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