Public Talks by Sangharakshita
In the course of his career both in India and the West, Sangharakshita has given thousands of talks - thankfully we have some of his more recent ones on tape. The following are in approximately chronological order.
The Taste of Freedom
Just as the mighty ocean has but one taste, the taste of salt, even so the Dharma-vinaya (Buddhism) has but one taste, the taste of freedom.
(The Udana)
In this stimulating lecture Sangharakshita asks the question: What is Freedom? He proposes that it is more than mere civil freedom, that it is, in fact, much more, and in so doing casts light on these ancient words of the Buddha. (70 mins)
Buddhism, Nuclear War and World Peace
Long ago, the Buddha's voice of sanity and compassion successfully prevented an outbreak of war between two rival classes. The destructive forces which can be employed today are on a scale which in the Buddha's day could hardly be imagined. We are faced with a choice between world peace and eventual disaster. Sangharakshita discusses realistic courses of action for peace activists and others. He suggests that true peace must involve a commitment to the principle of non-violence and a solution to the problem of death. (110 mins)
Buddhist Dawn in the West
Sangharakshita outlines the circumstances which led him to found the FWBO, and the reasons for the form of ordination used in the WBO. He goes on to discuss three recent developments in the FWBO: new facilities for women, ordinations conducted by senior Order Members, and a new Buddhist magazine. Recorded on FWBO Day. (130 mins)
Discerning the Buddha
In trying to discern the Buddha we are trying to discern the highest kind of being - an Enlightened being. But it seems that the Buddha considered the Dharma - the Truth - to be higher still, deciding to 'live under it, honouring and respecting it'. Does this mean that there were reaches of the spiral of development that he had not yet explored? (70 mins)
The Buddha's Victory
The full moon of May is considered to be the anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment and his victory over the demon Mara. Sangharakshita explains what Mara represents and how he can be overcome. He goes on to describe the other great victories won by the Buddha. As well as containing much that will help and fascinate experienced Buddhists, this is an excellent introductory lecture requiring no prior knowledge of Buddhism. (70 mins)
The Message of Dhardo Rimpoche
In this talk, given by Sangharakshita on the first anniversary of the death of his teacher and friend, he explores and illuminates the meaning of the motto used by the Rimpoche for his school in Kalimpong: Cherish the Doctine, Live United, Radiate Love. Sangharakshita shows how this teaching is of great importance and relevance not just for Rimpoche's school but for all practising Buddhists. (45 mins)
The Five Pillars of the FWBO
In this talk by Sangharakshita, given on FWBO Day 1991, we are treated to a fresh and fascinating overview of some of the most fundamental bases, or 'pillars', which underpin the FWBO. With charcteristic clarity Sangharakshita explains how we, as individuals, and we as the FWBO, need to 'know ourselves', and that these particular five pillars; ideas, practices, institutions, experiment and imagination, are ways through which we could do this. This is a thought-provoking talk, one worthy of attention, and reflection, for people at all levels of involvement in the FWBO. (70 mins)
The Cave
On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the Western Buddhist Order at the Manchester Town Hall in 1991 Sangharakshita reads a story he had written the previous year. 'The Cave' is an evocative and moving story set in Northern India at the time of the Buddha. (55 mins)
Buddhism and the West
At the 1992 European Buddhist Union Congress, held in Berlin, Sangharakshita delivered a talk entitled 'The Integration of Buddhism into Western Society'. This is a personal testament in which he talks of the psychological, social, economic, intellectual, cultural and individual changes which we can expect to see - and which all Western Buddhists must unite to effect - as Buddhism becomes integrated into Western society. (55 mins)
Wisdom Beyond Words
Launching 'Wisdom Beyond Words', his exegesis of the texts of the Buddhist Perfection of Wisdom tradition, Sangharakshita explores the crucial principle of hierarchy in Buddhism, in particular the hierarchy of the spirit (which is evoked with the help of his poem 'The Guardian Wall') and the hierarchy of awareness. This leads into a discussion of the difference between jnana, or awareness of things as they really are, and vijnana, or awareness of things only as they appear to be; a thoroughgoing understanding of which constitutes the greatest task facing Buddhists in the west today. This is Sangharakshita at his most relaxed and most systematic; a talk packed with ideas, delivered in a friendly and accessible way. (81 mins)
Fifteen Points for Buddhist Parents
