Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Triratna Paris celebrates change of name

Christian Richard writes from Triratna’s Paris Centre - the Centre Bouddhiste de l'Ile de France, with photographs of their ‘name change’ ceremony.  


During the ceremony  Sandra, a mitra, "transferred" the light from the old name to the new one - you can see both represented on the shrine. 


Check their programme on  www.centrebouddhisteparis.org - and their extensive library of French Dharma texts available on the site.  

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Seven men ordained in Spain

The following seven men received their Public Ordinations at Guhyaloka on June 14th at 12:00 noon:

Frank Horsman from Sheffield (Private preceptor Dharmadipa) becomes Mokshadhara - 'The Bearer of Liberation'

Adrian Gifford from London (Private preceptor Ratnaghosha) becomes Ajjavin - 'He who is honest, upright and sincere.'

Juan Carlos Perianez from London (Private preceptor Saddhaloka) becomes Dayaruchi, 'He who is the splendor, light, brightness, beauty of sympathy, kindness, tenderness, compssion.

John Greany from Dublin (Private preceptor Satyaraja) becomes Vasubhadra -' He who is beneficially blessed, auspicious, kind, friendly, fortunate, pleasant, happy, excellent'

Jochen Berz from Essen and Padmaloka (Private preceptor Bodhimitra) becomes Aryabandhu 'Noble Friend' or 'He who is related to the Transcendental'

Peter Kuklis from Cambridge (Private preceptor Rijumati) becomes Viryakumara - 'Prince of Energy dedicated to the good, to spiritual growth.

Stuart Marr from Australia (Private preceptor Khemmadhamma) becomes Pamojjacitta - 'Heart of Joy'

The Public Preceptors were Satyaraja and Nagabodhi.

Sadhu!

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Maitrin exhibits in East London

Dharmachari Maitrin from Sweden is better-known in arts circles as the photographer Joakim Eneroth. He’s currently exhibiting a collection of photographs entitled ‘Swedish Red’ in the gallery space of art magazine Next Level in East London.

The Swedish Embassy's website reports -

“In his images of snowy Sweden, Eneroth evokes the crisp, idealistic serenity of Nordic winter. Beneath the placid surface, however, lurk the larger questions of isolation and loneliness that come with seeking this quiet security.'

“Eneroth's work has been exhibited internationally in dozens of solo and group shows. He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards and his works are held in private and institutional collections, including The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and The Museum of Modern Art, Stockholm. The photo book Swedish Red is released in 2010. Joakim Eneroth lives and works in Stockholm”.

The exhibition runs from 1 Jun - 18 Jul 2010, at 58 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JL and the opening times are Tuesday - Friday 12 - 6 pm and Saturday - Sunday 2 - 6 pm.

Maitrin’s website is at  www.joakimeneroth.com

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Friday, June 18, 2010

Windhorse:Evolution set out 10-point vision

The great stupa at the heart of Uddiyana,
the Windhorse warehouse in Cambridge
Windhorse:Evolution is Triratna’s largest and most successful Right Livelihood business, with an annual turnover of some UK £10m and an impressive record of dana, or generosity, to many Buddhist and social projects around the world.

To coincide with Keturaja taking over as their new Managing Director (see yesterday’s story on Triratna News) they’ve been clarifying their vision and core values, and we’re delighted to reproduce them below.

In addition they’ve a new advert out on Triratna Jobs - looking for men to join them in the Uddiyana (Windhorse) warehouse over the 2010 Xmas period: besides their standard support package, they’re offering a generous £1,000 grant towards an individual’s retreat or study programme.

Keturaja says -

“Over the last six months there has been a lot of discussion about the future vision of Windhorse:Evolution. We have moved out of survival mode and are able to look ahead and ask the questions ‘what is important to us?’ and ‘where do we want to go from here?’ In the Management Forum, we have been exploring this question. We’ve also met with the trustees of the Windhorse Trust to get a broader perspective on these questions, and in January many of us participated in a ‘conversation café’ where we explored these questions.

