The Buddhist Centre

Parami reporting from Berlin in the run up to the start of the mainland European Convention of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Beginning with a conversation with Jnanadakini from Mexico who is visiting the Convention to connect with the European Spanish language community. Some reflections on the recent history of Berlin and personal lessons to be learned from history. #triratna #history #Germany #conflict #Buddhism #Buddhist #community

Into the last day of the writers' gathering proper and we hear how it started - with a beautiful, typically understated piece by Norman MacCaig read by Steph, a writer herself and one of the young women who has just finished a five-month intensive Dharma course. #poetry #poem #poets #writers #literature #Buddhism #Buddhist

Running parallel to the Writers' Convention - and coming to an end at the same time - was a young women's extended Dharma course, with women from around the world taking part. Here we meet Shraddhavajri and Vidyadharini from India who, along with their fellow long-term retreatants, have been using writing as another way to explore spiritual life and the meaning of the Buddha's teaching in their own lives. #writing #writers #literature #poetry #poems #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #Triratna #Arts

After our weekend break, Satyalila is back with the latest installment from the Triratna Writers Conference. It's unusual perhaps for a Buddhist community to place such an emphasis on the Arts as a route to spiritual inquiry - but it's a real pleasure to listen to it happening 'as live'! This conversation with Satyadaka takes place in the brand new Sangharakshita library and we hear much about one of "Bhante's" literary heroes, Dr. Johnson, as well as the great Romantic biographer Richard Holmes. For more on Buddhism and the Arts: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/culture-arts #literature #writing #Romanticism #Arts #poetry #writers #Buddhism #Buddhist #spirituality #biography

Satyalila manages to get two of the most venerable writers attending onto her podcast bench (no mean feat!)... Ananda fresh from his talk and Abhaya making the transition to poetry from painting... Follow blogs and talks from the event at thebuddhistcentre.com/features #Arts #writing #poetry #poets #literature #Buddhism #writers #

Padmabodhini in conversation with Satyalila about what it's like (so far!) to be on a writers' convention... #poetry #poets #writers #writing #Arts #literature

The first Triratna writers convention is happening all this week during the Ledbury Poetry Festival and we'll be hearing from some of the lyric voices taking part. Join us through the week at Adhisthana for lots of literary talk and an exploration of the connections between the Arts and spiritual life - a big part of the Triratna Buddhist path. #Ledbury #LedburyPoetry #poetry #Arts #Buddhist #Buddhism #literature #poets #writing #writers

We're making a virtue of the long gap since Suvajra's autumn seasonal by switching to the southern hemisphere for our frame of reference! As colder weather settles over the realms of the south we hear about a Scotsman's adventures in India... This set of fascinating winter tales comes from the mid '80s when Suvajra travels to the east to conduct his first ordinations on behalf of his teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita. There he encounters two important figures in the history of Triratna: Dr. Ambedkar and Dhardo Rimpoche. From massive Ambedkarite commemorations on a beach in Mumbai to retreat near the ancient caves of Bhaja to his first meeting with Dhardo in the chilly mountain climes of northern Kalimpong, Suvajra's travels take him into new territories in all senses and see him undertake the work that will eventually yield his classic book 'The Wheel And The Diamond'. Recorded at Adhisthana, UK, winter 2015. #India #Indian #winter #Triratna #Buddhist #Buddhism #Sangharakshita #Dhardo #Rimpoche #Nepa

Parami interviews Dhammadinna and Khemasuri at the end of a retreat at Adhisthana looking at how Buddhists can help promote change in the wider world. Based on the Dasadhamma Sutta (Discourse on The Ten Dhammas) this investigation of the unconscious paradigms we live by raises much to ponder for anyone who would like to see a kinder, more just and equitable society. More on Buddhist Action Month: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/BAM Read the sutta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.048.piya.html #Buddhism #Buddhist #EngagedBuddhism #systemstheory #community #society #culture #Buddha #Dharma

The first in a new occasional series with Parami, one of the most experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. Over the coming months and years, Parami will be joining us for conversation and sharing her generous perspectives on what she encounters during her travels around a contemporary international Buddhist sangha. We'll be hearing from her at home in the UK, as well as on the road from Mexico, Australasia and the U.S. A true Dharma farer, still in love with the Buddha's teaching and the radical vision it represents, Parami introduces herself here by talking about her work and what still animates her in her own practice - a sense that while the world is on fire with suffering the Dharma is a beautiful solution we might all embrace. Recorded live at the Omega Institute, NY, at the International Western Dharma Teachers' Conference. Watch the archived live web talk and discussion with Parami: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/BAM/parami-radical-then-radical-now-history-triratnas-progress

Parami visits the women who are working on the Karuna appeal in London and discovers why it is a transformative experience. #London #fundraising #India #women #Buddhist

Another excellent conversation with Kamalashila in our occasional series from West London, where we celebrate the opening of their incredibly impressive new Buddhist Centre. But first we touch on all things liminal in our ongoing exchanges about landscape - particularly, in this case, the "gonzo psychogeography" of London and its subterranean rivers. We also hear about new beginnings in the shape of a Welsh contemplative community project and Buddhafield as it re-emerges from some years of change. All in the good company of Kamalashila and also featuring our first very special guest - Yashobodhi. For more new Dharma content: thebuddhistcentre.com/features The talk referred to in this podcast can be heard at: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC2065 Hear more from Kamalashila's Quarterly: https://soundcloud.com/thebuddhistcentre/sets/kamalashilas-quarterly #London #West London #subterranean #rivers #gonzopsychogeography #contemplative #Buddhafield #Triratna #Buddhism #Buddhist

Dhammarati on the sofa tonight

Vidyatara spends time with Subhuti & Parami talking about the day's highlights, their long association, their experience of knowing and working with Dhammarati and the qualities that Saddhaloka will bring to chairing the College.

Vidyatara talks to long time friends and College comrades Dhammadinna & Nagabodhi about leadership, generational change, the role of elders and the joys of rejoicing!

Tonight we draw out the international aspect of the College. On the sofa we have Megha from Australia and Yashosagar from India.

Chat with punyamala- the newest member of the college

Parami has some time with Padmasuri talking about the highlights of the day’s events at the College meeting and looking back at Padmasuri’s decade as one of the Deputies of the College.

Vidyatara is joined on the sofa by Sanghadevi & Moksananda to talk about the highlights of the College meeting so far - rejoicing in Manjuvajra and Padmasuri, study with Subhuti and reflections on Dhammarati's time as Chair and Saddhaloka's poetry... #Buddhism #Buddhist #community #Triratna

Parami & Vidyatara are back together reporting on the March 2015 College meeting, with Parami giving a bit of an insight into what to expect over the next week. #Buddhist #Buddhism #Sangha #community #Triratna #Dharma