Buddhist ethics are not about conforming to a set of conventions, not about ‘being good’ in order to gain rewards. Instead, living ethically springs from the awareness that other people are no different from yourself. You can actively develop this awareness, through cultivating love, clarity and contentment, which can ultimately help us to come into greater harmony with all that lives. Jnanavaca, a senior Order member and President of the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, reflects on the nature of Buddhist ethics and the creative mind.

The third layer of the wheel of life depicts the six realms of worldly existence: the kinds of world we can live in according to our state of mind. Building on the fundamental truth of karma - the fact that actions have consequences - the six realms show how our experience of life, the world and other people is shaped in dependence upon the mental states that result from how we act. In this talk, Bodhinaga gives us a tour of three of these realms, helping us to recognise when we're in them and what the Buddha offers as a way to uplift our mental states and leave these worldly realms. The traditional language of the titan realm, the hungry ghosts and the hell realm could be translated in today's words as 'big egos, addicts and beings in pain'. By understanding which realm we tend to inhabit, we can choose the best path to overcome our habitual mental states and move towards a world where we can be healthy, happy and make spiritual progress. This series of talks explores three great Buddhist symbols that describe the way things are: the wheel of life, the spiral path and the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Together they form a guide to escape from the ultimate vicious circle into the complete freedom and fulfilment of Awakening. Questions for reflection and discussion: Which of these three realms do you spend most time in? What is it that really nourishes you? Recorded at Sheffield Buddhist Centre on 21.1.20

An inspiring and practical talk to prepare for the new decade. Given on a big weekend retreat at Vajrasana with a great mix of levels of experience, so suitable for beginners and old hands. Provoked by Padmasambhava's advice to Queen Ngang Chung, which covers meditation, renunciation, lifestyle and emptiness. "As in an empty house the raindrops slowly gather..."