“I was heartened to see some common themes emerge around which there is a high degree of consensus. We are a Buddhist-led business, which means that the inspiration for our vision has its roots in the wider Buddhist vision for humanity. This is one of supporting the growth and unfolding of human potential - helping individuals to grow in awareness, compassion and insight.

“I want to draw out ten of these key themes that came up again and again in our discussions. They are ten themes on which I believe we can base the future direction and development of the business.

“In presenting these themes I don’t see a great shift in our overall direction. I think what has emerged is still very much true to the founding aims of the business. I am keen however that we are clearer about what our collective vision is and that we are able to articulate it both to ourselves, and to those outside the business – our customers and others in our Buddhist movement.

“Our vision looking outwards to the world is to run a financially successful business, taking less for ourselves, in order that we can maximise the money we give away. We want to run an ethical business that operates with an awareness of our impact on the environment. We want to exemplify the advantages of Team Based Right Livelihood and support the development of similar businesses.

1) Promoting the spread of the Dharma - we give funds directly to individuals and organisations that promote the Dharma and the living of a Buddhist lifestyle. We believe that supporting the spread of the dharma through building a Buddhist Movement is the most meaningful way we can positively engage with the world.

2) Supporting social projects – we give funds directly to social projects that benefit those in the communities from which we source the goods we sell, or to social projects connected to the Triratna Buddhist Community. This approach builds connection and minimises administrative costs, thus maximising the effectiveness of our gifts.

3) Providing ethically traded giftware for our customers – we have a clear ethical code in relation to our suppliers and aim to build strong and lasting relationships with our suppliers. We do not sell animal products and only use wood from renewable sources. We pay a fair price and check the working conditions and wages paid in the factories and workshops of our suppliers.

4) Developing environmental awareness – We aim to be a low carbon business and community, minimising the harmful impact of our business and personal lives on the environment. Many of us live a simple lifestyle with a low carbon footprint. Low levels of consumption, community living and sharing resources facilitate this.

5) Incubating/supporting new Buddhist businesses – we want to support other Buddhist businesses that share our values. We try to help in a number of ways like sharing the business learning we have gained.

Our vision for our windhorse:evolution community not only involves creating supportive conditions for personal practice but also providing an opportunity to engage in collective practice. We believe this helps us work towards becoming more selfless.

6) Providing a context for spiritual practice – we believe that in the context of meditation, reflection and study, ethical work can be a dynamic driver of spiritual growth. We aim to support individual spiritual development by providing supportive conditions for personal practice and by building team contexts for more intimate collective practice.

7) Promoting Buddhist ethical values within the business – we encourage the development of an ethos in the business that is inspired by Buddhist ethical precepts. We recruit staff, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, who resonate with these values.

8) Caring for our staff - we aim to create a working environment characterised by friendliness, openness in communication and honesty. We aim to create an ethos where everyone can be heard and their point of view taken into consideration. We want all staff to feel fairly treated and their needs taken into consideration.

9) Promoting learning and development - we offer a range of on-the-job training. We have a training manager who offers personal coaching and training workshops, especially to managers. We aim to create an environment of on-going learning and development.

10) Building a friendly Buddhist community – we offer the opportunity to work (and live - if desired) with likeminded people providing a basis for deep and longstanding friendship. We offer a wide range of community living situations for Buddhists. The business aims to support a wide range of activities that are not directly work related e.g. choir, yoga, and the pantomime. We welcome the cultural diversity that comes from an international workforce.

Keturaja
May 2010

He speaks a little more about this in a short interview recorded for Triratna News:

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Windhorse:Evolution choose new MD

The Triratna Buddhist Order contains many unsung heroes among its' 1,600 members. One of these is Vajraketu, who for the past 23 years has been Managing Director of Windhorse:Evolution, Triratna’s largest and most successful Right Livelihood business. With Windhorse turning over some £10m/year, and annual dana sometimes exceeding £250k, he's been responsible for a lot of money flowing into the Movement! But all things are impermanent, and now he writes to say -

“I have been a director of Windhorse for almost twenty-five years and the Managing Director for twenty-three of those years. Now I have decided to step down as Managing Director and pass that position on to Keturaja. I will remain as a Director, with my main responsibility being for buying, and with input into all the areas of the business that I currently input to.

