Audiobooks narrated by Taradasa

Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya: Volume 3

In this, the final volume in Dharma Audiobooks' compilation of the Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya, the major work, and in some ways the most unusual, is Milinda's Questions. For while the other two, the Buddhava?sa and the Cariyapitaka, may date from the early years of Buddhism, there is no doubt that Milinda's Questions comes from a later period. Modern scholars place it between 100 BCE and 200 CE – with sections being added as the years passed. And even though only the Burmese tradition places it within the Khuddaka Nikaya collection, it is a uniquely fascinating, challenging and even entertaining document. The Milinda Pañha (its formal Pali name) brings together Milinda, a Greek-Bactrian king and Nagasena, a monk. (Milinda was actually an historical figure known as Menander). Having studied the Dhamma, Milinda searches in vain for a learned monk who can answer his questions and satisfy his doubts – in vain, that is, until he encounters Nagasena. When they meet, Milinda instructs his attendants to depart leaving the two of them alone, and so ensues an intense period of question and answer covering a wide range of Dhamma topics. Again and again, Milinda challenges Nagasena, sometimes forcefully. The questions demonstrate that the king has studied and prepared for this encounter – but he is surprised (and not displeased!) that this simple monk can allay all his doubts. The dialogue is wide-ranging and even combative at times, but deeply immersed in Buddhist philosophy and views; and if, at times, it also reflects the culture and faith of an ancient time, it can be enjoyed on many levels. Faith is very much present in the other two texts which, on this recording, precede Milinda's Questions. In the Buddhava?sa (the Chronicle of Buddhas) the Buddha Gotama relates the circumstances and history of the 24 previous Buddhas, and the early steps on the Bodhisatta path which led eventually to his own awakening. The Cariyapitaka, Basket of Conduct is from a slightly later, (probably post-Asokan) period. The translator I. B. Horner writes: ‘It is a collection of thirty-five stories, each descriptive of conduct engaged in by the Bodhisatta when, in birth after birth as deva, man, animal, snake, bird or fish, he was consolidating the vast aim he had set himself aeons ago of winning omniscience by gradually mastering the ten perfections'. Ratnadhya and Taradasa bring years of experience and understanding to their readings.

Anonymous, I.B. Horner (Author), Ratnadhya, Taradasa (Narrator)

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Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya: Volume 1

The Khuddaka Nikaya is different in character from the other four Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka in the Theravada Pali Canon in that rather than being a single work it is, as its customary translation ‘Minor Anthologies' suggests, a collection of independent works. A true anthology! It contains some of the most important and well-known works in the Pali Canon, including the Dhammapada, the Udana, the Sutta Nipata and the Jataka Tales; and, in some recensions, Milinda's Questions. There are also other works less-known to many Buddhists and students of Buddhism, such as the Vimanavatthu, the Therigatha and the Theragatha. These offer a wider perspective on the Dhamma as it has been lived through the centuries. Yet, perhaps because of its ‘anthology' character and wide range, the Khuddaka Nikaya is less familiar in its entirety than the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, the Sa?yutta Nikaya, and the A?guttara Nikaya which are more self-contained. Now, for the first time on audio, Dharma Audiobooks has brought together a compilation of the Principal Texts, spread over three volumes. Listening to all three will, it is hoped, give the interested listener a clear and satisfying overview of the Anthology. Volume 1 contains the Khuddaka Patha, Dhammapada, Udana, Itivuttaka, Sutta Nipata, Vimanavatthu and Petavatthu. Each one has its own introduction, some short, some comprehensive. To many with some familiarity of the Pali Canon, it will offer an opportunity to revisit some of the central Buddhist texts, including the Dhammapada and the Udana – Inspired Utterances of the Buddha. But even for the ‘many' an encounter with the Vimanavatthu – Stories of the Mansions and Petavatthu – Stories of the Departed will come as a surprise, for here we venture into the more mythical area of the Dhamma. In the Vimanavatthu we find ourselves visiting the ‘Mansions' inhabited by the devas, a pleasant and enjoyable environment won through the karmic result of good deeds. We meet the devas who explain how, though often people living ordinary and unprivileged lives, find themselves unexpectedly transported to ethereal regions. The Petavatthu, by contrast, display the darker side of karma, and features a succession of ghost stories. These important works are presented by readers who know their subjects from personal practice and study.

