The Buddhist Centre

Here are two wonderfully passionate members of the Order talking across generations about the need to open up effective pathways of commitment for young people as they connect and engage with the possibilities in a Buddhist life.  Subhadramati has pioneered such pathways for women for many years at the London Buddhist Centre, one of the biggest Centres in Europe. She discusses her plans for 2020 to start a women's community in London where she and a few experienced friends will share a home with several younger women exploring the Buddhist path.  Prajnaketu, the convener of young Buddhist activities in Triratna for Europe, shares what he thinks worked for him as a young person in Oxford investigating the Dharma life and wanting to take initiative as part of his practice. What follows is a great, urgent conversation about the ways in which young people can be encouraged, given space and allowed to find their voice.  Recorded at the Triratna International Council in England, September 2019. For more great Dharma: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

Here's a short conversation with Akuppa (Newcastle, UK), Parina (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Dhammapitika (Metta Vihara Retreat Centre, The Netherlands) on the morning of the last full day at the Winter ECA - European Chairs assembly meeting, talking through the some of the new priorities that have been agreed on. We also hear about the fledgling plans underway to bring these to life in the coming months.  They also share some of their highlights from this particular meeting - demonstrating a surprising level of coincidence of wills!

Our second episode of our 'audio magazine' includes some of the highlights from the past six months: we hear about a land project in Hawaii, the revival of the Urgyen tulip, what's going on 'Down Under', what it's like working on an online Buddhist team and much more besides!

This podcast features the Dharmachakra team - who bring you The Buddhist Centre Online website and platform, Free Buddhist Audio, podcasts like this one, event coverage, technical support and more besides! As part of an online practice week in August some of this team gathered to talk about the Dharma and how they practice it in the context of their lives - in particular, in a busy, online 'team-based right livelihood', working with other Buddhists, bringing in ethics, meditation and (hopefully!) wisdom. Here we have four members of that team: Candradasa based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the U.S., Sadayasihi in Dublin, Ireland, and Kamalavajra (then Will) and Jay both based in Bristol, UK, talking about how that practice week went, why they've chosen to work as part of a Buddhist team, exploring the virtual nature of their team and their wish-list for what could be next! From the importance of having a sense of the mythic while engaged in work, to the joy of getting glimpses into others' lives, to the depth of communication that can be present even when not working 'shoulder-to-shoulder', here's a snapshot of ethical work in the digital age. Recorded online, August 2019.

Ya transcurrieron un par de días desde que inició la Convención Panamericana. En el comedor se pueden oír conversaciones en inglés y en español, incluso hay quien sirve de traductor para aquel que lo necesita. En este espacio, donde flores y el canto de los pájaros enmarcan las actividades de la convención, tuvieron la oportunidad de reunirse una vez mas. Hace poco mas de dos años tomaba lugar su retiro de ordenación en este mismo sitio; alguien tuvo la ocurrencia de llamarles las “siete magnificas” y por primera vez una ordenación pública se transmitía en streaming de Mexico. Gente en diferentes lugares del mundo la siguió y pudo conocer sus nombres al momento en que se anunciaban. Hoy se reunieron  a conversar, reflexionando sobre lo que ha sucedido en los meses posteriores a aquel día y la hermandad que les une desde entonces. Aquí, donde todo empezó... Grabado en el Centro de Retiros Chintamani, octubre de 2019 durante la Convención Panamericana de 2019. Para más: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/features

"When I went on those first Young Buddhist retreats I saw a future for Buddhism in my life.." "I don't think I've ever put my phone away for an entire weekend since I was about fifteen so coming away and doing that was incredible - I didn't realise the effect it'd had until I left..." Suzie from Manchester and Dharmasara from Berlin talk about their involvement in the Young Buddhist project. From gaining more confidence as a result of taking responsibility in their local sanghas to sharing what it's like being on retreat - and what advice they might give to others - we get a sense of how their engagement has enriched their experience of spiritual community. Recorded at the 2019 Big One at Adhisthana. +Follow thebuddhistcentre.com/youngbuddhists 

The 6th Triratna International Council is in full swing in England this week. Folk from around the world converging on beautiful rural Herefordshire to explore the work of making sure our community is united and available to all in the years ahead. We're joined by our friends from New Zealand and Australia for a check-in around their take on the week and the relevance of international perspectives to their own communities and their experience of the Dharma life back home. Inspiring to hear connections being made that can cross oceans and great distances, carrying a sense of harmony that will resonate wherever you are. For more: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil

"...[the International Gathering is] quite intentionally like a mix of a retreat and a festival...but it's a whole retreat and a whole festival happening at the same time!" On the final full day of the 2019 Triratna International Gathering we tune in with Sanghamani, who gave one of the keynote talks, Sanjay from London and David, who is on the current men's Dharma Life course at Adhisthana, about how they've been finding the gathering. Sharing their favourite moments - of conversations, the stories of transformation, puja and pancakes and more - we hear about how this event has been: like creating a heaven on earth and a chance to celebrate the good things that are happening in Triratna. Recorded at Adhisthana, 25th August 2019.

Sadayasihi is reunited with Gina Plant Cabrita and Christine Thuring who all first met on the 2014 Triratna International Gathering. They recall that Gathering and how, for each of them, it marked a pivotal moment in their lives - and what they did afterwards. The conversation then turns to day 2 of the 2019 Triratna International Gathering and what's been happening. We hear more about the significance of the international dimension - in particular, how coming together in large numbers can both be an important opportunity to 'plug in' and become resourced but also to experience appreciation for our Sanghas. Recorded at Adhisthana, 24th August 2019

It's the first full day of the Triratna International Gathering and Adhisthana is basking in summer sunshine!  In this short podcast we get a flavour of the 'Alchemy of the Dharma'. A couple of people share their highlights from the International Gathering so far - from the first talk by Ratnaguna on 'Transforming Self', a classic music concert after lunch, workshops on tai chi, yoga, the activities for children as well as authentic conversations and the possibility of ice cream! Recorded at Adhisthana, 23rd August 2019.