"Broadly speaking there are two reasons for making this change. It has been increasingly apparent over the last two to three year that more and more of the initiative and vision for the business is coming from Keturaja. While he hasn’t done everything himself, it is fair to say that he has played the leading role in what has proved to be a relatively smooth transition of W:E from an almost exclusively Buddhists-working-on-support business, to one of a harmonious mix of non-Buddhists and Buddhists, waged and supported. At the same time, we have made big strides in becoming more professional, and less chaotic, as befits a business our size, and he also led much of that.

From the archives: a Windhorse meeting from the early 1990s
Keturaja is on the left
“So there is a definite sense in which my stepping down as MD is in part an acknowledgement of a change that has already happened, rather than a radical shift, and that is the first reason why we are doing it.

“Secondly, it became clear to me last year that the business needs a vision for the next five to ten years. We have spent the past eighteen months or more in survival mode. This was very necessary, and in its way it was a vision and one that we collectively responded to very well. But it won’t do as a vision for the long-term future.

“My personal assessment is that Keturaja is better able than me to mould and lead that new vision. Partly this is a matter of age and energy. I am 56 and feel more like resting on my laurels rather than energetically leading a dynamic new vision. Even if I did feel like doing it I think Keturaja would actually be better at it than I would. He is very thorough, consensual and clear, while at the same time being creative and imaginative, a quite rare combination of qualities. I have relied on him a lot over the years and he has not perhaps got as much credit for the successes of W:E as he has deserved.

“I would like to emphasise that I am sticking around. I enjoy my work and I enjoy working here and with you. I am not leaving. I still have a lot to offer the business in terms of experience and practical knowledge, but I don’t quite have the right combination of qualities to give the business the leadership I think it needs at the moment. Keturaja will, no doubt, expand on what he thinks about all this elsewhere”.

Tomorrow we’ll be printing some reflections by Keturaja, including his ten-point summary of Windhorse’s core ethical values and purpose.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Mitra ceremony in Western Ireland

June 3rd saw the three small Triratna Buddhist Sanghas in the West of Ireland coming together to celebrate their fifth mitra ceremony, welcoming Pat Youell from Westport into their number. The Ballina Hotel provided the venue, Sinhaketu - founder and principle teacher for all groups - was the celebrant, and Lokabandhu from the Triratna Development team, who happened to be visiting, managed to video the proceedings.

Watch it in the embedded player below, or click the direct link
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata&v=cSAfYLWGDzc



Pat joins approximately 10,000 Mitras around the world, including 2,000 in the UK and some 7,000 in India.  Triratna activities in the West of Ireland are held weekly at Belmullet, Ballina, and Westport.

Sadhu!

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Graduation Ceremonies at Nagaloka, India

Mitra Deeksha ceremony
held in front of Nagaloka's 

Majestic Walking Buddha
Vivekaratna, Director of Triratna’s Dhamma and Social training centre at Nagaloka in Nagpur, central India, writes to say -

“Greetings and  Jai Bheem.

“The training of our VIIIth Batch of students has been concluded with the Buddha Jayanti Festival held from 25th May to 27th May at Nagaloka. On that occasion 57 persons became Dhamma Mitras, including 24 male and 17 female trainees who were reaching the end of their training.

“Certificates to mark their successful completion of the DhammaSekhiya (Dhamma Training) course were distributed in the farewell ceremony to the VIIIth Batch trainees held on 28th May.

Staff and Trainees with Certificates
“I am sending the photos for posting in Triratna News. I request you to help publish this news.

