Dharmabytes from Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabytes features bite-sized dharma, three times a week, from the Free Buddhist Audio archives. Themed in conjunction with our weekly full length talk podcast, these are inspiring short extracts from over 5,000 talks on Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness! Tune in, be inspired!

Befriend Your Mind 08/03/2026

Befriend Your Mind invites us to explore how meditation can serve our lives on and off the cushion, and especially during challenging times. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2025. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42298265

Seeing Metta as a Choice 08/03/2026

Seeing Metta as a Choice Equanimity is the deepest level of metta: metta imbued with seeing reality. brings in Kisa Gotami, Hiroshima and her own mother's death. Can we hold the paradox of loving, yet letting go? Can we drop the drama, and see the mettaful action that we could actually take? Excerpted from the talk entitled as part of the series , , 2025. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42298115

As Ordinary As Your Own Breath 07/27/2026

As Ordinary As Your Own Breath Image of the sea and the raft: we hold onto our raft, but this brings suffering - can we let go, enter the sea and become spiritually reborn? This is the question asks us. Spiritual death does not only mean esoteric meditation practices; it means confronting the vagaries and difficulties of life with honesty and courage and seeing what we can learn from them. By opening up to new experiences, life becomes more vivid and enjoyable - if we can just face the fear. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Sea As Spiritual Death given at Young Men Retreat, , 2012. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42225190

Light as an Orientating Feature 07/27/2026

Light as an Orientating Feature Orientation towards Enlightenment is a keynote talk by marking both the Buddha’s enlightenment over 2,500 years ago and the 30th anniversary of the Nottingham Buddhist Centre. Exploring themes of lineage, connection, and the symbolism of the Vajrasana as a point of orientation in a suffering world. Kusaladevi reflects on how Dharma practice and the life of a Buddhist Centre offer a bridge from disorientation towards the transcendental through the light of the Dharma. Excerpted from the talk entitled Orienting Towards Enlightenment given at the , 2026. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42225040

A Hot Debate 07/22/2026

A Hot Debate delves into the Buddha's unanswered questions; questions that Vacchagotta, Malunkyaputta and others asked him. Among them: 'What happens to a Buddha after death?' And what happens at our own death; what did the Buddha really say; and why did the renowned Buddhist scholar Paul Williams convert from Buddhism to Roman Catholicism? Excerpted from the talk entitled Death and the Self, and the Buddha's Unanswered Questions given at , 2010. *** Subscribe to the FBA podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42181145

Between the Heaves of Storm 07/22/2026

Between the Heaves of Storm draws out the deeper meaning and finer detail of five different poems, each around the theme of death with the final poem focusing on spiritual rebirth. By discussing the background of the poems and poets, the intricacies of their structure, and bringing in a Buddhist interpretation of the themes raised in the poems, Maitreyabandhu shows us the importance and profundity of poetry and how it can help us to explore Dharmic themes more deeply. Here he discusses the poem “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died - by Emily Dickinson. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2018. *** Subscribe to the FBA podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42180760

The Drum of the Deathless 07/15/2026

The Drum of the Deathless In this talk explores these beautiful verses which evoke the Buddha, his qualities and the profundity of his teaching. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2014. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42099940

Angulimala 07/15/2026

Angulimala relates tales of some of the colourful characters who visit the Buddha to receive teachings.Here, we here about a killer-bandit named Angulimala. Excerpted from the talk given at , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42099765

A Sense of Urgency 07/15/2026

A Sense of Urgency What was the Buddha really like? explores this important question with particular emphasis on how this is related to our own lives and how we may follow in the footsteps of the Buddha ourselves. Excerpted from the talk entitled What the Buddha Was Really Like given at , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/42099670

True Individuals and Spiritual Communities 06/30/2026

True Individuals and Spiritual Communities outlines his view of the historical background to current world problems (essentially, problems within and between groups), which can only be solved by people either withdrawing support from groups or influencing them positively through an experience of Spiritual Communities. Excerpted from the talk entitled Evolution or Extinction: Current World Problems given as part of the series , 1971. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41906235