A Talk followed by Questions and Answers. Buddhist parents from many parts of Great Britain packed the London Buddhist Arts Centre in April 1994 to hear Sangharakshita present, in an informal talk, fifteen points for "Buddhists who are also parents". This was the first time he has given a talk specifically for Buddhist parents and Mallika, who chaired the talk, described it as "wise, practical and profound." Sangharakshita then spent a further 100 minutes answering questions from parents who are working to apply Buddhist principles to their relationships with children and family situations. (170 mins)
The Disappearing Buddha
In a wide-ranging talk presented to a large audience at St.James church in Picadilly, London, Sangharakshita presents an inspiring and vivid picture of the Buddha as warrior, hero and teacher able to achieve real communication by meeting others on their own terms. He goes on to emphasise the need for such communication in our own lives. Drawing parallels with Christian doctrine and recounting anecdotes from his past, Sangharakshita explores the Dharma; Enlightenment; the realms of supernormal beings and Buddhist scriptures. (85 mins)
The Rain of the Dharma (San Francisco)
Sangharakshita opens this talk with an affectionate account of his eight main teachers and continues by exploring the principle themes of the White Lotus Sutra - a sutra which is 'spiritually speaking of very great historical and doctrinal importance indeed.' After a clear and lucid account of the centrality of Going for Refuge in the life of the modern Buddhist and an exciting explanation of the Three Gateways of Liberation, Sangharakshita describes the five things essential to our spiritual growth and concludes with a challenging plea that the rain of the Dharma be kept pure and 'pollution free.' (70 mins)
The Rain of the Dharma (Seattle)
Sangharakshita gives an enjoyable autobiographical account of his discovery of Buddhism, his time in India and his realisation in 1964 of the need to create a new Buddhist movement, including an explanation of some of the special features of the Western Buddhist Order. The talk continues with an exploration of the White Lotus Sutra, a sutra which has had a great influence on the development of far Eastern Buddhism. Sangharakshita concludes with an encouraging description of the five things needed for our spiritual growth, highlighting the "tremendous spiritual optimism of Buddhism" and inviting us to saturate ourselves in the pure rain of the Dharma. (60 mins)
The Rain of the Dharma (Missoula)
In this talk, Sangharakshita gives a detailed, often amusing, autobiography: his childhood; his discovery that he was a Buddhist; his travels in India and his thoughts and ideas which led to the formation of the FWBO and the WBO. He gives a very clear introduction to the structures and practices of the movement and an inspiring explanation of the centrality of Going for Refuge. He concludes by outlining the five things needed for the growth of the individual in his or her spiritual life, affirming the potential for Enlightenment shared by all human beings and reminding us that the world today needs the pure 'unpolluted' rain of the Dharma. (95 mins)
Great Buddhists of the Twentieth Century
In this substantial lecture given at the London Buddhist Vihara on 14th October 1995, Sangharakshita delivered a fascinating series of vignettes introducing five great Buddhists who have all had a significant impact on modern Buddhism, especially in the West. He gives portraits of the lives of Anagarika Dharmapala, Alexandra David-Neel, B.R.Ambedkar, Lama Govida and Dr. Edward Conze. He reveals glimpses of these individuals who, although uniquely different, possessed the same determination, courage, unconventionality and heroism which transformed the world around them. (124 mins)
On Opening the Manchester Buddhist Centre
One of the greatest foundations of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order are the ideas born from the clarity of thought of its founder Sangharakshita. These ideas have been essential to the development of this new Buddhist movement and affect the lives of thousands of people around the world. On 16th July 1996, at the opening of the Manchester Buddhist Centre, Sangharakshita presented some of his latest thinking. In particular, with his accustomed clarity and good humour, he spoke about intellect, emotion and will as aspects of the individual who Goes for Refuge and how all three are essential in order to live the spiritual life. (78 mins)
Returning to the West
In an intimate and entertaining style Sangharakshita reads extracts from his recent biographical writing covering the period after his return to England from India in 1964. In particular he speaks about his initial impressions on arriving at Heathrow, meeting his parents after many years and his new association with ‘British Buddhism’. He concludes by reading four previously unpublished poems. Recorded in April 1998 at the London Buddhist Centre. (78 mins.)
