Use code SUMMERPRACTICE for a 25% discount on all On Demand Courses through August 31.

Vesak 2568: The Radical Message of Siddhattha Gotama

With Sean Oakes recorded on May 18, 2025.

Found our teachings useful? Help us continue our work and support your teachers with a donation. Here’s how.

On the Theravāda holiday of Vesak, 2568 years after the Buddha’s death, we honor the ancient ascetic named Siddhattha Gotama, whose insights into the nature of suffering and freedom have inspired fierce disciplines, soaring poetry, subtle psychological and philosophical investigations, and social movements for nonviolence, and social justice. We’ll meditate, learn traditional verses celebrating the Buddha, and share how this sublime tradition touches our own lives, so many centuries later.

Listen to the audio version below, or click here to download the mp3.

Discussion

Leave a Reply

Discover more from the Dharma Library

  • Daily Meditation Recordings, with Ayala Gill – Week of June 26, 2023

    This week’s topic is “Living in Sacredness”. Meditation is more than a practice of being present. The way in which we are present determines whether we reinforce habits of separation, or re-weave the fabric of sacredness. During this week we will explore the sacredness of body, breath, consciousness, emotions and beliefs. Returned to the embrace of sacredness, we plant seeds of Love in a world of separation.

    Read More

  • Developing the Power of Heart and Mind

    Power matters when free from any corruption of mind, gross or subtle. We need to develop our power rather than feel powerless, indecisive or exploitive. Power emerges from unification of our whole being, focussing on a priority and sometimes engaging in a level of boldness. The Buddha referred to four areas to develop inner power…

    Read More

  • Vimalasara Mason-John

    Sitting With Our Ancestors

    In times of struggle we can always call on the ancestors. Our affinity ones are just as important as our biological ones. The Buddhist path is full of affinity beings who inspire us. Join me in remembering those who have gone before us, and paved the path of freedom and liberation.

    Read More

  • Daily Meditation Recordings, with Caverly Morgan – Week of June 1

    We’re very grateful to have Caverly Morgan hosting our Daily Meditation Series for North America. To find out more about Caverly, and to view her past recordings and contributions to Sangha Live, click here. Monday, June 1 Collective CARE and addressing whiteness Wednesday, June 3 Grounding and releasing “shoulds” Friday, June 5 Honoring the song…

    Read More

  • Ralph Steele

    A Skilful Dance: The Three Characteristics Of Life and The Winds of Dharma

    (Please note that, due to problems with the video streaming platform on the day of this session, this talk was unfortunately not recorded in its entirety.) In this session Ralph explores using the Winds of Dharma to gain insight into the Three Characteristics of Life. The ocean of consciousness can be equated to life’s characteristics…

    Read More

  • Jill Satterfield

    The Skilful Process of Transformation

    In this session, we’ll use the skilful means of mindfulness, mindful breathing and leading the nervous system into a parasympathetic state, to guide our mind towards organic spacious awareness. Within this relaxed spaciousness we’ll imagine the ways in which we wish to incline, head towards and become one with.

    Read More