“With Metta.
“Vivekaratna”

More details of Nagaloka's work are available on their website at www.nagaloka.org. Every year they accept approximately 120 young men and women from all over India for a year's intensive training in Buddhism and social work: over 400 graduates now comprise an all-India network of young Dhamma activists.

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Sunday, June 13, 2010

More photos from Triratna ‘name change’ ceremonies around the world

the Norwich Buddhist Centre's 'name change' shrine
More photos are coming in from the ‘name change’ ceremonies of Triratna Centres around the world.

Aryaloka's 'name change' shrine
Here’s examples from the special shrines at Aryaloka in New Hampshire, and the UK's Norwich Buddhist Centre. More welcome!

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

All-Night puja planned for Buddhafield Festival

A stupa from the 2008 Festival
News is just in from Buddhafield of an All-Night Puja planned for their upcoming Buddhafield Festival next month, to include ritual, chanting and meditation, all hosted by veteran puja-leader Dhiramati. All are welcome - so long as you’ve got your festival ticket - for what promises to be a magical, mythical adventure!

He writes to say -

“I’m doing this to raise at least £500 to go to the Buddhafield Frog Mill land appeal. See my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/dhiramati and come and support me through the night.

“Actually this is just one of 150 fundraising activities Buddhafield is hoping to organise before the end of the year - the plan is to get 150 people to take up the challenge and raise £200 each in creative and exciting ways. We would LOVE to fully own our land at Frog Mill by the end of 2010. Our goal of £35,000 raised in this way is really achievable - but we need your help.

“Are you looking for an excuse to do something you’ve never done before? Then get involved and be one of the 150! Other fundraisers already planned include a half-marathon; sponsored knitting; a 60-mile walk from Broadhembury to Frog Mill - see them all (or make your own) at www.justgiving.com/buddhfield ”

Tickets for the Festival are available on-line at www.buddhafield.com - book soon or risk disappointment…

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Taraloka Sustainable Energy Project goes ahead

Kulaprabha writes from Taraloka, Triratna’s award-winning women’s retreat centre in Shropshire, UK, to say -

“Yes!! It’s happening…!!”

She’s referring to Taraloka’s Sustainable Energy Project, which has been in the planning stages for around two years, ever since she started gathering data to work out Taraloka’s carbon footprint and becoming enthused by the possibilities for ‘greening’ Taraloka.

She goes on to say - “About a year ago I started seriously investigating the possibilities of installing solar thermal panels and biomass boiler systems in our retreat centre and community house”.  A long round of research, funding applications, and meetings followed - with the final result that the diggers moved in just a week or so ago...

Read more on the Taraloka blog at www.taraloka.org.uk/?p=3364

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

On the 8th June 2010 the following sixteen women were ordained at Akashavana, the Triratna Buddhist Community's retreat centre in the Spanish mountains. 

Two versions of each name are provided below: First is the proper Sanskrit (or Pali) spelling of the name, given in romanized script with the necessary diacritical marks indicated in parentheses; (this is the actual or 'real' version of the name). Second is the recommended westernisation, which requires no diacritical marks but may often be spelled somewhat differently in order to better reflect the name's pronunciation in the West.

public preceptor Ratnadharini:
Lindsay Hannah becomes Simhamati (dot under first 'm') sanskrit name meaning 'she whose mind is like a lion' westernised spelling: Singhamati private preceptor Parami

Kim Nolan becomes Viryapuspa (bar over 'i' and last 'a', dot under 's') sanskrit name meaning 'flower or blossoming of strong energy directed towards Enlightenment' westernised spelling: Viryapushpa private preceptor Sridevi

Barbaralaure Desplats becomes Manibhadri (dot under 'n', bar over last 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'auspicious, blessed, fortunate as a jewel' westernised spelling: Manibhadri private preceptor Vajrapushpa

Marjorie Wolfe becomes Aryadrsti (bar over first 'a', dots under 'd', second 'r' and 's') sanskrit name meaning 'noble vision' or 'she who possesses a noble, excellent, illustrious vision' westernised spelling: Aryadrishti private preceptor Dayanandi

