The Buddhist Centre

Happy Triratna Day

#Triratna #BAM. For more info, see https://thebuddhistcentre.com/BAM

Some weeks ago, an assembly was held for the Chairs of many Triratna Buddhist Centres in Europe. You may have heard some very lovely harmonized chanting from the event as it was happening (see previous boos!). Here's a special 'puja' (a Buddhist ritual to evoke the spirit of the Buddha's teaching and help get our emotions behind the practice of them) that was performed featuring some of the different languages represented at the meeting: Dutch, English, Estonian, Flemish, German, Spanish, Swedish... There's something magical about hearing different voices and tongues as part of one diverse community... #Buddhist #Buddha #Buddhism #chanting #ritual #puja #Triratna #Dharma #Dhamma #worship

Another great update from Parami from the College of Public Preceptors, thsi time travelling in the southern hemisphere visiting Triratna Centres in New Zealand and Australia. We hear from a variety of folk about Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre, about Triratna activities in Melbourne, about working with people in recovery from addiction, and about two dynamic Right Livelihood businesses in Thames, NZ: Sola Cafe and Lotus Realm Traders. And along the way the Dharmacharinis attending the Order retreat at Sudarshanaloka serenade us with a traditional Maori song... #NewZealand #NZ #Australia #Buddhist #Buddhism #Buddha #Melbourne #Thames #Triratna

A strong chanting of the Padmasambhava Mantra from the first Triratna European Chairs Assembly of the new year (2014). The chant is led by Nayaka from Dhanakosa Retreat Centre in the Scottish Highlands. Padmasambhava is the great guru of Tibet, the founder of the different traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. #Buddhist #Buddhism #chanting #chant #harmony #mantra

A rousing recording of the Avalokitesvara Mantra from the first Triratna European Chairs Assembly of the new year (2014). The harmony is led by Amalamati from Valencia. Avalokitesvara is the Bodhisattva of compassion, and his thousand-armed form is the symbol for the Triratna Buddhist Order at work in the world. Recorded live during the 'Offerings' section of the Sevenfold Puja at Adhisthana Retreat Centre in Herefordshire, UK. #Buddhist #Buddhism #chanting #chant #harmony #mantra

The final installment of Parami's in-depth reporting from the first convention of men and women in the Triratna Buddhist Order who have adopted a life of deep simplicity, stillness and contentment, supporting that with the practice of celibacy. Today we hear from Amitamati, Tarachitta, Muditasri, Atapani, Yashodeva, Dhammadinna and Manjuvajra about their own experiences and their journeys towards this way of life. Muditasri talks movingly about her own practice of 'homelessness', Yashodeva talks about community, and we even get a wee greeting in Welsh... The podcast closes with a team discussion amongst Dhammadinna, Manjuvajra and Parami who ran the event. #celibacy #chastity #contentment #sexuality #Buddhism #Buddhist

The second set of interviews from Adhisthana with Parami around the 'anagarikas' convention - a gathering of Buddhist women and men dedicated to living a simple, free, contented life and expressing that in part through the practice of celibacy. Today we meet two men anagarikas from Essen in Germany - Pramodya and Nirmala - who describe their experience of living this way and its effect on their sense of wellbeing. For more on this subject, see writings on celibacy: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/highlights/suvarnaprabha-writings-celibacy-ebook Or listen to Suvarnaprabha speak about her decision to take this step before her recent death: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/highlights/triratna-america-suvarnaprabha-becoming-anagarika #celibacy #sexuality #freedom #chastity #Buddhism #Buddhist

What is an 'anagarika'? Why practice celibacy as a way to cultivate freedom from life's entanglements? A discussion at Adhisthana during the first Triratna Anagarika Convention between two experienced members of the Order who have taken that extraordinary step as a support to their practice of contentment as the basis for a fulfilled spiritual life. For more on this subject, see writings on celibacy: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/highlights/suvarnaprabha-writings-celibacy-ebook Or listen to Suvarnaprabha speak about her decision to take this step before her recent death: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/highlights/triratna-america-suvarnaprabha-becoming-anagarika #celibacy #freedom #chastity #sexuality #Buddhist #Buddhism

