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THE MIDDLE LENGTH DISCOURSES OF THE BUDDHA

THE MIDDLE LENGTH DISCOURSES OF THE BUDDHA

Translated by Bhikkhu Ñānamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi
Read by Taradasa
47 hours 22 minutes
 

This audiobook offers a complete translation of the Majjhima Nikāya, or Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, one of the major collections of texts in the Pāli Canon, the authorized scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. This collection – among the oldest records of the historical Buddha’s original teachings – consists of 152 suttas or discourses of middle length, distinguished as such from the longer and shorter suttas of the other collections. Continue Reading →

THE DIAMOND SUTRA THE HEART SUTRA THE SUTRA OF HUI NENG

THE DIAMOND SUTRA
THE HEART SUTRA
THE SUTRA OF HUI NENG

Read by Ratnadhya
5 hours 7 minutes
 

Sangharakshita teaching during his early years in India

These three sutras are the most important texts for the Chan (Chinese) and Zen (Japanese) Buddhist traditions, though they are very different in character and provenance. The Diamond Sutra (Vajracheddikā Prajña Pārāmitā Sutra in Sanskrit) has the distinction of being “the earliest complete survival of a dated (11 May 868) printed book’. It was found in the Dunhuang Caves in China in 1900. The title, Diamond Cutter, outlines its purpose, which is to cut through ignorance to attain to perfect wisdom or ultimate reality. Continue Reading →

THE VIMALAKIRTI SUTRA

THE VIMALAKIRTI SUTRA

Translated by Burton Watson
Read by Taradasa
5 hours 23 minutes
 

The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the most popular of all Mahayana sutras, being especially loved and revered in the Far East. One of the reasons for the Sutra’s popularity is that its principal character, Vimalakirti, is not a Buddha or a Bodhisattva, or even a monk, but a layman with a family living in Vaishali in India, leading – apparently – a secular life. Continue Reading →

BUDDHIST MEDITATION: THE HEART

BUDDHIST MEDITATION: THE HEART

By Vessantara
Read by Vessantara
TBC hours TBC minutes
 

Loving kindness is one of the most important principles in Buddhism, and the ‘metta bhavana’, traditionally devised by the Buddha to develop it, is one of the most popular and important meditation practices. It is used throughout the world – practised in both in a secular and a Buddhist context for, as Vessantara (Tony McMahon) the English-born Buddhist meditation teacher with 40 years of experience declares, it appeals to, and is effective for, everyone regardless of views or faith. Continue Reading →

BUDDHIST MEDITATION: THE BREATH

BUDDHIST MEDITATION: THE BREATH

By Vessantara
Read by Vessantara
3 hours 30 minutes
 

The Mindfulness of Breathing meditation has been practised in the Buddhist tradition for 2,500 year. It is now widely used not just among Buddhists, but increasingly in the secular world as the basis of mindfulness training, and in other contexts such as yoga and, in recent times, stress and pain management. Continue Reading →

MEDITATION – NOW OR NEVER

MEDITATION – NOW OR NEVER

By Steve Hagen
Read William Hope
4 hours 43 minutes
 

 

In Meditation Now or Never Steve Hagen, a Zen priest and bestselling author of Buddhism Plain and Simple, provides an accessible and thorough manual on meditation, for both newcomers and experienced practitioners. In the modern world our lives are more frenetic than ever. We live with a burning sense that we have to get something done. Continue Reading →

THERAGĀTHĀ

THERAGĀTHĀ – Poems of Early Buddhist Monks

Translated by Mrs Caroline Rhys Davids and Ajahn Sujato
Read by Ratnadhya and Tejasvini
10 hours 46 minutes
 

The Theragāthā is one of the most striking texts in the Pāli Canon. It is a collection of 264 poems or verses – some short, some long –  by monks who, traditionally, lived at the time of the Buddha, and which expressed their experience of insight, the culmination of their spiritual path. In fact, it is generally recognised now that this collection was added to over the years, so that some of the verses date from a later time. Continue Reading →

WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT

WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT

By Walpola Sri Rahula
Read by Taradasa
6 hours 20 minutes
 

Long regarded as one of the best introductions to Buddhism, What the Buddha Taught draws on the actual words spoken by the Buddha to give a lucid and accurate account of the fundamental principles of Buddhist doctrine. Continue Reading →

GREAT DISCIPLES OF THE BUDDHA

great-disciples-of-the-buddhaGREAT DISCIPLES OF THE BUDDHA
Their Lives, Their Works, Their Legacy

By Nyanaponika Thera & Hellmuth Hecker
Edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Read by Ratnadhya, Nicolette McKenzie, William Hope
18 hours 20 minutes
 

Michael Lunts   Nicolette McKenzie  William Hope

Twenty-four of the Buddha’s most distinguished disciples are brought to life in ten chapters of rich narration. They include monks who were very close to him throughout his life, including Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna; his cousin and companion Ānanda; his principal women disciples, including the nun Isidāsī and his lay disciple, the courtesan Ambapāli; and the serial killer Angulimāla whose character was transformed after meeting the Buddha. Continue Reading →

ANNIHILATION OF CASTE

annihilation-of-caste
ANNIHILATION OF CASTE

By Dr B. R. Ambedkar
Read by Sagar Arya
4 hours 06 minutes
 

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. But 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. Continue Reading →