Anonymous (Author), Elizabeth English, Jinananda Jinananda, Ratnadhya, Taradasa (Narrator)

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Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya: Volume 2

This is Volume 2 of Dharma Audiobooks' ground-breaking overview of Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya, the fifth section of the Sutta Pitaka in the Theravada Pali Canon. Far less known than the first four (Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Sa?yutta Nikaya, A?guttara Nikaya) perhaps because of its character as an anthology rather than a self-contained work, it nevertheless contains gems which are only too easily overlooked or even underappreciated! As with Volume 1, Volume 2 follows the traditional ordering of the individual works in the Khuddaka Nikaya, which makes for a curious, but invigorating collection. The first two texts, Therigatha and Theragatha, present the traditional histories of the bhikkhunis (nuns) and bhikkhus (monks) of the Buddha's time. In each case, their biographies (written centuries later by Dharmapala who had access to sources now lost) lead to verses ascribed to the real individuals on gaining nibbana. Here are fascinating glimpses of life at the time of the Buddha. The third work in Volume 2 can hardly be more different. The Jatakas (birth stories) is a delightful and absorbing collection of legendary stories of the previous life of the Buddha, how his actions in the past—as animal or human—led progressively along the path towards Buddhahood. In its entirety, the Jatakas is huge—157 tales extending to nearly one million words. Here, Dharma Audiobooks presents a selection of 40 tales, including 'The Story of the Baby Quail', 'The Story of the Hare', 'The Miserly Treasurer', 'The Queen's Necklace', leading to 'Jataka 157', the famous—and long—'Vessantara-Jataka', 'The Paramita of Perfect Generosity'. With the Western cultural tradition of Aesop's Stories in our minds, it is easy to smile benignly as these tales unfold...but to generations of Buddhist followers down the ages, they had a deeper function than merely to entertain or point to a simple moral. Altogether, Volume 2 of Principal Texts of the Khuddaka Nikaya offers a rather special Dhammic experience.

Anonymous (Author), Elizabeth English, Jinananda Jinananda, Ratnadhya, Taradasa, Tejasvini, Vishvantara (Narrator)

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The Numbered Discourses: A Translation of the A?guttara Nikaya

The Numbered Discourses (A?guttara Nikaya) is the last and longest of the four primary divisions of the Sutta Pi?aka, (Baskets of Discourses) that make up the main original teachings of the Buddha. The word a?guttara literally means 'up by one factor', i.e. 'incremental'. It refers to the fact that the discourses are arranged by numbered sets, with the numbers increasing by one. It is divided into 11 Books (nipata), each arranged in varying number of Chapters (vaggas), which themselves contain numerous suttas (often grouped in thematic clusters). There are some 8,122 discourses in all. The underlying organising principle is, thus, quite straightforward: each Book presents a particular number or set of items providing a route to easy assimilation and memorisation. 'The Book of the Twos', for example, is used for pairs, which may be partners, hands, eyes, man and wife, opponents; good versus evil, light versus dark, pain versus pleasure; even skill in entering meditation and skill in leaving it. It represents the dualities of the world. It must be said, however, that the apparent simplicity of the overall structure is not always reflected in a straightforward presentation of the content. This can, at times, seem arbitrary, and is certainly repetitious. But The Numbered Discourses is one of the most accessible of the Nikayas for its focus is often on practical matters of everyday relevance. Guidelines of ethics and character predominate. If the Sa?yutta Nikaya gathers the chief teachings on doctrines, the A?guttara Nikaya gathers the teachings on persons: the concerns of the lay community are a major concern. For this reason the A?guttara provides an excellent entry point to the Pali Canon, especially for those with a limited amount of time. It only takes a few minutes to digest a sutta that will contain within itself a complete and useful teaching. The Sa?yutta is like a school curriculum: everything you need to know on a topic, all in one place. But the A?guttara is like a school day. Though The Numbered Discourses covers a vast ground, social and practical matters predominate: issues of family, friendship and harmony within secular and spiritual communities. The Buddha advises on common practicalities and higher progress across the range of human activities. In doing so, he encounters individuals from all walks of life, from kings, courtesans and artisans to numerous spiritual seekers, both from the Buddhist Sangha and other ‘wanderers' following different paths. He also has many encounters with Brahmins and other high-caste individuals who sometimes set out specifically to challenge his wisdom and authority while others come to learn. The manner in which he deals with these approaches - with clarity, irrefutable logic, confidence, humour and sometimes uncompromising refutation - reveals the character of the Buddha himself. This new and modern English version of The Numbered Discourses is by the Australian-born Theravadin monk Bhikkhu Sujato, who has undertaken a translation of the four main Nikayas expressly to present the works in an accessible manner for the 21st century. He has dealt flexibly with the numerous repetitions embedded in the original texts - eliding sentences where necessary to keep the content and the message fresh and alive. He has further given his Dhamma translations a new character by boldly giving new English expressions for primary Pali words. Among them are ‘extinguishment' for nibbana, ‘absorption' f

