Buddhist Audio, Theravada

Dharma Audio, Audio Dharma

In case you didn’t know, there is an AMAZING proliferation of dharma-audio on the web these days. An attempt to catalog all of the sites offering hours and hours of wonderful talks, chanting, and discussion, even in just one tradition, is well beyond me at this time.

However, I will send you off for a taste with three wonderful websites:

Audiodharma.org – This site focuses on the talks of Gil Fronsdal, at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. It also includes guest talks from dozens of other wonderful teachers. The focus is mainly on Theravada (Insight/Vipassana), but there is a strong Zen element as well, and countless other topics are woven into this vibrant tapestry of dhamma.
Bhavanasociety.org – This site is devoted exclusively to the talks given by the monastics (and one lay teacher) at the Bhavana Society in West Virginia. Perhaps the best thing to come out of my time living near Washington D.C. last year was a visit to this peaceful mountain monastery. The head abbot, Sri Lanka born Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, is author of one of the classics of contemporary Buddhism, Mindfulness in Plain English. His talks are filled with history, folklore, Pali language lessons and more.
Buddhanet.net/audio – This extraordinary welth of audio (and more throughout the site) could keep one occupied for weeks. It features Buddhist chanting in several languages, numerous Dharma talks, Buddhist songs, meditation instruction and more.

There’s a start for anyone new to the world of online Buddhist audio. There is still no replacing having a personal connection with a teacher and a community of spiritual friends. But these talks can help fill one’s life outside of those with greater shraddha (or confidence) and understanding of Buddhism.

Wishing all beings happiness as we approach the Ides of March and the blossoming of spring…