Buddhist Voices

Dharmachakra
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUDDHISM
Buddhist Voices

Contemporary voices, specially commissioned in-depth interviews and conversations from members of the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world, exploring the Buddha's teaching in modern times for modern lives! Check out our other podcasts! The Buddhist Centre Podcast (https://audioboom.com/channels/4929068) | Free Buddhist Audio Talks (http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/free-buddhist-audio-community/id75081757) (iTunes) | FBA Dharmabytes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist/id416832097) (iTunes) https://thebuddhistcentre.com/Visit the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project (https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/50voices/)

  1. Satyadaka and Sarvananda - Sharing a Dharma Life

    10/22/2023

    Satyadaka and Sarvananda - Sharing a Dharma Life

    Join us for tales from a shared life of friendship, Buddhism and the Arts!

    1h 43m
  2. Maitripala - Guardian of Loving-kindness (Buddhist Voices Interview)

    09/15/2023

    Maitripala - Guardian of Loving-kindness (Buddhist Voices Interview)

    In this episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast, we explore the personal journey and reflections of Dharmacharini Maitripala, a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order as well as a private and public preceptor, based in Brunswick, Australia.  Initially leading a seemingly idyllic life, Maitripala's quest for 'more' was sparked by a serene moment of beauty as she noticed the glistening morning dew delicately resting on the cobwebs on her laundry line. Such a potent image seems to have gradually awakened something within her. But it would be some time before she would find herself in a shrine room remembering that same image. She came across the Dharma in 1991 when attending a weekend course led by Buddhadasa and Guhyavajra in Melbourne. Both Buddhadasa and Dayamegha were her first main dharma teachers. During this time she was bringing up her three daughters in the lovely forest town of Emerald about an hour and half from Melbourne. Throughout the episode, Maitripala reflects on the evolution of her spiritual practice, with a particular emphasis on her deep appreciation for the Metta Bhavana practice, or the cultivation of loving-kindness. She describes it as an insight practice and encourages fellow practitioners not to give up on the practice if they’ve found it difficult in the past The Metta Bhavana has been a cornerstone of her life and goes some way in describing why she was named, "Maitripala," which translates as "Guardian of Love and Kindness." She shares how her name serves as a living testament to her commitment to the Bodhisattva path and her mission to promote love and kindness in the world. Maitripala's journey deepens further when she is asked to become a public preceptor, a substantial responsibility within the Triratna Buddhist Order. She recounts the moment she received this request and how it instigated a profound shift in her perspective. This transition has brought about new challenges and opportunities for personal growth, allowing her to serve the Order in a more profound capacity. The conversation also touches on the common pitfalls newcomers to the Dharma face and the importance of patience and spiritual friendship on the path. Another important thread within this interview is the evolving relationship she’s had with her family and being a mother of three. Join us in this episode as we follow Maitripala's inspiring journey, underscoring the transformative power of practice, commitment, and the embrace of the Bodhisattva path. From an interview conducted for the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project, our online project to document 50+ years of people’s commitment and practice within the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world. Visit the dedicated site for Fifty Years, Fifty Voices Read more about Season Two of Fifty Years, Fifty Voices *** Subscribe to our Buddhist Voices Podcast:  On Apple Podcasts  |  On Google Podcasts  |  On Spotify  |  On others podcast networks Our long form podcast, featuring full-length interviews from Fifty Years, Fifty Voices, and other great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that

    55 min
  3. Samasuri - Spinning Around a Golden Thread (Fifty Years, Fifty Voices Full Interview)

    09/03/2023

    Samasuri - Spinning Around a Golden Thread (Fifty Years, Fifty Voices Full Interview)

