Talks on Buddhism and Meditation

Becoming an individual is not easy! Ratnaguna at an Essential Dharma Training for Men session. October 2020

Arthavadin introduces, and leads a contemplation on, the Four Factors for the Arising of the Bodhicitta. December 2020

At her final women’s gathering as Mitra Convenor, Acharashraddha invites us to reflect on what helps us to grow. January 2021

Third of Parami’s talks on the Three Protectors, looking at Vajrapani, deep-blue embodiment of Energy. December 2020.

Second of Parami’s talks on the Three Protectors, looking at Manjusri, sword-bearing embodiment of Wisdom. October 2020

First in a series of talks by Parami on the Three Protectors, focussing on Avalokitesvara, the embodiment of Great Compassion. October 2020

Last of Taravandana’s talks on the four things we need to bring together and sustain a healthy community. June 2020

Third of Taravandana’s talks on the four things we need to bring together and sustain a healthy community. June 2020

Dayanandi considers the first two of the Four Samgrahavastus – generosity and kindly speech – at our Online Sangha Retreat June 2020

Aparajita explores the second two of the Four Samgrahavastus – beneficial activity and exemplification – at our Online Sangha Retreat June 2020

Second of Taravandana’s talks on the four things we need to bring together and sustain a healthy community. June 2020

First of four talks from Taravandana on the things we need to bring together and sustain a healthy community. June 2020

Arthavadin explores how myth can help us positively transform ourselves, our relationships with others, and the world around us. May 2020

In the last talk in a series, Ratnaguna suggests that the Buddhist path is not about reaching an end goal, but about a gradual deepening of wisdom. May 2020

In this seventh talk in a series, Ratnaguna suggests that to live a Buddhist life, we need to delight in the Buddha’s teaching. May 2020

In this sixth talk in a series of eight, Ratnaguna suggests that the Buddhist goal of enlightenment is elusive and subtle. May 2020

In this fifth talk in a series of eight, Ratnaguna addresses a wondrous strange quality of the Sangha. The rivers, when they join the great ocean, lose their name and their identity . . . April 2020

In this fourth talk of eight, Ratnaguna suggests that the only way we can really be part of a spiritual community is by being authentic: revealing who we truly are. April 2020

In this third talk of eight, Ratnaguna suggests that the path to enlightenment requires that we apply a consistent and balanced effort in our Buddhist practice. April 2020

In this second talk in a series of eight, Dharma Wondrous Strange, Ratnaguna gives us ten pieces of advice from the Buddha, speaking to our isolation whilst the country is in lockdown. April 2020

In the first online talk in a series of eight, Dharma Wondrous Strange, Ratnaguna looks at the importance of wonder in the spiritual life. March 2020

Mahasraddha leads a visualisation meditation on the Buddha in relation to Spriritual Death and Rebirth, February 2020

Mahasraddha looks at Spiritual Death, and in particular our receptivity to impermanence and insubstantiality, February 2020

Taravandana reflects on the possibilities of developing a friendship with an archetypal Bodhisattva figure, like Green Tara, December 2019

Amaradaya shares his appreciation of and gratitude to Sangharakshita on a day in commemoration of his death, October 2019

Siladevi reflects on an aspect of Buddhism that is often played down, but is nonetheless an organic part of our practice – working together with others to effect change in the world. October 2019.

Silabodhi shares some personal reflections on the importance of Sangha and selflessness in spiritual life. November 2019

Dayanandi contemplates the words of the Tiratana Vandana and the qualities of the Buddha. July 2019

Samantabhadri shares personal reflections on her connection with the White Tara sadhana. June 2019

Amaradaya explores the idea of tathagatagarbha, the ever present possibility of Enlightenment, at Buddha Day Festival. May 2019.

A talk by Acharashraddha on our Sangha Retreat at Adhisthana. Can we communicate and be friends with any other human being? What is spiritual friendship? April 2019

A talk by Vishangka on our Sangha Retreat at Adhisthana. Is Buddhism a religion? What is faith? What can religion offer to humanity? April 2019

A talk by Arthavadin on our Sangha Retreat at Adhisthana. What are the existential truths the Buddha saw? What do they mean for us today? April 2019.

Danasamudra’s talk traces the development of women’s involvement in Buddhism. March 2019

Ratnaguna tells us about the people in the Buddha’s Sangha. March 2019

Following Sangharakshita’s death, Ratnaguna urges us to get to know Bhante through his poetry. December 2018.

In this Sangha Day talk, Vishangka reflects on the power and beauty of Sangha. November 2018.

Sundeep explores the life of Dr Ambedkar and his ongoing influence and significance for the Triratna Buddhist Community and the wider world. October 2018.

Ratnaguna explores the archetypal Buddha, freed from his historical and geographical context, as found in the Mahayana sutras. October 2018

Ratnaguna explores the Buddha as a human being in a particular time and context, drawing from Pali sources that help bring out his personality. October 2018

In this lively and engaging talk, Sanghaketu suggests that focusing on one side in our practice can leave us feeling out of balance. April 2018.