The final morning on the women's order gathering and some more great interviews from Parami. We hear from Jinamati and Padmabodhini, two brand new Order members who are experiencing such a large coming together for the first time. We also hear from the assistant cook, Suvannamani, part of the team at Adhisthana dealing with one of the biggest community events that's happened there. As an extra treat we also get to hear from Ratnasuri, who at 90 is the oldest member of the Order, on her first visit to the retreat centre and recounts her meeting with Sangharakshita... We then we get a final 'vision conversation' from Parami and Danasamudra from the team, reflecting on the event when everyone has gone and the significance of the first major gathering of women at Adhisthana... #women #community #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #Dhamma #Herefordshire #Triratna

Mantras and other things! Starting with an excerpt from Vandanajyoti and Vishvantara's song to mark the event, we get some lovely songs, mantras, chanting and and readings from the Saturday evening puja at the women's UK & Ireland Order gathering at Adhisthana. The joy of Dharma practice in large numbers! #Buddhism #Buddhist #women #Dharma #mantra #chanting #Dhamma #Triratna

Around the world, Order members from the Triratna Buddhist Order meet regularly in large (and small!) numbers to share their lives and practice, to support each other and deepen their own understanding of the Buddha's teaching and of our own community. Running parallel to the women's UK & Ireland Order gathering at Adhisthana is a general Central European Order forum that's taking place at Vimaladhatu Retreat Centre in Germany. Here's Utpalavajri, walking in the deep snow and sharing her thoughts on the events so far... #Buddhism #Buddhist #Triratna #Dharma #Dhamma #community

Parami on day two of the women's national Order gathering just after talks by Dhammadinna, Sanghadevi and Maitreyi, three of the most experienced members of the Order, remembering their relationship with Sangharakshita, the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community and Order. Karunamati recalls her time living near Chatral Rimpoche (one of Sangharakshita's teachers) and appreciates Sangharakshita's kindness and humour. Candraprabha, Karunagita, Kamalanandi, Kuladharini, Arayajaya, and Maitrisara discuss their experience of the great gathering itself and of hearing tales of Sangharakshita from the past. We also hear a story from Maitreyi she didn't have time to tell in her talk, and one from Sanghamani about Sangharakshita's meeting with her daughter. #Triratna #Sangharakshita #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #women

Parami again with a recording of the gorgeous harmonized mantras from the first evening of the women's national Order weekend at Adhisthana. Close your eyes and let the grace waves come! Also includes the Threefold Puja and White Tara Mantra. #chanting #chant #mantra #Buddhist #Buddha #Buddhism

A second report from Parami from the great gathering at Adhisthana at the Triratna Buddhist Order's national Order weekend for women in the UK & Ireland. Interviews with Saddhanandi, Sanghamani, Satyavani, Samachitta, Vajratara, all thrilled to be there despite the dreadful weather! Surrounded by friends old and new... #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Triratna #Herefordshire

A great wee report from Parami from the weather-wracked Order gathering for women in the UK & Ireland currently happening at Adhisthana Retreat Centre in Herefordshire. A lovely glimpse into what happens when so many people get together to celebrate their faith together... Listen out for more and some interviews through the weekend. #buddhism #buddhist #women #Triratna #meditation #Herefordshire

Cambridge buddhist centre part of sangha festival

Cambridge Buddhist Centre in the UK celebrates 'Sangha Day' - an annual gathering of the Buddhist community and rejoicing in each other. The ritual being performed is the traditional Sevenfold Puja for the Triratna Buddhist Community. For more: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/cambridge

Sangha night at the Cambridge buddhist centre

The final installment of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. This was on the last stage of the meditation to develop loving kindness towards all living beings. A taking stock of what is implied in such an intention, and reflections on a week of intensified focus on positive emotion and the effects of that work. We also get to hear what a 'Texas Hug' is and learn via Seamus Heaney how to meet another person's confusion (and our own). For more resources visit the retreat space archive online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha #friendship #compassion #healing #grief #reconciliation