Dedicated to Peace 06/23/2026

Dedicated to Peace Partisan politics, hurricanes and earthquakes, mass shootings, nuclear threats … our world at times feels like a living nightmare. reflects: How do we as Buddhists respond, individually and as a sangha? And how do we keep our sanity? Excerpted from the talk entitled Practice During Times of Chaos and Uncertainty given on a Sangha Day celebration at 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41739645

Shared Going for Refuge 06/18/2026

Shared Going for Refuge Here, describes how a range of dharma practices can be seen as a finding of the point of freedom where a more creative option becomes apparent as an alternative to the more familiar reactive choices. In ethical practice this is developing a sensitivity to the wholesome quality of skilful intentions, in meditation finding a way of relaxing in to the practice and in sangha engaging in a free association of individuals, as an individual, from one's point of freedom. Excerpted from the talk entitled , given at , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41688725

A Case for Reverence 06/18/2026

A Case for Reverence The Bodhisattva called 'Never Direct' saw the Buddha in everyone, yet his practice of bowing received a mixed response. Drawing on themes from the White Lotus Sutra, delves into how different framings of the spiritual life can profoundly change our understanding of Buddhism and its practice. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2025. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41688345

The Compassion Aspect of Wisdom 06/16/2026

The Compassion Aspect of Wisdom introduces the Bodhisattva Ideal, central to Mahayana Buddhism, by describing the training of the novice Bodhisattva and the arising of the will to Enlightenment. Excerpted from the talk entitled Becoming a Bodhisattva given at , 2012. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41661220

By the Sound of this Majestic Drum 06/08/2026

By the Sound of this Majestic Drum explores confession's illuminating and transformational properties through the Mahayana sutra, The Sutra of Golden Light. Excerpted from the talk entitled the Given at , 2023. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41570790

We Don’t Really Know Anything About Anything 06/08/2026

We Don’t Really Know Anything About Anything gracefully introduces some points one may find helpful before studying any Mahayana sutra, giving some context to this rich vein of the Dharma. Excerpted from the talk What Do I Need to Know Before Reading a Mahayana Sutra? Given as an introduction to the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa (The Inconceivable Emancipation) at a sub30 retreat, 2025. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41570320

Unlimited Spaciousness of the Buddha 06/08/2026

Unlimited Spaciousness of the Buddha explores the nature of presence and absence in encounters between people and concludes that we can only be truly present when we are "absent", i.e. when we get out of the way. And the Buddha embodies this "presence" through "absence" in a way we cannot truly comprehend. By being "absent", he is completely and utterly present. The Buddha is the embodiment of reality itself and, as such, is always present. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2025. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41570295

Overcoming spiritual individualism 06/03/2026

Overcoming spiritual individualism The full moon in May is celebrated as the anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment and his victory over the demon Mara. explains what Mara represents and how he can be overcome. As well as containing much that will fascinate experienced Buddhists, this is also an excellent introductory lecture. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Buddha's Victory given in 1987. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41520950

A Multitude of Perspectives 06/03/2026

A Multitude of Perspectives invites us to experience the dharma imaginatively: through art and heart. He outlines the turning points or ‘rites of passage’ in the Buddha’s mythic life story as he introduces the home retreat offered by the . In this excerpt from the talk entitled , he speaks about the numerous perspectives the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas take. Visit 'In the Footsteps of the Buddha' for more resources from this retreat: *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. | | /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41520920

At the Brink of Enlightenment 05/15/2026

At the Brink of Enlightenment In this moving talk based on Sangharakshita's 1969 talk 'Breaking through to Buddhahood', shares some of his experience as an Order Member to illustrate how we might move beyond our unhelpful psychological conditioning. Excerpted from the talk talk given at , 2017. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41311115