Jess Davies becomes Vidyadasi (bar over both 'a's and final 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'servant of knowledge (of the nature of Reality)' westernised spelling: Vidyadasi private preceptor Maitreyi

public preceptor Dayanandi :
Phyl Blakey becomes Amoghalila (bar over the 'i' and final 'a') sanskrit name meaning '(she who has) the play of success' westernised spelling: Amoghalila private preceptor Ratnavandana

Kica Gazmuri becomes Simhasri (dot under the 'm', uptick over the final 's', and bar over final 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'she who has the radiance of a lion' westernised spelling: Singhashri private preceptor Viveka

public preceptor Parami:
Helen Tissington becomes Abhayadevi (bar over the 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'fearless/undaunted goddess' westernised spelling: Abhayadevi private preceptor Gunasiddhi

Margaret Fergusson becomes Danabhadri (bar over 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'she whose happiness and goodness lie in her generosity' westernised spelling: Danabhadri private preceptor Gunasiddhi

Christine Ironside becomes Tejini (bar over last 'i') pali name meaning 'having light or splendour, shining forth, glorious', like a 'piercing' flame westernised spelling: Tejini private preceptor Ratnadharini

public preceptor Maitreyi:
Lindsay Henderson becomes Satyadakini (dot under 'd', bar over third 'a' and last 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'dakini of truth' westernised spelling: Satyadakini private preceptor Dayapakshini

Chris Jackson becomes Sraddhalocani (uptick over 's', and bar over second 'a' and last 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'she who has the eyes of faith' westernised spelling: Shraddhalochani private preceptor Moksanandi

Wendy Young become Bodhilila (bar over second 'i' and 'a') sanskrit name meaning '(she who has) the play of awakening' westernised spelling: Bodhilila private preceptor Ratnavandana

Linda Shaw becomes Tamonuda (dot over 'n', and bar over final 'a') sanskrit name meaning 'she who dispels darkness' westernised spelling: Tamonuda private preceptor Muditasri

public preceptor Padmasuri:
Els den Hollander becomes Jayavajri (bar over 'i') sanskrit name meaning 'she who is of the victorious vajra' westernised spelling: Jayavajri private preceptor Khemasiri

Sooz Cohn becomes Dayajoti (bar over second 'a') pali name meaning 'she who has the light of kindness and compassion' westernised spelling: Dayajoti private preceptor Parami

with metta, Ratnadharini, Dayanandi, Parami, Maitreyi and Padmasuri

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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Revering and Relying upon the Dharma: Subhuti introduces Sangharakshita's approach to right view

In February this year Dharmachari Subhuti conducted a number of interviews with Sangharakshita about his presentation of the Dharma. The full article can be read here; www.box.net/shared/xua9ecutch
Below is Subhuti's introduction to his article. He writes -

“'What is our fundamental philosophical position?', mused Sangharakshita during a meeting of senior members of the Triratna Order in the 1980's. I was struck by his reflective tone – and the fact that he gave no answer: this was work in progress.

"Without interrogating the notion 'fundamental philosophical position' too closely, it broadly corresponds in this context to the Buddhist term 'samyag-dṛṣṭi' or 'Right View' – 'Perfect Vision' in Sangharakshita's translation. Over his many years of teaching, Sangharakshita has expounded Right View in many ways, using the terminology and perspectives of a wide range of historical Buddhist schools and translating key terms variously, borrowing from the philosophical, psychological, poetic, and even religious vocabulary of the West. He has also formed his own distinctive language for communicating the Buddha's view of life, in such phrases as the 'Higher Evolution' or the 'Cosmic Going for Refuge'. The remarkable richness and diversity of what he has said and written is certainly, besides its luminous clarity, one of the most attractive features of the Triratna Community, the movement he has founded, giving it a particularly broad appeal and deep scope. However, it also leaves potential problems. Consistency may indeed be a foolish hobgoblin, but inconsistency can lead to misunderstanding and confusion.