Bhikkhu Sujato (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya

The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Digha Nikaya) is the first of the five Nikayas (Collections) in the Sutta Pitaka and has its own particular character. Unlike the others which contain thousands of shorter discourses (suttas), it comprises just 34 but of much longer length - as the name indicates! This makes it in some ways a more focused collection of teachings of the Buddha and especially accessible in audio. Among them are some important texts distinctive in character and crucial to the early Buddhist tradition. The Long Discourses is divided into three chapters or Vaggas: Chapter on Ethics (Silakkhanda Vagga), The Great Chapter (Maha Vagga) and finally Chapter on Patikaputta (Patikaputta Vagga). Throughout The Long Discourses many different expositions of and approaches to the Dhamma are presented. The Chapter on Ethics (teachings on morality, meditation and wisdom) opens with The Prime Net. It is an absorbing discussion of the many (62!) philosophical speculations which the Buddha declares are not conducive to the main purpose of his teaching to attain ‘extinguishment' or nibbana - and are thus just distractions. The Great Chapter has The Great Discourse on the Buddha's Extinguishment (the Mahaparanibbana Sutta), which tells of the events surrounding the Buddha's death. It is the longest of all the 34 Discourses and in many ways is the centrepiece of the Collection. Also here can be found The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation, the most extensive elucidation of mindfulness in the Pali Canon. The whole Collection draws to a close with two discourses featuring Sariputta - who gives clear and unequivocal listings of Buddhist doctrines arranged in numerical sequence. This new and modern English version of The Long Discourses is by the Australian-born Theravadin monk Bhikkhu Sujato, who has undertaken a translation of the four main Nikayas expressly to present the works in an accessible manner for the 21st century. He has dealt flexibly with the numerous repetitions embedded in the original texts - eliding sentences where necessary to keep the content and the message fresh and alive. He has further given his translations a new character by boldly taking the primary Pali words central to our reception of the Dhamma to date and given them a new expression in English: ‘extinguishment' for nibbana', ‘absorption' for jhana, immersion' for samadhi and ‘the Realised One' for Tathagata. In this manner, Bhikkhu Sujato has made a particularly welcome contribution to the 21st dissemination of the Dhamma, and it is nowhere more evident than in The Long Discourses. He has also offered brief but meaningful introductions to each of the 34 Discourses which helpfully set the topic or the scene. The Long Discourses is read in an engaged and clear manner by Taradasa.

Bhikkhu Sujato (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Sam?yutta Nikaya

