The Buddhist Centre

Dassini talks to the International Order Convenors, Aryajaya and Lokeshvara, and Vimalamati and Vajrapriya from the International Order Office on day 2 of the UK & Ireland Area Order Convention at Wymondham, UK. The inspiration for this particular Convention has been to make the programme more retreat-like as well as also having forum spaces to facilitate Order debate and dialogue and we get a sense of how it is going on its second full day.  We also hear about the ongoing work of the Adhisthana Kula as well as a bit more about what the International Order Office does: "connecting the Order to deepen the Order". Finally Vajrapriya, the Co-ordinator of the International Order Office - who will be stepping down from this role by the end of October - shares some of his highlights from the Convention. Recorded at Wymondham College, UK, August 2019.

"To be a chair is not to be a particular kind of person...they are very different. But what they do have in common, is a love of Triratna, a love of the Dharma and a longing to help..." The 2019 Summer ECA - European Chairs' Assembly - took place at Padmaloka in the UK.  We are joined by Aryanita from Paris, Vanaraji from Mid-Essex, Jayaraja from Buddhafield and Amrutasiddhi from Nagpur, India, all reflecting on how the meeting how went and what they really valued. We hear how the meeting included updates on initiatives and projects such as the Young Buddhists, People of Colour, The Buddhist Centre Online, and Sikkha (and more). And we get a flavour of the wide-range of ground covered: from beginning to undertake a strategic review of the ECA's priorities, responses to the recent article in The Observer critical of Triratna, to discussion about Buddhist Action Month and the ecological crisis - as well as the vital benefits of having such a meeting. +Follow thebuddhistcentre.com/eca to find out more about the European Chairs' Assembly.

"It's more than the talks and the meditation and the puja - amazing as I'm sure they'll all be - it's also the gathering of hearts and minds, the chatting over cups of tea, the workshops...and just being together in that space" The 2019 Triratna International Gathering is fast approaching - it's a wonderful opportunity for those in our community to come together to share their practice and inspiration and to develop friendships. But what's it like to go on an event like this?  Singhamati, who will be the MC at this year's Triratna International Gathering, talks about what she's looking forward to at this year's Gathering, why she agreed to MC, and the significance of gathering in large numbers. +Follow the International Gathering Space to find out more Book on to the 2019 Triratna International Gathering

At the end of this podcast you'll discover about six minutes of musical joy as we're played out by the amazing marimba band from Great Vow Zen Monastery, hosts of the 2019 Generation-X Dharma Teachers conference near Portland, Oregon in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.  But before that... A terrific round-table conversation with some of the organizers and participants gathering to look at ethics and power dynamics in the life of Buddhist communities. Join Candradasa, Rebecca Li, Lama Rod Owens, Singhashri and Vimalasara to hear about a strong few days exploring how we learn from the past as sanghas and support each other well as the torch is passed from one generation to another.  Recorded at Great Vow Zen Monastery, June 2019.

Kiranada is an ordained Buddhist, a traveler, a renowned artist in (cruelty-free) silk, a teacher, an author and a Mom. Here she is at the Portsmouth Public Library in June 2019, reading from her book 'A Year Of Silence', an account of her year-long silent, solitary retreat in the New Zealand bush. As one of her last engagements before heading off to Kentucky and Missouri to begin a further 3-year solitary, silent retreat, this is a wonderful opportunity to hear what it takes to disconnect from physical contact with family and society and take in the great silence of true solitude. In the tradition of Thoreau and Milarepa, Kiranada's reflective wit is apparent as she shares excerpts from her retreat journals, and subsequent writing about the experience of meditation and Buddhist practice lived out more fully, free from obligation and all distraction. An essential perspective on space, love, and the opening out of time in an increasingly over-stimulated world! Listen to an extended edition of this podcast with an extensive Q & A Recorded at the Portsmouth Public Library, New Hampshire, USA.

One of the Sikkha Project's key aims is to support spiritual practice in our community and the Order Practice survey is a tool to help this come about. The purpose of the Order Practice survey is threefold: - to gather information about how Order members are practising (and how that can be supported); - to provide an opportunity for Order members to reflect on their own practice; - to start more focussed conversations around Order practice. Here Dhammarati, Convenor of the International Council which oversees the Sikkha project, speaks about the survey, its purpose, what it looks like, and how to get a copy!

"So it's community - but with our own front door" - TejasviniThe Suvana (meaning ‘happy realm’) project aims to develop Buddhist co-housing in Cambridge, UK. It will be newly built, sustainable, low carbon footprint development, with the community inspired by Buddhist values.   Here's a conversation with Tejasvini and Jeremy Peters, both involved in the project, discussing co-housing as a response to the housing crisis, their plans for sustainable features, affordability, Buddhist almhouses and more.  Visit the Suvana blog suvana.org or follow on Instagram @suvanacam

"The idea is that, at some point, it won't be a project; it'll just be more like how we do things" The Sikkha Project aims to support the development of training within Triratna for every level of experience, to discover and share how the different elements of our system of practice are taught and practiced most effectively, and to create resources and training to fill any gaps. Here's a conversation with Dhammamegha, currently co-ordinating this project, explaining its origins, who's involved and the 'shopping list' that the team are currently focussing on: Centre-based teaching, meditation teaching and Order life training. Some of the latest and upcoming developments include four introductory courses which are now on the Sikkha website as teaching resources, and an Order practice review questionnaire to help find out what would support Order Members in their Dharma lives. Another important aspect of Sikkha's work is mentoring and here Sadayasihi shares her recent experience of 'whole team' teacher training and Centre visioning which took place in March at the London Buddhist Centre. Visit the Sikkha website for some resources to help with teaching at Buddhist Centres +Follow the Sikkha blog on The Buddhist Centre to keep updated on the latest developments

"There's something about coming at it all fresh and trying to see the patterns in it and bring it together in its different 'baskets'..." Vidyadevi is an editor of 'The Complete Works of Sangharakshita' which aims to be the definitive edition of Sangharakshita's life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. In this conversation she talks about the various different people who are involved in making this project happen, its significance, what it's like working on it now that Sangharakshita has died, and her ambition for the Complete Works to be as friendly and as approachable as possible. From creating a concordance (which allows readers to pursue their interests in certain themes throughout the whole works) to translations to the encouragement received from hearing back from readers of these volumes, Vidyadevi gives us a sense of what it is like being involved in a project of this magnitude. Contact Vidyadevi if you are interested in volunteering for 'The Complete Works' project: vidyadevi[at]phonecoop.coop  Subscribe to the Complete Works of Sangharakshita Conversation recorded in February 2019.

The first episode of The Buddhist Centre Online's 'audio magazine', includes some of our latest audio highlights - an overview of the 2018 European Buddhist Union and Buddhist Teachers in Europe meetings, extracts from conversations with Mahasraddha, Director of the Abhayaratna Trust, and Vajratara, chair of the India Dhamma Trust as well as a brief introduction to Bodhipaksa's latest book 'I Can't Believe It's Not Buddha!'