viriyalila in conversation with the wonderful Saddhajoti, whose vision of a Buddhist retreat centre rising out of barren sugar cane plantation land has been fully realized here at Chintamani, near Cuernavaca in Mexico.

It's a truly extraordinary achievement, and the great beauty and elegance of the place has been hugely enjoyed by all lucky enough o be attending the Triratna Buddhist Order's 2015 Pan-American Convention.

We hear how Chintamani - named after the mythical wish-fulfilling jewel which is a symbol for the Dharma offered for all beings - came into existence; and also how it forms part of a growing network of Triratna Buddhist Centres in Mexico and, more importantly, supports the community to go deeper into practice together.

For more: thebuddhistcentre.com/tags/pan-american-2015

#Mexico #retreat #Buddhist #Buddhism #Budismo #Budista #Cuernavaca #community #Dharma

Members of the Triratna Buddhist Order on their Pan-American Convention join with women training for ordination to chant the Bodhichitta mantra for the benefit of all beings.

The 'Bodhichitta' is sometimes rendered as the 'will to Enlightenment' or the 'heart-mind of Enlightenment' - signifying the complete dedication of our efforts to cultivate wisdom and compassion, in line with the Buddha's teachings, making no distinction between our own well-being and that of others. In that sense the development of Bodhichitta is a truly communal practice, and might even be said to arise on a collective basis. The mantra captures a flavor of what that might mean and the joy implied.

Recorded at Chintamani Buddhist Retreat Centre in Mexico during the 2015 Pan-American Triratna Buddhist Order Convention.

For more: thebuddhistcentre.com/features

#mantra #chanting #chant #ritual #Buddhism #Buddhist #Enlightenment #Dharma #community #harmonies

Satyalila reporting from an inspiring retreat at Adhisthana in the UK for a group of volunteers who came together to help Vidyadevi and Kalyanaprabha with editorial work on the first two of the twenty-seven volumes that will make up the entire Complete Works of Sangharakshita. And to to collectively dedicate their efforts - spiritual and practical.

We hear about some of what's involved - from the intricacies of critical diacritics in Pali and Sanskrit terms, to the considerable detective work expended on tracking down even the most obscure of footnote references...

Find out more the Complete Works: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/news/sangharakshita90

#Buddhism #Buddhist #literature #editing #editor #research #Dharma #Sangharakshita #Triratna

Parami interviews Kamalanandi and Padmavyuha about gender diversity in Triratna on the occasion of the first residential retreat for gender diverse people in our community. A timely and topical discussion about the issues raised in society generally by changes in awareness around gender – and in a particular Buddhist culture as it expands its sense of itself to be more inclusive and more forward thinking about a crucial area of personal identity. The implications for ideas of practice as a Buddhist are considerable and represent a great opportunity for deepening our sense both of individuality and of community.

The conversation includes a wonderful Q & A session about issues general and specific around gender diversity awareness and its positive effects within contemporary society and within the Triratna Buddhist Community.

Contact the group for Triratna Gender Diverse people and our allies: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/282677805189496/ The Buddhist Centre Online - contact us on community@thebuddhistcentre.com

#gender #genderdiverse #community #Buddhist #Buddhism #Dharma #genderfluid #trans #transsexual #transgender #retreat #Triratna

Dhammarati talks here about a new project on the system of training in Triratna. He is one of the most experienced members of the Triratna Community, having been chair of the College of Public Preceptors for a decade. He lives and works at Adhisthana, and is now the convenor of the International Council.

Dhammarati reflects on what is essential in Buddhist practice: a growth of awareness which leads to positive and rich emotion and a move away from self-referential emotion. As joy and compassion arises, it allows for a deeper seeing into impermanent nature of all of your experience and a letting go. The reflex of this is to open up to something deeper; wisdom and spiritual rebirth. This moves you towards spontaneous action for the benefit of others; seeing that your own growth and the growth of others is integrally connected.

Dhammarati introduces a new project by the name of Sikkha (with a long a at the end). This is a Pali word meaning spiritual training. The project is about becoming conscious of what is essential to theTriratna community. It is about deepening our understanding of what and how we teach and practice, and developing an explicit shared framework to talk about it.

How effectively are we doing that as a system of training? Dhammarati celebrates the changes that make wider discussions possible across the movement: the International Council and Adhisthana. Here he and Dhammamegha talk about how that conversation can begin and what Sikkha will be doing to enquire about what is most effective in our teaching and practice.

#Dhammarati #Dharma #community #study #dharmateaching #meditation #Triratna #Sikkha #systemofpractice #InternationalCouncil #College #Adhisthana #Bhante #integration #positiveemotion #spiritualdeath #spiritualrebirth #receptivity

Satyalila interviews Kamalamani about a strong decision in her life as a Buddhist - to forego having children - and her subsequent decision to write a book about it. A great conversation between two good friends about a long, challenging, ultimately affirming personal process and choice.