    In this latest episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast, we take a deep dive into the life and transformative journey of our guest, Dharmachari Samasuri. Our guest's journey began whilst struggling her way through medical school in London. Sharing a house with long time friend Karunamati when she found herself on the brink of a breakdown.  Amidst the backdrop of Glastonbury Festival, she fondly remembers marching up to the Buddhafield tent to learn meditation. Having grown up in South Devon, Samasauri has always had a strong connection with nature, and the mythic dimension of practice. The warmth of the people she encountered, the sense of belonging, and the unique enchantment of rituals led by Varabhadri on her inaugural retreat with the London Buddhist Centre resonate vividly in her memory.  The narrative expands further as we delve into Samasuri’s experiences on Buddhafield family retreats. Embracing the chaos of being on retreat with her two children and finding extraordinary ways to integrate practice into her family routines. These retreats not only impacted her but also nurtured a sense of Dharma practice within her children, offering them glimpses into the mythic realm and ethical living. Satyalila gracefully opens up the challenges of being a parent within our movement in the past as Samasuri shares in her own experience of deciding to become a mother and the strong upsurge of maternal instinct that arose in her early 30’s. Describing needing to seek wider support from the Steiner movement. The episode concludes with a reflection on her yidam, Mamaki, the yellow female buddha of the east and the resonance with her ordained name, meaning "equanimous heroine". Evoking a powerful connection. As Samasuri navigates her spiritual journey, equanimity has become an important guiding principle, embracing abundance without getting overwhelmed. From an interview conducted for the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project, our online project to document 50+ years of people’s commitment and practice within the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world. Listen on The Buddhist Centre Online Visit the dedicated site for Fifty Years, Fifty Voices Read more about Season Two of Fifty Years, Fifty Voices *** Subscribe to our Buddhist Voices Podcast:  On Apple Podcasts  |  On Google Podcasts  |  On Spotify  |  On others podcast networks Our long form podcast, featuring full-length interviews from Fifty Years, Fifty Voices, and other great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that illuminate for modern times the Buddha’s example of how to live and find true freedom.

    43 min
  4. Jyotipala - Returning from the Wilderness (Fifty Years, Fifty Voices, Full Interview)

    08/09/2023

    Jyotipala - Returning from the Wilderness (Fifty Years, Fifty Voices, Full Interview)

    In this episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast, we delve into the life of Dharmachari Jyotipala. Ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in the late 1970s, Jyotipala's spiritual journey has taken in many different contexts within the Order, including a spell living in India wearing formal Buddhist robes. However, his spiritual life started much earlier than that. Raised a catholic he became inspired by Thomas Merton and joined a then new monastery in Utah, ‘Our Lady of the Holy Trinity’, with the intention of becoming a Trappist monk.  In this insightful interview conducted by Satyalila in 2018, Jyotipala's remarkable level of honesty and humility shines through. His path in the Order has taken a number of unforeseen twists, and he candidly discusses his own challenges and shortcomings with a charm that's deeply endearing. His conversation exudes an unmistakable sense of contentment, coupled with a strongly resonant faith. Indeed, he describes himself simply with the Indian term 'japawolla', someone who finds solace in the chanting of mantras.  In 2002, after distancing himself from the Order, Jyotipala's life took another turn as he made plans to relocate to New Zealand with his then second wife. Amid these shifts he resigned from the Order, leading him into what he refers to as a phase ‘in the wilderness’. He sought refuge at Throssel Hole, a Buddhist Abbey and retreat center nestled in Northumberland, England, a place that felt like home and offered what he describes as a simpler practice of ‘just sitting’.  For eight years, he found peace in this phase of his life, until receiving an unexpected phone call and card from an old friend, Padmavajra… Join us as we explore Jyotipala's heartfelt story of challenge and faith, and witness something of the serenity he carries within him. Extracts from this interview were used in the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project. Visit Fifty Years, Fifty Voices on The Buddhist Centre Online

    48 min
  5. Suryaka - Following the Stream of Dharma (Full 50Voices Interview)

    06/17/2023

    Suryaka - Following the Stream of Dharma (Full 50Voices Interview)

    Join Satyalila for another episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with Suryaka about their journey of discovering and embracing Buddhism. This interview was originally conducted for the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project. Suryaka's name is pronounced as "Su-ree-a-ka," meaning "Like the Sun." Suryaka’s initial attraction to yoga and meditation retreats was that they seemed cheap and like a nice holiday! Having avoided any kind of religious practice throughout their life due to a fear of being confined and squished by religious institutions, she experienced a pivotal moment on retreat at Dhanakosa Retreat Centre in Scotland. Sitting by a stream she realized that Buddhism could perhaps provide the means she’d been looking for to channel their energy. This led them to the Manchester Buddhist Centre, where she found a genuine sense of community, shared work and authentic teachers who deeply resonated with their experience.  This journey was not without its challenges. Suryaka discusses openly the difficulties she encountered in forming a personal connection with a specific Buddha figure. She also touch upon difficulties experienced in training for ordination, especially mixed feelings encountered during the ordination retreat itself; as well as the strain it placed on their relationship with their family. This moving episode offers an honest exploration of the Dharma life, navigating challenging emotions and the complexities of familial life, while trying to grapple with exactly what the Dharma truly entails. Suryaka's story exemplifies the strength that emerges from finding and following one's calling, even in teh face of adversity.