This volume offers a complete translation of the Sam?yutta Nika¯ya, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha, the third of the four great collections in the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon. The Sam?yutta Nika¯ya consists of 56 chapters, each governed by a unifying theme that binds together the Buddha's suttas or discourses. The chapters are organised into five major parts. The first, 'The Book with Verses', is a compilation of suttas composed largely in verse. This book ranks as one of the most inspiring compilations in the Buddhist canon, showing the Buddha in his full grandeur as the peerless 'teacher of gods and humans'. The other four books deal in depth with the philosophical principles and meditative structures of early Buddhism. They combine into orderly chapters all the important short discourses of the Buddha on such major topics as dependent origination, the five aggregates, the six sense bases, the seven factors of enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. Among the four large Nikayas belonging to the Pali Canon, the Sam?yutta Nika¯ya serves as the repository for the many shorter suttas of the Buddha where he discloses his radical insights into the nature of reality and his unique path to spiritual emancipation. This collection, it seems, was directed mainly at those disciples who were capable of grasping the deepest dimensions of wisdom and of clarifying them for others, and also provided guidance to meditators intent on consummating their efforts with the direct realisation of the ultimate truth. The present work begins with an insightful general introduction to the Sam?yutta Nika¯ya as a whole. Each of the five parts is also provided with its own introduction, intended to guide the listener through this vast, ocean-like collection of suttas. Distinguished by its lucidity and technical precision, this new translation makes this ancient collection of the Buddha's discourses accessible and comprehensible to the thoughtful listener of today. Like its two predecessors in this series, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha is sure to merit a place of honour in the library of every serious student of Buddhism. Bhikkhu Bodhi is an American Buddhist monk originally from New York City. Ordained in Sri Lanka in 1972, he has been for many years the president and editor of the Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy. His previous publications include several other important translations from the Pali Canon, including a revised and annotated version of Bhikkhu Ñanamoli's translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha.

Bhikkhu Bodhi (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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The Lotus Sutra: The White Lotus Sutra of the True Dharma

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important Mahayana texts and the most widely read, chanted and revered, particularly in Asian Buddhist countries, notably China and Japan. It is the root text, so to speak, of the ‘Pure Land' schools, which often regard it as the principal Buddhist sutra, the study and practice of which projects the participant along the path to nirvana. It is certainly a remarkable document, replete with the Mahayana characteristics of fantastical images, extraordinary appearances, magical happenings, views of time and space which are galactic in size and pronouncements which are definite, unequivocal, practical in some areas and dependent upon a faith commitment in others. First and foremost, it proclaims the one yana or vehicle of the Mahayana teaching as preeminent over other teachings, especially those following the paths of the sravakayana (the hearers - the bhikshus) and the pratyekabuddhas (those attaining enlightenment through a solitary path) but also the lay men and lay women. These are the ‘four classes of assembly' who, according the Lotus Sutra, have been following the ‘preliminary' teachings presented by the Buddha Sakyamuni as an ‘expedient' (skilful means). The Lotus Sutra sees the Buddha, teaching from the Gridhrakuta, the Vulture Peak, the full teaching of the Mahayana which leads unerringly (if over aeons in larger numbers than the sands of the Ganges!) to nirvana. Contained within the 27 chapters are many of the principal Buddhist teachings seen in all the schools across the world: the four noble truths, the 12 nidana chain, the six paramitas or perfections; again and again the qualities of mindfulness, diligence, patience and spiritual vigour or energy are propounded - without these, nirvana is not attainable. In short, the path to enlightenment is not for the faint-hearted. Around these core teachings are magical stories of numerous Buddhas from different time eras appearing to support the teaching of Sakyamuni; bodhisattvas appearing from cracks in the ground; the Buddha Prabhutaratna, a Buddha of the far past, appearing in a jewelled stupa; celestial chariots flitting around the sky; and the familiar bodhisattvas of Manjusri, Maitreya, Bhaishajyaraja and many others all have a place in this ultimate cosmic drama. The Lotus Sutra is an extraordinary vision, far from the more practical, straightforward texts of the Pali Canon. For those not accustomed to extreme Mahayana images it can appear very strange indeed. But for those prepared to go with it, it is remarkably absorbing, with a particular charisma and, without belittling it, even charm. That said, it has not been without controversy in the Pure Land tradition, and its often-repeated insistence on its efficacy by some practitioners over the years has occasionally led it into controversial areas. Nevertheless, it is a pinnacle of world Buddhist literature. The Lotus Sutra was originally a Sanskrit text, Saddharma Pundarika, which is translated variously - here, it is The White Lotus Sutra of the True Dharma, though it is generally known by its short version. Its popularity in the East is based on a fifth-century translation by the respected Chinese translator Kumarajiva, and most of the recent English translations have come from this Chinese source. However, the first Western translations (from a Sanskrit text originating from Nepal) were by Eugène Burnouf into French in the 1852; and then, using the same source, by the Dutch tr