Vajrapriya explores the terms doing and being and suggests how we can bring greater stillness into activity, and vibrant energy into calm. March 2018

At our International Women’s Day celebrations, Taravandana explores the Buddha’s teachings on the Worldly Winds and how we can navigate them as women in the 21st Century. March 2018

Maitridevi explores how things that are broken can be given a fresh perspective through their repair, and a greater beauty revealed. March 2018.

Priyavadita explores the role that faith has played in his spiritual life. In particular, his love for Pingya’s Praises of the Way to the Beyond, from the Sutta Nipata. January 2018.

Mahabodhi explores the meaning of the Sanskrit term ‘samjna’, or ‘sanna’ in Pali, often translated as perception. November 2017

A talk given by Sthirajyoti on the Sangha Day Festival at Manchester Buddhist Centre, November 2017

A talk given by Daniel Bradford on the Sangha Day Festival at Manchester Buddhist Centre, November 2017

A short talk by Sanghadhara introducing the Sangha Day Festival at Manchester Buddhist Centre, November 2017

Balajit shares his journey of discovery around what the body is and what it might mean for the body to be truly, profoundly and deeply at peace with itself. October 2017

Arthapriya invites Western Triratna Buddhists to rise to the challenge of Dr Ambedkar’s vision by working collectively and seeing that our own well-being and freedom is interwoven with those around us. October 2017

In this inspiring talk, Nagapriya outlines his experience of working with others to establish the Centro Budista de Cuernavaca in Mexico. September 2017

Guhyapati, from the Ecodharma Centre, explores how the Dharma can empower social engagement, at our weekly Sangha gathering, July 2017.

In a Triratna Night talk, Chandana uses personal reflections to explore the practical application of metta in our Buddhist practice. July 2017.

In a Dharma Day talk, Sanghadhara asks how developing our practice can help us benefit all beings, July 2017.

Maitridevi brings together poetry, science and classic Buddhist teachings to explore how the Buddhist Path can be seen as a positive force for good in the world. April 2017

Vajratara, in a talk given at Triratna Night, guides us through an exploration of the conditions needed for faith to arise and develop. March 2017.

In a talk for International Women’s Day, Satyamuni reflects on whether social and political action is enough to end suffering. March 2017

Satyadaya explores team based working and living in the context of Buddhafield. January 2017

At a day for women training for ordination, Taravandana explores the Imaginal Faculty and how it can help deepen our spiritual practice. January 2017

Tarahridaya provides a personal take on the transformative nature of the work of the Dharma and Triratna Buddhist Order in India. September 2016

Chandrabodhi gives a personal recollection of the growth and development of the Triratna Buddhist Order in India. September 2016

Carunalaka introduces the India Dhamma Trust. September 2016

Sanghadhara reflects on death and how to engage with a sense of beauty. September 2016

Satyajyoti looks at how metta, or kindness, towards yourself is the cornerstone of contentment. September 2016

Sanghadhara explores what it means to get a new name and how it expresses his aspiration. August 2016

Mahabodhi explores the early history of Buddhism, and suggests that the origins of the Triratna system of practice lie there. July 2016

In Buddhist Action Month, Parami explores the tension between inner and outer engagement, June 2016

Sthirajyoti gently unleashes the powerful archetypal figure of Vajrapani. June 2016

Anjali Chatterjee explores Buddhist approaches to the real world of business. June 2016

Arthavadin challenges us in discussing self, other and the Third Order of Consciousness. May 2016

Vidyamala speaks on transformation at Manchester Buddhist Centre’s Sangha Retreat at Adhisthana, May 2016

Sona on Manchester Buddhist Centre’s Sangha Retreat at Adhisthana, May 2016

Exploring some of the challenges of taking up the Dharma life. March 2016

Ratnaguna talks to men in training for Ordination, March 2016

Dharmakarunya explores to what extent feminism can be consistent with the Dharma, March 2016

Maitreyi talks about the Sangha Jewel and its place in the Dharma life, December 2015

Silabodhi speaks of his ordination in the Triratna Buddhist Order, March 2016

Mahasraddha explores death and living more fully. February 2016

Arthapriya, the Centre’s president urges us to reach out. February 2016

Karunavajra describes being diagnosed with cancer and the opportunities it gave him to practise. February 2016

Arthavadin explores renunciation as a state of mind and not just a physical act. December 2015

In this twenty minute talk, Dayanandi focuses on kindness. November 2015

A short talk given by Arthaketu introducing Sangha Day. November 2015

Mahabodhi talks about uselessness and aesthetic appreciation. November 2015

Singhashri says goodbye, as she leaves Manchester, and raises one or two interesting questions. October 2015

Garavachitta explores the Sev­en­fold Puja as a devotional journey. September 2015

A talk given by Jnanavaca on Trirtana Night at Manchester Buddhist Centre, September 2015

Dharmottara remembers with appreciation the people and projects she’s been involved with. September 2015

