Buddhist Audio Books

Sangharakshita was one of the founding fathers of Western Buddhism.

He was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925, and had a Church of England upbringing. But from an early age he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East. Aged 16, after reading the Diamond Sutra, he had a distinct realisation that he was a Buddhist. He became involved in London's germinal Buddhist world in wartime Britain, and started to explore the Dharma through study and practice.

Conscription in the Second World War took him to Sri Lanka as a signals operator, and after the war he stayed on in India. For two years he lived as a wandering mendicant, and later he was ordained as a Theravadin Buddhist monk and named Sangharakshita ('protected by the spiritual community'). Sangharakshita lived for 14 years in the Himalayan town of Kalimpong, where he encountered venerable Tibetan Buddhist teachers - so he had the opportunity to study intensively under leading teachers from all major Buddhist traditions. All the while he taught and wrote extensively. He is the author of over 50 books. Most of these are expositions of the Buddhist tradition, but he also published a large amount of poetry and four volumes of memoirs, as well as works on aspects of western culture and the arts from a Buddhist perspective. After 20 years in India, Sangharakshita returned to the UK to teach the Dharma. In 1967 he set up the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order - a new Buddhist movement for the modern West, which is now called the Triratna Buddhist Community.

Sangharakshita was a translator between East and West, between the traditional world and the modern, between timeless principles and relevant practices. His clear thinking, depth of experience and ecumenical approach have been appreciated around the world. He always emphasised the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and the arts, and the need for a 'new society' that supports spiritual values. Sangharakshita played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work with the followers of Dr Ambedkar. Around one third of the Order is in India. Throughout his life Sangharakshita was concerned with issues of social reform. Sangharakshita died in October 2018 in Herefordshire, UK, aged 93.

Kulananda was born Michael Chaskalson, in South Africa in 1954. He migrated to England in 1972, where he encountered the Triratna Buddhist Order whilst studying for a philosophy degree at the University of East Anglia in 1976.

Ordained in 1977, he has since devoted himself to the development of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He has played a key part in the development of several Triratna Right Livelihood enterprises (including the now closed Windhorse Trading, which was in its time perhaps the largest Buddhist Right Livelihood business in the West) as well as several Buddhist centres. He was for a time secretary to Sangharakshita.

At present he spends most of his time writing, teaching mindfulness, and maintaining his contacts with the those Triratna centres of which he is president.

Kulananda is author of 'Principles of Buddhism', 'Teachers of Enlightenment: The Refuge Tree of the Western Buddhist Order', and 'The Wheel of Life', all published by Windhorse Publications. He has also written 'Western Buddhism' and 'Principles of Buddhism', both published by Thorsons.

Maitreyabandhu is an experienced teacher and a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Ordained in 1990, he has published articles on Buddhism and meditation in the UK and abroad.

He is a published poet, winning the Poetry Business Book and Pamphlet Competition in 2011.

Maitreyabandhu has worked in such diverse fields as the visual arts, opera and alternative health. Maitreyabandhu has often presented Buddhism in the media, including television and radio.

He lives and works at London Buddhist Centre in the East End of London.

Maitreyabandhu is author of 'Thicker Than Blood: Friendship on the Buddhist Path' (2003), 'Life With Full Attention: A Practical Course in Mindfulness' (2009) and 'The Journey and the Guide' (2015) all three published by Windhorse Publications. He has published two voumes of poetry, 'The Crumb Road' (2013) and 'Yarn' (2015), both published by Bloodaxe Books.

Born Tony McMahon in London in 1950, and interested in Buddhism and meditation since his teens, Vessantara now has 40 years of Buddhism under his belt. In 1974 he became a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, founded by Sangharakshita. At that time he was given his Buddhist name, which means 'universe within' and is associated with generosity. He has been mining for jewels in his inner world through meditation and then sharing them with others ever since. The results include several highly-rated books on Buddhism and meditation.

In 1993 he published the very successful 'Meeting the Buddhas', which is still going strong after 20 years, but is now in its latest edition chopped into three 'Guides' - to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Tantric Deities. Other works include 'Tales of Freedom' a book of Buddhist teaching stories, and two books in Windhorse Publications' series on 'The Art of Meditation'.

He lives in Herefordshire, UK, and spends his time teaching, leading courses and workshops on Buddhism and meditation. You can find a lot more information, articles, and details of his teaching schedule on his website at www.vessantara.net.