Hendrik Kern, Nicolas Soames (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya

This book offers a complete translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, or Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, one of the major collections of texts in the Pali Canon, the authorised 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. The Majjhima Nikaya might be concisely described as the Buddhist scripture that combines the richest variety of contextual settings with the deepest and most comprehensive assortment of teachings. These teachings, which range from basic ethics to instructions in meditation and liberating insight, unfold in a fascinating procession of scenarios that show the Buddha in living dialogue with people from many different strata of ancient Indian society: with kings and princes, priests and ascetics, simple villagers and erudite philosophers. Replete with drama, reasoned argument, and illuminating parable and simile, these discourses exhibit the Buddha in the full glory of his resplendent wisdom, majestic sublimity and compassionate humanity. The translation is based on an original draft translation left by the English scholar-monk Bhikkhu Ñanamoli, which has been edited and revised by the American monk Bhikkhu Bodhi, who provides a long introduction and helpful explanatory notes. Combining lucidity of expression with accuracy, this translation enables the Buddha to speak across 25 centuries in language that addresses the most pressing concerns of the contemporary listener seeking clarification of the timeless issues of truth, value and the proper conduct of life. Winner of the 1995 Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book Award and the Tricycle Prize for Excellence in Buddhist Publishing for Dharma Discourse.

Bhikkhu Bodhi, Bhikkhu Nanamoli, Bhikkhu ñanamoli (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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The Vimalakirti Sutra

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. This does not hinder his ability, the Sutra proclaims to be a man of remarkable spiritual understanding and attainment - so much so that he confidently lectures and advises arhats (enlightened-monks) and bodhisattvas (perfected individuals working for the enlightenment of all) on spiritual matters. These range from the 10 precepts to be observed (including not harming beings, the practices of generosity and skilful speech) to the six perfections (including morality, renunciation, spiritual vigour and equanimity) and the four immeasurable qualities including loving kindness, compassion and empathetic joy. The central chapter, and the climax of the Sutra is a long and rich discourse on nonduality. Unusually for such a work, the Vimalakirti Sutra is threaded with touches of humour. The story which frames the work recounts how Vimalakirti feigns an illness in order to prompt arhats - figures such as Shariputra and Subhuti - as well as numerous Bodhisattvas to visit him and inquire after his health, thus creating opportunities for the famous layman to expound the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching. They are initially reluctant to make the visit because they have, in the past, encountered Vimalakirti's skill and received a bit of a spiritual drubbing! All this is cast in a mythical and imaginative Mahayana setting with thousands of figures of all kinds from all the realms of the many worlds finally coming to visit Vimalakirti - and all fitting comfortably in his small house in Vaishali. Though of Sanskrit origin, it is not known when or where the Vimalakirti Sutra was written, but it is the translation by the fifth-century Chinese scholar monk Kumarajiva which has provided us with the fullest and most satisfactory source text, and which Burton Watson has used to render it into English. The Vimalakirti Sutra is read with presence and understanding by Taradasa.

Anonymous, Burton Watson (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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What the Buddha Taught

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. Richly supported by extracts from the ancient texts, Walpola Rahula gives clear and direct explanations of Buddhism's essential teachings including: the Buddhist attitude of mind the Four Noble Truths The Noble Eightfold Path meditation and mental development what the Buddha taught and the world today. What the Buddha Taught also features an illustrative selection of texts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada. The Venerable Dr Walpola Sri Rahula was a Buddhist monk and scholar. He received a traditional training and education in his native Sri Lanka before studying at the University of Calcutta and the Sorbonne. He held a chair at Northwestern University, Illinois, and was Vice-Chancellor of Vidyodaya University, Colombo. He was widely regarded as one of the most qualified and enlightened scholars of the Buddhist tradition with a deep knowledge of the original texts.

Walpola Sri Rahula (Author), Taradasa (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Taradasa