A Life for the Dharma
In this substantial talk, given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre in January 1999, Sangharakshita tells the life story of the Indian master Atisha. Along the way he throws out some challenging and far reaching questions of great relevence for modern Buddhists. He particularly stresses the Path of Regular Steps and exhorts his audience to make full use of spiritual opportunities. Most of all he emphasises the importance of self-sacrifice and living one's life for the Dharma. (98 mins)
Standing on Holy Ground
In a second talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, in February 1999, Sangharakshita explains his poem 'The Scholars', and draws out a number of important points.
He distinguishes between three types of disciple; the Faith follower, the Doctrine follower and the Body Witness, and asks whether these three types of disciple can make the same amount of spiritual progress. In so doing Sangharakshita looks at the three levels of Wisdom and offers a way of interpreting this traditional formulation. He also describes what it is to be a Western Buddhist with a rich cultural heritage and offers us 4 suggestions about how to read books on Buddhism. (87 mins.)
Looking at the Bodhi Tree
In a public talk given in London, on the occasion of Wesak in May 1999, Sangharakshita addresses a subject that he has not spoken about at length before, that of gratitude.
Using, as his starting point, the Buddha’s Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, he explores the idea of gratitude as an important quality for the Buddhist to develop. In doing so he considers the three traditional recipients of gratitude, namely parents, teachers and spiritual friends, and then concludes by listing four possible reasons for ingratitude. (75 mins)
Footprints of Delight
Delivering this talk at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre Sangharakshita beautifully evokes a sense of the spiritual path as a journey, following in the footsteps of the Buddha. He gradually works towards the central image by tracing his early interest in writing and literature and explaining how this lead him towards the Dharma. Then weaving a commentary into the verses of his poem ‘Sripada’, or ‘Footprints of delight’, he recounts events and observations from his own life. (63 min)
An Informal Talk at Padmaloka
Delivering this informal talk at Padmaloka in January 2002 Sangharakshita starts by reflecting on two recent events in his life - handing on the headship of the Order and the deterioration of his eyesight. He then speaks in detail about the six distinctive features of the FWBO - that it is ecumenical, with Going for Refuge as central, a unified Buddhist Order, emphasising Right Livelihood, recognising the spiritual value of the arts and the importance of spiritual friendship. Finally he recalls with feeling his own friendship with Dhardo Rimpoche. (90 min)
Remembering Ambedkar
For his first public talk for over four years, Sangharakshita visited the London Buddhist Centre on Saturday 14th October 2006. He talked about his personal memories of Dr Ambedkar, the plight of the Dalits in India, and the mass conversion of these so called 'Untouchables' to Buddhism exactly 50 years earlier, in 1956, led by Dr Ambedkar.
He reflected on how this work has continued since Dr Ambedkar’s death that year. (48 min)(also available for NTSC (American) system)
Looking Back - and Forward
At the Birmingham Buddhist Centre in April 2007 Sangharakshita helped celebrate the 40th anniversary of the FWBO (as well as the 60th anniversary of his Going Forth). With characteristic clarity and conviction, he shares reflections on: anniversaries; the early days of the FWBO and our core practices; his Going Forth in India; the difficulties of practising the Dharma; what makes someone not a Buddhist and the Four Dharmamudras; and finally refreshes our memory about the six distinctive emphases of the FWBO. (61 mins)(also available for NTSC (American) system)
Recollections and reflection on my Going Forth
Sangharakshita revisits his time as a wandering 'Dharma Farer' in the India of the 1940's. The occasion for this colourful set of stories and related insights is the 60th anniversary of his decision to 'Go Forth' into the homeless life, in line with the oldest Buddhist traditions. Sangharakshita is in fine, thoughtful, at times even mischievous form as he heads into his 83rd year, and, as usual, is uncompromising in his vision of the spiritual life as a vital challenge to the comfortable mores of our times. (57 mins)(also available for NTSC (American) system)