A beautiful, poetic talk from Subhadramati. August 2015

Arthapriya explores renunciation and what it means for us in the modern world. July 2015

Sthirajyoti kicks off Buddhist Action Month with a talk looking at the ‘new society’ and why we need it. June 2015

Amalaketu explores climate change and how we can make a difference. June 2015

Munisha explores the spiritual benefits of expressing gratitude in our lives. May 2015

Continuing the theme of ‘turning towards’, Sona explores how we can do this collectively, as a Sangha. May 2015

Saddhanandi discusses the power of turning towards our experience as individuals. May 2015

Vajratara talks about dead dogs, showers of money and shapeshifting in early Buddhist stories. May 2015

Vaddhaka on how Buddhists can play a role in building an alternative economic world to capitalism. May 2015

Dharmakarunya asks how we can express compassion to others if we are not compassionate to ourselves. May 2015

Mokshajyoti explores the theme of doubt and the role it can play in the Dharma life. May 2015

Vidyamala on socially engaged Buddhism, helping bring about global transformation, starting with our own minds! April 2015

Taravandana asks how can we bring more compassion into this world of suffering. March 2015

Amitasuri explores what can happen when faced with well-being, illness, age­ing and death. March 2015

Maniraja explores how Yogachara Buddhism speaks of a consciousness of four selves called manas. March 2015

Mahabodhi on how the Dhyanas are a path to skilful action of body, speech and mind. March 2015

Parami explores some of the core features of the Triratna approach to Buddhism. March 2015

The fourth in our series on the Sukhavati or Pure Land Sutras with Ratnaguna. February 2015

Ratnaguna asks what the myth of Sukhavati actually means, and proposes an answer. February 2015

Ratnaguna looks at beauty in the Pure Land Sutras. February 2015

First in a four week series on the Sukhavati Sutras with Ratnaguna. This week he looks at Happiness. February 2015

Chandana gives a personal talk about death and loss at Manchester Buddhist Centre’s Parinirvana Day festival, February 2015.

Arthapriya begins by explaining his role of president. He then encourages us to go beyond ourselves – potentially way beyond ourselves. January 2015

Garavachitta explores making ourselves more receptive to those aspects of the Buddha’s teaching that go beyond concepts. January 2015

Arthavadin asks, as Buddhism becomes more popular in the West, is it in danger of being co-opted by consumerism? January 2015.

Singhashri discusses how we can liberate our mind from unhelpful habits and attachments through mindfulness. December 2014

Singhashri explores the mind and the extraordinary potential of self-awareness. November 2014

Singhashri continues her exploration, looking at Feeling and the Dhyana factors that bring pleasure and absorption in our meditation. November 2014

Singhashri introduces Insight Dialogue – a way of communicating the freshness and immediacy of direct experience. November 2014

Singhashri introduces the Radical Embrace – the possibility of opening to the full range of our experience with clarity and insight. October 2014

Ratnaguna explores some texts that describe the Buddhist path in imaginative rather than conceptual terms. November 2014

Vidyamala talks about her practice of the Dharma. Talk given to women in training for ordination. August 2014

Sumnadipa talks about her practice of the Dharma. Talk given to women in training for ordination, August 2014

Di Kaylor, later ordained as Sarasuvanna, talks about her practice of the Dharma. August 2014

Dayanandi talks about her practice of the Dharma to women in training for ordination, August 2014

Claire Morris talks about her practice of the Dharma at a day for women in training for ordination. August 2014

Ratnaguna asks how the spirit of the Pure Land can come about in the midst of the Sangha. June 2014

Vidyamala talks about her relationship with the archetypal Buddha Amitabha – the Buddha of Love, at our 2014 Sangha Retreat

Ratnaguna brings the Pure Lands to life. July 2014

Buddharaksita talks about the importance and profundity of perhaps the most characteristic Buddhist virtue – compassion. May 2014

A talk by Parami, a senior Order member with a close connection to Sangharakshita. February 2014

Nagabodhi evokes 1982 when he accompanied Sangharakshita on his speaking tour of India. February 2014

Ratnaguna introduces short talks by himself and three Mitras: Simon Bradley, Gill Aitken (now Satyamuni) and Richard Millington. February 2014

Dhammadinna speaks about Sangharakshita and his emphasis on imagination as a key to the spiritual life. February 2014

Kamalashila, one of Triratna’s most experienced meditation teachers, talks us through the five dimensions of spiritual life. February 2014

Vidyadevi reflects on her friendship with Sangharakshita. February 2014

Arthapriya speaks about Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. February 2014

Chandana speaks on Parinirvana Day, when we commemorate the Buddha’s death. February 2014

Amitasuri talks with the BBC’s Mike Shaft about Parinirvana Day, when Buddhists commemorate the Buddha’s final passing. February 2014.

The inauguration of Arthapriya as our President. January 2014

Arthavadin encourages us to reflect on how well we are deepening our practice of Sangha. November 2013

Ancient verses chanted in Buddhist devotional rituals in Pali – the language the Buddha would have spoken.