The Buddhist Centre

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

Mantras and other things! Starting with an excerpt from Vandanajyoti and Vishvantara's song to mark the event, we get some lovely songs, mantras, chanting and and readings from the Saturday evening puja at the women's UK & Ireland Order gathering at Adhisthana. The joy of Dharma practice in large numbers! #Buddhism #Buddhist #women #Dharma #mantra #chanting #Dhamma #Triratna

Around the world, Order members from the Triratna Buddhist Order meet regularly in large (and small!) numbers to share their lives and practice, to support each other and deepen their own understanding of the Buddha's teaching and of our own community. Running parallel to the women's UK & Ireland Order gathering at Adhisthana is a general Central European Order forum that's taking place at Vimaladhatu Retreat Centre in Germany. Here's Utpalavajri, walking in the deep snow and sharing her thoughts on the events so far... #Buddhism #Buddhist #Triratna #Dharma #Dhamma #community

Parami on day two of the women's national Order gathering just after talks by Dhammadinna, Sanghadevi and Maitreyi, three of the most experienced members of the Order, remembering their relationship with Sangharakshita, the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community and Order. Karunamati recalls her time living near Chatral Rimpoche (one of Sangharakshita's teachers) and appreciates Sangharakshita's kindness and humour. Candraprabha, Karunagita, Kamalanandi, Kuladharini, Arayajaya, and Maitrisara discuss their experience of the great gathering itself and of hearing tales of Sangharakshita from the past. We also hear a story from Maitreyi she didn't have time to tell in her talk, and one from Sanghamani about Sangharakshita's meeting with her daughter. #Triratna #Sangharakshita #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #women

Parami again with a recording of the gorgeous harmonized mantras from the first evening of the women's national Order weekend at Adhisthana. Close your eyes and let the grace waves come! Also includes the Threefold Puja and White Tara Mantra. #chanting #chant #mantra #Buddhist #Buddha #Buddhism

A second report from Parami from the great gathering at Adhisthana at the Triratna Buddhist Order's national Order weekend for women in the UK & Ireland. Interviews with Saddhanandi, Sanghamani, Satyavani, Samachitta, Vajratara, all thrilled to be there despite the dreadful weather! Surrounded by friends old and new... #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Triratna #Herefordshire

A great wee report from Parami from the weather-wracked Order gathering for women in the UK & Ireland currently happening at Adhisthana Retreat Centre in Herefordshire. A lovely glimpse into what happens when so many people get together to celebrate their faith together... Listen out for more and some interviews through the weekend. #buddhism #buddhist #women #Triratna #meditation #Herefordshire

Cambridge buddhist centre part of sangha festival

Cambridge Buddhist Centre in the UK celebrates 'Sangha Day' - an annual gathering of the Buddhist community and rejoicing in each other. The ritual being performed is the traditional Sevenfold Puja for the Triratna Buddhist Community. For more: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/cambridge

Sangha night at the Cambridge buddhist centre

The final installment of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. This was on the last stage of the meditation to develop loving kindness towards all living beings. A taking stock of what is implied in such an intention, and reflections on a week of intensified focus on positive emotion and the effects of that work. We also get to hear what a 'Texas Hug' is and learn via Seamus Heaney how to meet another person's confusion (and our own). For more resources visit the retreat space archive online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha #friendship #compassion #healing #grief #reconciliation

Part 2 of the fourth of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. This discussion was on the fourth stage of the meditation to develop loving kindness where you consider an "enemy" (someone you find difficult) in awareness and love. In this section we explore the word 'enemy' itself, and the nature of self view in the light of this stage of the meditation. We'll conclude the series at the weekend with reflections on the last stage. Join us all week for discussion of the theme of this year's ongoing Urban Retreat: Blazing Like The Sun... For more resources join the retreat space online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha #friendship #compassion #healing #grief #reconciliation

The fourth of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. Today's discussion was on the fourth stage of the meditation to develop loving kindness where you consider an "enemy" (someone you find difficult) in awareness and love. And as you'll hear, it goes deep! In fact, our gallant crew were so generous and open we've decided to split the discussion into two parts rather than lose whole sections. So this is part 1 and we'll release part 2 tomorrow, concluding at the weekend with reflections on the last stage. Join us all week for discussion of the theme of this year's ongoing Urban Retreat: Blazing Like The Sun... For more resources join the retreat space online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha #friendship #compassion #healing #grief #reconciliation

The third of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from a cold and bright Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. Today's discussion jumping off from the third stage of the meditation to develop loving kindness where you consider a "neutral person" in awareness and love. Join us all week for discussion of the theme of this year's ongoing Urban Retreat: Blazing Like The Sun... For more resources join the retreat space online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha

The second of our early morning, post-meditation conversations about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. Join us all week for discussion of the theme of this year's ongoing Urban Retreat: Blazing Like The Sun... For more resources join the retreat space online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha

Our first post-meditation conversation about metta (loving kindness) from Portsmouth, NH, in the U.S. Join us all week for discussion of the theme of this year's ongoing Urban Retreat: Blazing Like The Sun... For more resources join the retreat space online at www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat #lovingkindness #metta #urbanretreat #Buddhism #meditation #Buddha

Saturday night puja at the young buddhist weekend retreat at Adhisthana. Metta: blazing like the sun... #mantra #chanting #chant #Padmasambhava #Buddhism #Buddhist #Buddha #Dharma #community #sangha #youngbuddhists

Part of the urban retreat. Starting NOW!

A personal, moving short talk by Upekshadaka about his own struggles to practice loving kindness ('metta') towards himself and others. Evoking his work and his relationship with his father, we get a clearly felt sense of how vital and rewarding this meditation can be. Radical change as part of the everyday of our lives... Join the urban retreat: www.thebuddhistcentre.com/urbanretreat