2: Buddhist Voices - Amalavajra, Banker to Buddhist
Dec 30, 2014
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Former investment banker turned full-time Buddhist practitioner, Amalavajra, shares his fascinating journey from a privileged upbringing to working in the banking industry and experiencing the credit collapse of 2008. He reflects on his dissatisfaction with the lack of fulfillment in his work and the transformative power of meditation, Buddhism, and being part of a study group and outreach group in his business community.
Amalavajra left the investment banking industry and found purpose in working for a charity, realizing the importance of meaningful work.
Sangha (spiritual community) played a significant role in Amalavatra's personal and spiritual development, providing support and facilitating personal growth.
Deep dives
Amalavatra and his journey to finding the Dharma
Amalavatra shares his upbringing in a middle-class family in Berkshire, attending various schools, including a boarding school in Oxford. His father worked as a company director, and his mother was employed by an ethical company. Amalavatra describes feeling disconnected and unhappy during his boarding school years. He found solace in rowing and developed a passion for the sport. After school, he took a gap year, during which he traveled alone in Central and North America. Upon returning, he attended Cambridge University and joined the rowing team. After graduating, he secured a job at an investment bank in London, but he quickly grew disillusioned with the work's lack of meaning and the environment's narrow focus on making money. He started exploring Buddhism, attending meditation retreats, and eventually decided to leave the banking world. He joined a fundraising outreach group and later started working for Karuna, a charity focused on helping marginalized communities in India. Amalavatra found purpose and fulfillment in this work, becoming deeply involved in the Buddhist community and eventually becoming ordained. He continues to work in the field of fundraising and is now preparing to move to Adhisthana, a Buddhist center in the countryside to work in the development team.
Amalavatra's experience during the financial crash
Amalavatra reflects on the financial crash and its connection to his own experience working in the investment banking industry. He recalls feeling relief that he had already left the banking world before the crash occurred and that he didn't have to face the potential legal and ethical repercussions associated with the products he used to deal with. He had already shifted his focus to working for Karuna, a charity that he believed was making a positive impact in the world. While the crash didn't directly affect him, it solidified his decision to leave the banking industry behind and commit himself to a more meaningful and fulfilling path.
The importance of Sangha in Amalavatra's journey
Amalavatra highlights the significance of Sangha (spiritual community) in his personal and spiritual development. He credits his study group and the outreach group they formed for providing him with a supportive and challenging environment. Amalavatra also recognizes the intense Sangha experience he had while working for Karuna, living and working closely with his colleagues. The intensity of these environments helped him cultivate stronger spiritual values, work through his own personal challenges, and deepen his practice. He acknowledges the impact of having friends who reflected back to him and helped him confront his intense and aggressive nature, leading to personal growth and transformation.
Amalavatra's motivation for joining Adhisthana
Amalavatra explains his decision to join Adhisthana, a Buddhist center in the countryside. He expresses his desire to focus his life energy on supporting and raising funds for the Buddhist movement. As he approaches his 40s, he wants to ensure that his work aligns with his beliefs and values. He hopes that by joining the development team at Adhisthana, he will be able to work alongside like-minded individuals and contribute to the prosperity of the movement. Additionally, he anticipates that the change of environment from busy London to the countryside will have a positive impact on his meditation practice and overall well-being.
How do you go from investment banker to full-time Buddhist practitioner? A fascinating account of a very rich life that takes Amalavajra from English boarding school and Cambridge University to J.P. Morgan as a pioneer of the now infamous asset-backed securities that became a prime factor in the credit collapse of 2008. His journey winds via improbably different worlds: from scuba diving on coral reefs to the Henley Regatta, from delivering pizzas around London at night to riding the Greyhound bus across America and selling books door to door in Tennessee! And all leading to a remarkable turnaround via meditation, Buddhism and the mountains of Nepal. A strong tale of determination and talent finding - finally- something truly worth investing in...