A Journey of Discovery 05/15/2026

A Journey of Discovery considers what we can learn from the story of the noble quest of the Buddha. This story is recounted in the Discourse on the Noble Quest (Ariyapariyesana-sutta) in the Middle-length Discourses (Majjhima-nikaya). In it we can almost believe we are hearing a memory of the Buddha's own words, as he recounts his going forth, his study under great meditation teachers, his eventually leaving them, his austerities, and finally his awakening. Dhivan draws out some of the continuing significance of the story of the noble quest, as a kind of blueprint for the model of the Dharma life as heroic self-development. Excerpted from the talk given at , 2016. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41310980

Confronting Mara 05/05/2026

Confronting Mara How can we work with our own inner voices that undermine our practice and limit our lives? draws this out, using the stories of early Buddhist women encountering 'Mara' - the embodiment of all that holds us back. Excerpted from the talk entitled from the retreat at , 2026. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41155195

A Conscious Effort to be Kind 05/05/2026

A Conscious Effort to be Kind shares ways we can touch the transcendent in simple, everyday moments of devotion. Looking at the works and life of Milarepa for inspiration and guidance, the session will help us go beyond what we might understand the Dharma Path to be. Excerpted from the talk entitled given at , 2019. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41154780

Transforming Demons 05/01/2026

Transforming Demons explores how working with emotion can be a radical process for transformation. Excerpted from the talk entitled Perfect Emotion given at , 2021. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41115790

Maintaining Our Vision 04/27/2026

Maintaining Our Vision A fascinating lecture, previously unreleased. It was given on WBO Day on the 20th anniversary of the Order's foundation and sees reflecting in an intimate, impromptu mood on impermanence and his own thoughts and hopes for the future. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Next Twenty Years, 1988. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41029500

Together, A Force for Good in the World 04/27/2026

Together, A Force for Good in the World Here, introduces Avalokitesvara, he who hears the cries of the world. This Bodhisattva is the embodiment of the myth of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Through the image of Avalokitesvara’s thousand compassionate hands, we’ll explore how our community can become a single Bodhisattva—responsive, open-hearted, and alive to suffering in the world. Excerpted from the talk entitled Sangha As Goal given at , 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/41029220

Views that Liberate the Mind 04/16/2026

Views that Liberate the Mind Here, focuses on the Buddha's experience before, during and after Enlightenment, bringing his nuanced, perceptive reading to the words the Buddha himself is said to have employed in order to best evoke his experiences as he struggled to give voice to them. Excerpted from the talk entitled given as part of the book launch for 'Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One' (Quercus, 2011), , 2011, a fitting conclusion to a wonderfully insightful series called . *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/40897875

The Buddha’s Gift of Communication 04/16/2026

The Buddha’s Gift of Communication In this lecture shows how the symbolism of ritual offerings originated in the Hinayana and Mahayana, and later flowered with the Tantric offerings, particularly the offering of the Mandala. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice as part of the series , 1972. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/40896980

Concentration meditation and presence meditation 04/10/2026

Concentration meditation and presence meditation was ordained in 2000, and became a parent soon after. Since then he has been exploring, often through necessity, ways to meditate with children around. He has led Meditation for Parents workshops at the Buddhafield Festival and at the Buddhafield Village retreat, as well at some local Buddhist Centres; with the aim of demonstrating that practicing with your young children present is not just possible, there can be some huge benefits in this form of practice. Excerpted from the talk entitled given as part of the , 2015. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/40799510

Through the Lens of Love 04/10/2026

Through the Lens of Love , author of A Path For Parents, offers some key practical insights for anyone trying to figure out how to go deeper with their practice while raising children. We get a moving evocation of parenting as a distinct context for working with our conditioning, our views, and for learning to break our habits in order to cultivate ever deeper levels of awareness and love. And as you might expect, all the earned wisdom of this talk is actually applicable to everyone who wants to find the path to practice in every moment. A splendidly encouraging, properly challenging talk in that respect. Excerpted from the talk entitled given as part of the Mothers Retreat, , 2015. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: Spotify: /episode/index/show/dharmabytes/id/40799520

Dharmabytes from Free Buddhist Audio

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