The Buddhist Centre

"This is not theoretical, this is how it is, it's life: sickness and ageing are very challenging". Mahasraddha is the Director of the Abhayaratna Trust which exists to help support Order Members in financial difficulty. In this conversation Mahasraddha outlines his vision for the Trust - and its spirit, which is based on Sangharakshita's lecture, 'A Case of Dysentery'. He also mentions a number of projects that the Abhayaratna Trust have in the pipeline, including establishing local care networks and supporting co-housing initiatives. Support the Abhayaratna Trust: www.abhayaratnatrust.org/donate Recorded in January 2019.

"I want to spend the rest of my life... supporting the Triratna Buddhist Order. I can't imagine living in another way." Ricardo Rico became a Mitra and asked for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order in Venezuela over 20 years ago. He recently has moved to Cuernavaca, Mexico. In this podcast we hear a little bit about Ricardo's life as a university lecturer and father of three children. He also speaks about life in Venezuela and the current political and economic situation. He expresses his gratitude to Vajranatha who has been heroically helping keep the Merida Sangha going. During the course of the conversation, Nagapriya gives him a very special letter, inviting Ricardo to join the Triratna Buddhist Order in Guhyaloka, April 2019. Despite having worked for 27 years as a University lecturer, Ricardo only earns US$14/15 a month - making the cost of the ordination course prohibitive. Help support Ricardo - and Bruno, a fellow Mitra from Mexico - in their journey to Guhyaloka Conversation recorded in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

"What we have is a very wonderful problem and the wonderful problem is that so many people are seeing the value of Buddhism in India and they are wanting to embrace Buddhism and the Buddhist path - and they are wanting to do that in their hundreds. But, of course, as we know, Buddhism is a path of practice. It requires careful study and training…it requires spiritual friendship. So who is going to meet these people?" Vajratara is the Chair of the India Dhamma Trust which exists to help create supportive conditions for Buddhist practice in India. In this podcast she speaks about her connection with India, what we can learn from the life of Dr Ambedkar and how the work of the India Dhamma Trust, inspired by Dr Ambedkar's example, is helping to transform lives. Recorded at Adhisthana, 1 December 2018. Support the work of the India Dhamma Trust: indiadhammatrust.org/donate Read about the recently released Mitra Study module on Dr Ambedkar: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/IDT/new-mitra-study-module-dr-ambedkar

On the evening of Urgyen Sangharakshita's funeral and burial, after the departure of most of the 1,200 guests, those who remained gathered together to perform a special, final sevenfold puja and close an extraordinary day.  Padmavajra led the devotional ritual, specifically dedicated to Padmasambhava. In this extract we hear Surata reading verses to Vajrasattva known as 'The Confounder of Hell', followed by a rousing version of the Great Guru of Tibet's mantra.  Voices were uplifted and many offerings made: to say a last farewell with heartfelt thanks to the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community.  Recorded on Saturday the 10th of November 2018, at Adhisthana. Find out more at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/sangharakshita

Prajnaketu, Triratna's Young Buddhist Co-ordinator, gave the keynote talk at the 2018 'Big One', which was on the theme of 'Seek Truth, Release Life'.  His talk was entitled 'A Religious Life'. In this conversation with Sadayasihi in the Beams on the last morning of the 'Big One' he talks about the significance for him of giving this talk as well as delving into his choice of the word 'religious' and how he has benefitted from taking part in a Karuna Appeal. Recorded at Adhisthana, October 2018. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us by taking a moment to rate the podcast in iTunes or your favourite app. There are so many podcasts these days it really does help people find us! For more, check out www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

A conversation with Candradasa, Munisha, Parami and Sthanashraddha towards the end of a strong week at Adhisthana, home of Urgyen Sangharakshita, who died last week at the age of 93. We talk about our personal relationships to the founder of the Triratna Buddhist sangha over decades, and the great change his passing represents for our community. Join us online to begin saying farewell to a man whose long work for the Dharma transformed so many lives around the world for the good. www.thebuddhistcentre.com/sangharakshita

It's the afternoon of Day 2 of the 'Big One'! Here's Caroline from Oxford and Shubhanaga from Cambridge talking about how they have been finding it and the highlights so far! Recorded at Adhisthana, October 2018. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us by taking a moment to rate the podcast in iTunes or your favourite app. There are so many podcasts these days it really does help people find us! For more, check out www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

Here's a beautiful rendition of the Shakyamuni Mantra - led by Dharmamayi from Sheffield - on the first evening of the Young Buddhists' annual gathering in Adhisthana, the 'Big One'. Recorded after the Dedication Ceremony. #Buddhist #Buddhism #chanting #chant #harmony #mantra

Ratnadharini and Shantigarbha give an excellent, practical introduction to using the Restorative Process in order to resolve disharmony within Triratna. Exploring its principles and its methodology, this short talk also provides a helpful overview of why the Restorative approach is considered such a good fit for a Buddhist community. Recorded in India, spring 2018. Find out more about Triratna’s Restorative Process with the Adhisthana Kula

"Nature is, in itself, a healing environment".  During the 2018 Combined Order Weekend in Adhisthana, Dayajoti talks about a newly forming project - the Tara Sanctuary and Natural Burial Ground which has a vision of creating a beautiful ecological burial ground and retreat site. Here she speaks about the what the natural burial movement is about, the links between nature, death and the land, how it connects with Buddhist practice and where the project is currently at. Find out more about the Tara Sanctuary and Natural Burial Ground: www.tarasanctuary.org.uk Recorded at Adhisthana, August 2018. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us by taking a moment to rate the podcast in iTunes or your favourite app. There are so many podcasts these days it really does help people find us! For more, check out www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features