    58 min
  6. Rijumayi - A Real Framework for Transformation (Full 50Voices Interview)

    05/24/2023

    Rijumayi - A Real Framework for Transformation (Full 50Voices Interview)

    In this podcast episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Rijumayi, currently based in Melbourne, Australia, as she shares her spiritual journey as part of the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project. Rijumayi takes us back to her formative years, recounting her initial encounters with Buddhism during her teenage years. Her interest in the teachings was ignited whilst in high school, she attended a lecture by the Dalai Lama in the city. The reverence and respect that people had for him would leave a lasting impression on her. As well as delving into her evolving experience with meditation and the Dharma, Rijumayi remarks that in her search for meaning, she really found the framework for transformation that she was looking for at the Melbourne Buddhist Centre, which lead to her eventual ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order.  Throughout the discussion, Rijumayi stresses the importance of seizing this precious opportunity to practice, encouraging listeners not to postpone their spiritual journeys and to cultivate meaningful spiritual friendships. She generously shares insights into her daily routine, revealing how it supports her steadfast commitment to going for refuge in the three jewels.

    26 min
  7. Manjuvajra - Deepening Confidence in The Three Jewels (Full 50voices Interview)

    04/26/2023

    Manjuvajra - Deepening Confidence in The Three Jewels (Full 50voices Interview)

    As part of the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project, celebrating 50 years of the Triratna Buddhist Order; In this episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast, we hear from Manjuvajra, a member of the Order for over 45 years, who shares their experience of reassessing their relationship with the order after withdrawing from their previous institutional roles. Manjuvajra notes that the order they joined many years ago was very different from the current manifestation, making it harder to identify with the practicalities of the order. Reflecting over many decades of practice, Manjuvajra describes an ever-deepening confidence in the existence of the Buddha, which illuminates both the Dharma and Sangha jewels. They also reflect on the development of spiritually supportive friendships that provide intimacy without emotional bondage. Manjuvajra has found a deepening of their connection to the three jewels through long retreats and expresses a desire to create a culture of long retreats within the community, where individuals can develop their own particular strand of practice with the support of a small group. Overall, this conversation initiated by Dharmacharini Satyalila is honest and intimate, not shying away from the challenges of practising within a spiritual community and the importance of deepening one's confidence in the teachings.

    1h 8m
  8. Akasasuri - Boundless Space and Limitless Light (Full 50voices Interview)

    04/05/2023

    Akasasuri - Boundless Space and Limitless Light (Full 50voices Interview)

    In 2018, Satyalila had the pleasure of sitting down with Akasasuri at the Adhisthana Library for an interview as part of the Fifty Years Fifty Voices project. Extracts from this interview were used in the project, and now we are gradually releasing the full interviews to provide a deeper dive into the lives of various members of the Triratna Buddhist Order across the globe. In this far-reaching conversation, Satyalila and Akasasuri touch on many aspects of her life in the order. They begin by discussing where it all began as well as the events that led to Akasasuri joining the then "Friends of the Western Buddhist Order" and her experiences with other teachers who influenced her journey. Her journey began with training as a Gestalt therapist and psychosynthesis in Holland. Like many conversations in the 50 Voices project, Akasasuri emphasizes the importance of friendships within the Triratna Buddhist community. She speaks warmly of Dharmacharini Vajrayogini, who she regards as a formidable woman and a great Dharma teacher. Despite their age difference, they established a deep friendship, and Akasasuri regards her as her first teacher. Later, they discuss Akasasuri's experiences of working for the movement, which spanned several different Triratna contexts, including various Buddhist centres and her work as a van driver for Windhorse Trading. Throughout the conversation, the importance of Going for Refuge to the three jewels in Buddhism is highlighted, and they discuss how it can be put into action through kindness and service. Visit the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices on The Buddhist Centre Online

    48 min
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About

Contemporary voices, specially commissioned in-depth interviews and conversations from members of the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world, exploring the Buddha's teaching in modern times for modern lives! Check out our other podcasts! The Buddhist Centre Podcast (https://audioboom.com/channels/4929068) | Free Buddhist Audio Talks (http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/free-buddhist-audio-community/id75081757) (iTunes) | FBA Dharmabytes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist/id416832097) (iTunes) https://thebuddhistcentre.com/Visit the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project (https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/50voices/)

Information

  • Creator
    Dharmachakra
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2023
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © dharmachakra
  • Show Website
    Buddhist Voices

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