Get more information on Kamalamani's book and where to buy it: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/news/birth-book-choosing-childlessness

#motherhood #children #child #kids #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #compassion #love #parenting #parent

Vidyatara was one of the forces behind the development of the Triratna International Council after its foundation in 2011. We get a chance to catch up with her on her first return visit to the UK after moving back to Melbourne, Australia. She still carries a fierce passion for the vision of a genuinely international Buddhist movement and that comes through as we hear about aspects of her life and practice at home, back in national political work, carrying the torch of the Dharma.

• Bonus: If you listen carefully, you might just hear her sing the Vegemite Song...

For more, www.thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil

#Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma #Sangha #community #internationality #Melbourne #Australia #Triratna

Ratnashri from Mumbai and Vijaya from Nagpur talk to Dassini about their perspectives on the Triratna International Council; being outside of India for the first time, and being inspired by the example of Dr Ambedkar to see learning and developing skills as having no age limit.

Vijaya shares her top 3 highlights from the meeting, the first being an approach to conflict resolution that builds confidence and supports individuals to see their own shortcomings in the light of the Buddha's kindness.

Ratnashri ends the conversation by dedicating a song to the sangha, and both extraordinary ladies sing us out.

For more: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil #India #Mumbai #Nagpur #women #Dalit #Ambedkar #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #Dhamma #Triratna

A special edition of Buddhist Voices, from India at the height of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the mass conversion to Buddhism in 1956 of hundreds of thousands of Dalit (ex-Untouchable caste) Indians, inspired by their great leader Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar to escape the horrors of the Hindu caste system and work towards a more just society in India.

Subhuti, a longstanding champion of Doctor Ambedkar as an exemplar of democratic principles for the whole world gives us a wonderful introduction to the life and work of someone who deserves a much wider audience. From his remarkable early life and education to his framing of the Indian constitution itself, we hear of the intimate connection between that constitution (still the basis of Indian society and law) and the work of the mind represented by conversion to Buddhism in pursuit of freedom, equality, and justice.

Inspiring conversation at a time of great uplift for the new Buddhists of India!

For more, visit www.thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/ambedkar/

#Ambedkar #India #Dhamma #Dharma #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Indian #Dalit #caste #justice #society #democracy #freedom

Lokamitra has spent most of his adult life working in India to support the Dalit Buddhist community in their struggle against Hindu caste prejudice and its regard of them as literally "untouchable". Inspired by the life and work of the great Dalit leader, India's first Justice Minister Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Nagaloka Institute provides an invaluable chance to thousands of young Dalits, educating them in how Buddhism can help support their democratic rights to liberty, equality, and fraternity.

We hear about Nagaloka's general work, the celebrations around the 60th anniversary of Dalit conversion to Buddhism, and about the international conference Nagaloka and Triratna sponsored with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists.

For more, visit www.thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/ambedkar/

#Ambedkar #India #Dhamma #Dharma #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Indian #Dalit #caste #justice #society #democracy #freedom #education

A conversation wth the artist and poet behind the new eBook from The Buddhist Centre Online: Anādi - Without Origin (in English and Spanish editions). We hear about the origins of the book and about Binisa's meditative inspiration that underpins her work as a Dharma painter and illustrator, looking to the classic Tibetan tradition of thangka painting.

Anādi is a beautifully illustrated art and poetry book interpreting the “Bardo Thödol” – known as “The Tibetan Book of the Dead” – derived from the eighth century teaching of Padmasambhava, who was a fundamental figure in the dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet.

This enigmatic and ancient book is to guide people at any time in their lives, but above all aims to prepare them for death and what, in the Tibetan system, will come after it. Therefore, the book divides human existence into six intermediate stages or phases: life, dreams, meditation, death, the reality after death and rebirth. These six stages are trying to tell us that life as we understand it, does not end with the death of the body. The existence continues to be reborn in another body again and again, repeating these stages, until reaching what Buddhism calls Enlightenment.

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/books/anadi

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/books/anadi-espanol/

#Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Padmasambhava #Tibetan #Tibet #death #dying #afterlife #Dharma #Dhamma #tantric #thangka #painting #illustration #Art

Subhuti talks about his reasons for leading study on the Bodhicitta for the College meeting #Subhuti #Bodhicitta #Preceptors' College

Karunadevi has been a practicing Buddhist since the 1980s after finding her way to California from the heartland of Iowa. The first American to be ordained in the U.S. into the Triratna Buddhist Order she is now a member of the College of Public Preceptors, helping maintain the spiritual wellbeing of the community worldwide.

We hear about Karunadevi's journey to the Dharma via family, friends, and brushes with mystic religion (via Christianity, Joan Baez and Lama Govinda). And how it was as an American to meet a new practice tradition founded in another, very different culture. It's a wonderful conversation with a woman who has long been passionate about leading a Buddhist life - and who has been inspiring others to do the same - for many years.

#Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma #mysticism #religion #spirituality #Iowa #California #Triratna #community #sangha #family #fwbo

First in a series of occasional episodes featuring Triratna voices from Mexico. Here we meet the wonderful Aurea and her family in Mexico City and hear their story of what it's like to be a Buddhist (or have a Buddhist in your life) in a country where that's still fairly unusual. An inspiring, warm conversation that shows the tremendous difference love and support from friends and family can make to anyone practising Buddhism.

More at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

#Mexico #Buddhism #Buddhist #Triratna #Dharma #family

Continuing our series of in-depth conversations with Buddhists in Mexico, here is the irrepressible Upeksamati: Dharma pioneer in his homeland and founder of the Mexico City Buddhist Center.

We hear of his own Buddhist training in England in the 1980s and '90s and how that influenced his approach to bringing what he learned back home again. We get, in effect, a crash course in the essentials of starting a new Buddhist Center - at scale, and with ambition!

Always engaging, always in love with the Dharma and with Triratna, Upeksamati's clear delight is infectious. An inspiring meeting with someone who has spent 20+ years carrying the Buddha's teachings in his own culture with intelligence, creativity, and considerable success.

Recorded at Chintamani Retreat Center, Mexico.

#budismo #buda #budista #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Mexico #Dharma #Dhamma #Triratna

More at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

Jnanadakini was the first Mexican woman to be ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order and joins us to talk about her work bringing the Dharma to other Latin American women.

We hear about the recent ordination, broadcast live on The Buddhist Centre Online, and about Jnanadakini's mythic connection to building sangha at home in Mexico, in Venezuela, and across the continent. Her quiet joy in this is apparent as she evokes the strength of practical faith in the face of great political and economic difficulties.

Recorded in Mexico City, April 2017.

#Budismo #Buddhism #Buddhist #Budista #Buda #Buddha #women #Mexico #Venezuela #Triratna #LatinAmerica #Americas #ordination #ordenaçion

A gem of a conversation with Maitripala, from Melbourne (via Emerald City) in Australia, describing her beautiful practice of Metta Walks across the continent and the Buddhas In My Pocket project that has grown up around it. Her evocation of a modern day pilgrimage, engaging with strangers and sharing moments of deep connection and mutual kindness, is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. A shining example of living out the image of Indra's Net, where every being in the universe reflects every other and reveals the full beauty of everyone's potential.

Follow her progress at https://buddhasinmypocket.com

A deep-dive of a conversation between Abhaya and Satyalila, framing the practice of the Dharma as a path towards beauty, letting go, and liberation of the heart and mind. 

Abhaya speaks frankly about the very early days of the FWBO (now Triratna) and how his understanding of Urgyen Sangharakshita's systematic approach has evolved alongside his personal connection to his teacher and friend. We also hear how his early inspiration around the Tibetan text translated as 'Self Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness' has resonated through his life, and led him to a deeper engagement in old age with the practice and appreciation of visual art as a way into profound connection with others and with the heart of what matters.

Recorded in 2017 on the occasion of Abhaya's 80th birthday.

For more Buddhist Features, see www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

"So my impression of Bhante was that he was a magician who had some secrets that I wanted to get…"

Ananda was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order (then the Western Buddhist Order) on the 7th April 1968, which makes him the most long-standing member of our Order. 

In this full and frank conversation with Satyalila, Ananda speaks about his own spiritual journey in the Triratna Buddhist Order and his relationship with Bhante, Urgyen Sangharakshita, the founder of that Order.

From his first impressions of Bhante, to getting to know him better, and developing their friendship - as well as working through difficulties - Ananda emphasises again and again the vital importance of bringing our feelings into the spiritual life - and the spiritual life into our feelings.

Recorded at the Bristol Buddhist Centre on the 26th July 2015.

Extracts from this talk were used for the 50 Years, 50 Voices project - visit the dedicated space on The Buddhist Centre Online for more.

"Someone said to me, on one's ordination retreat, depth charges are planted - and you never know when they are going to go off..."

Danayutta was working as an investment banker in London when she first decided to go on a 10-day retreat with the London Buddhist Centre. This retreat changed the direction of her life - she realised that she wanted to commit to the Dharma life rather than pursuing her career, working on a busy trading floor.

"Because probably by the time I'd finished working...I'd be thoroughly burned out and then where would I get that energy to pursue a Dharma life? In a way the best years of my life would have been spent...I think I just had this moment when I realised I was rehearsing excuses and actually, deep down, what I really wanted was to put my energy into serving the Dharma..." 

Here she talks to Satyalila about her experience of encountering the Dharma in London, being brought up in Malaysia in a Buddhist family, the joy of community living, getting married during the ordination process and how her practice has unfolded since ordination.

Conversation recorded in 2018.

Extracts from this talk were used for the 50 Years, 50 Voices project - visit the dedicated space on The Buddhist Centre Online for more.

"Do not use Buddhism to protect yourself from life... use it to celebrate life"

"Buddhism gave me an understanding - or at least a suggestion that one could change"