How I Met Bantley for the First Time

"Things have changed in the last 10 years or so. A lot of it was just building on what I’d received from Bhante and other Order Members and other people… over the years. But I think, for me, it feels as if those three years with all that time to completely focus on the Dharma did sort of liberate things or bring to fruition a lot of seeds that had been planted by Bhante and other people over a long period of time."

When Vessantara first stumbled through the doors of Pundarika Buddhist Centre in 1972, he encountered the germinal beginnings of the Triratna Buddhist Community. With Sangharakshita on a year long sabbatical in Cornwall, the then Friend son the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) was less than 5 years old and being run by young, energetic, yet inexperienced members of the Order.

Over the 40+ years of his involvement Vessantara has had a rich and inspiring spiritual journey. From early experiences of absorption as a young boy, to the depths of meditation and visualization practice during a three-year solitary retreat, Vessantara speaks openly and honestly in this moving interview with Satyalila for the 50 Years, 50 Voices project.

Extracts from this talk were used for the 50 Years, 50 Voices project - visit the dedicated space on The Buddhist Centre Online for more.