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summer in the mountains

From Akashavana on Fri, 4 Nov, 2016 - 09:10

summer in the mountains

From Akashavana on Fri, 4 Nov, 2016 - 09:10

“What a beautiful, peaceful valley alternately scoured and cooked by weather patterns that clearly haven’t heard of ‘the middle way’.  My ten days there went from hot-water bottle, lumber jacket and woolly hat (all borrowed I’m afraid, my girl guide camping badge is now sadly forfeit) to coveting the shade.  So maybe I didn’t manage to embrace the cold; there was no problem, however, luxuriating in the wood-burning stove, slippers and coffee…Thank you Community for hugging us in!  I loved...
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Free Buddhist Audio

Annihilation of Caste

From Community Highlights on Fri, 4 Nov, 2016 - 00:00

Dr B. R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) was one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of India. He was born in poor circumstances as an Untouchable – high castes regarded physical contact with Untouchables as polluting and condemned them to do the dirtiest of jobs, sweeping and the collection of human detritus.

Dr Ambedkar’s natural ability and determination (and some good fortune) enabled him to rise above caste prejudice and become one of the founding fathers of modern India. He was the chief architect of the Indian constitution introduced at Independence in 1947 and saw the concept of Untouchability made illegal. But he had campaigned for decades. In 1936 Dr Ambedkar wrote a speech – famously not delivered – in which he outlined the case against the whole existence of caste divisions in India. In Annihilation of Caste, rationally and methodically, he takes apart the basis on which caste exists, and which has delivered harm, pain and misery on untold generations – and continues to do so. I

ndividuals such as Mahatma Gandhi shamefully continued to defend caste distinctions (his response is included here). Even today, in modern India, many of the 200 million Dalits (as the ex-Untouchables now call themselves) experience severe prejudice and violence. Annihilation of Caste is as important a political statement concerning basic human rights as The Rights of Man or The Communist Manifesto, and is just as relevant in the 21st century where caste and class still exercise a baleful effect on society.

In 1956, despairing of true justice for the ex-Untouchables within Hinduism, Dr Ambedkar, and millions of his followers, converted to Buddhism.

Read by Sagar Agya.

With thanks to Dharma Audiobooks: dharmaaudiobooks.com

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Free Buddhist Audio

Finding Out Who We Really Are

From Cambridge Buddhist Centre on Fri, 4 Nov, 2016 - 00:00
As part of our series of talks for Sangha Night on the Four Dimensions of Awareness, Ratnadharini gives a candid talk on Awareness of Self.
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shraddhavani

Sunday Program - The Path Forward

From Portsmouth Buddhist Center on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 18:49

Sunday Program - The Path Forward

From Portsmouth Buddhist Center on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 18:49

This Sunday, November 6, we will continue with our topic of recent weeks - how to work with our mind to move toward greater positivity and equanimity.  This week and next, Dh. Candradasa, will lead us in looking at “Knowing Where You’re Going And Steering A Clear Path.”  Here’s what Candradasa has to say: 

“The Buddha’s Dharma is designed to help you map your own path by learning how your mind works. As we journey along together as a community, we’ll take...
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mumukshu

Instant in a mug with cow's

From Akashavana on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 17:58

Instant in a mug with cow's

From Akashavana on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 17:58

It has been a busy summer at Akashavana, with a great bunch of women camping at the community to do lots of work with us. A few of them have promised to write something for this blog, and this is the first contribution, from Colette Power. The news of the uk vote to leave the EU came through when the first volunteers had been with us for a week or so. You will see the relevance.

Instant in a Mug with Cows

‘You...
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Prajnaketu

Power of Community - Ecodharma

From Triratna Young Buddhists on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 14:00

Power of Community - Ecodharma

From Triratna Young Buddhists on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 14:00

Alex Swain from Ecodharma writes about an exciting new year-long program at the centre in Spain:

The program will run from April 2017 to March 2018 for four volunteers who will each take on a key area of responsibility within the team here and live and work as part of the community.

It will be an opportunity for people to work in a team-based right livelihood for a year and gain experience of intensive community living with other committed Dharma practitioners. There will be...
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Prajnaketu

NNBY Fundraising

From Triratna Young Buddhists on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 13:51

NNBY Fundraising

From Triratna Young Buddhists on Thu, 3 Nov, 2016 - 13:51

From Jo Cross:

I am currently fundraising for the NNBY which is a youth organisation set up and run by young Indian Buddhists. The recent trip to India was in conjunction with this charity and myself and the others met a large number of the Buddhists in this network.
 
NNBY is vital to young Indian Buddhists as it gives them a chance to connect with other young people and grow as a Sangha all across India. Buddhism...
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Candradasa

Sadhanas and Mula Yogas From The 2016 Conventions

From Order Dharma on Wed, 2 Nov, 2016 - 21:34

Sadhanas and Mula Yogas From The 2016 Conventions

From Order Dharma on Wed, 2 Nov, 2016 - 21:34

We’ve had some requests for Sadhana and Mula Yoga recordings from the 2016 summer Order conventions. 

We posted some at the time (see below). The rest of the recordings are all waiting to be remastered - which is important for longterm use online as they are quite noisy and not so conducive for listening to as one meditates along… It’s a bit different to actually being there!

That said, there are a lot of them...
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The Abhayaratna...

Writing a Will Part 4: DIY Wills vs. Using a Solicitor

From Abhayaratna Trust on Wed, 2 Nov, 2016 - 13:43

Writing a Will Part 4: DIY Wills vs. Using a Solicitor

From Abhayaratna Trust on Wed, 2 Nov, 2016 - 13:43

The cost of making a will can be off-putting. Writing your own will may be an appealing option; however it is generally advised against, as any mistakes can cause confusion and be costly down the line.

If your will is very straightforward (e.g.  if you are married and simply want to leave everything to your partner) then you might wish to look into the option of writing it yourself. There are plenty of templates available for writing your own will.

Another option might be...
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Free Buddhist Audio

Rejoicing In Merit

From Croydon Buddhist Centre on Wed, 2 Nov, 2016 - 00:00
This is a talk in our Transforming Self And World series, in which we are looking at the sevenfold puja. Vijayasri explores the Rejoicing in Merit section of the Puja by considering examples, from different suttas, of the Buddha and other monks rejoicing in the qualities of the people around them. We look at rejoicing in merit as a skilful means which leads to the ends of suffering. This talk starts with the sangha chanting the Refugees and Precepts and concludes with a led meditation on skilful qualities. The talk was given at Croydon Buddhist Centre as part of our regular Saturday morning Sangha class, in 2016.
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