"We need to consider the whole grand sweep of Sangharakshita's presentation carefully if we are to discern a fundamental philosophical position. But this is not an easy task. While carrying it out, there are two main points to be born in mind, because they account for some of the apparent inconsistency.

"First, his exposition of one or other Buddhist tradition should not necessarily be taken for approval of it. He has often found himself elucidating teachings so that his disciples can appreciate the Buddhist background from which they have sprung. In doing so, he has engaged his considerable powers of empathy with those points of view and has tried to understand them on their own terms, thereby helping us get inside them. Indeed, I have heard him do the same for works of literature and even for the doctrines of other religions. However, his making intelligible an aspect of the Buddhist tradition, even revealing its spiritual efficacy, does not necessarily mean that he considers it useful in its own right or that it should become part of the Triratna Community's currency.

"Second, we must take into account Sangharakshita's own development as a practitioner and as a teacher. Throughout his life he has been deepening his understanding of the Dharma and clarifying his expression of it. Although there is striking continuity in his understanding from his earliest writings to the present day, there is nonetheless a discernible evolution over time: it is possible to recognise the gradual emergence of an integral core that is distinctive to him. Sangharakshita has himself described the unfolding of the core of that core in his The History of My Going for Refuge, and similar development can be seen elsewhere.

"We must then always read his earlier teachings in the light of his later. This does not by any means require us to discard his earlier material – for instance, burning any book in which he uses terminology borrowed from the German Idealists, like 'The Absolute', which he now eschews. Nor yet does it require us to cut out the entire Mahayana, because he now finds some of its metaphysicising problematically reified, despite his earlier use of it. What it implies is that we should have a good understanding of his most recent perspective when we look at his earlier work and read or listen to it accordingly. And, of course, his disciples should take great care in how they themselves use that earlier material in their own practice. When they teach the Dharma they should ensure that the basic position is clear and, if they choose to refer to other, more ambiguous material, they should make it obvious that they are doing so for particular purposes.

"Even when all this is taken into account, Sangharakshita's question of thirty or so years ago still requires an answer. What is the Triratna Community's fundamental philosophical position? Insofar as the movement is founded upon Sangharakshita's particular presentation of the Dharma, that requires us to know his fundamental philosophical position. What are we to make of his various ways of speaking about Right View, whether those derived from tradition or of his own coinage? I have been especially concerned that those of us who are his disciples hear something definitive from him about such problematic terms as 'The Absolute', 'The Unconditioned', 'The Transcendental', etc., as well as 'Cosmic Going for Refuge' etc. So in March this year I had a series of conversations with him in which we discussed his latest thinking about these matters.

"I recorded our sessions, intending to transcribe and edit them, however Sangharakshita preferred that I should write them up in my own words, since the topic requires a greater precision than he can martial in a spoken exchange - the deterioration of his sight not permitting him to commit his thought to paper himself. This I have done in what follows. I have tried to expound what Sangharakshita said to me at that time, not only on the basis of what he then said but also what I have found elsewhere in his work that seems relevant, and I have expanded upon his thought in my own words. What I have written has been carefully checked by Sangharakshita and can be taken as accurately representing his thought – as accurately as is possible in another's words and style".

Subhuti's full article can be read here; www.box.net/shared/xua9ecutch

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Buddhafield Festival seeks FREAKS FOOLS POETS STAND UP MAGICIANS IMPROVISERS ACTORS STORYTELLERS and more...

Over at Buddhafield, in the West of England, they’re putting the final touches to this year’s Buddhafield Festival - their 15th in an unbroken row! And there’s a call out for performers willing to come for free for 5 days. Lizzie Mchale, organiser of the LIZZIE's LIVE LOUNGE and CABARET space in the Festival, says -

Hiya
I wonder if you would put this about on the Order Members secret ethernet communication system - and any other buddhist network you might be on?

BUddHaFiELD FeSTiVaL 2010
the cutest cuddliest safest most supportive lovely place to try something out great crowds lovely people positively family friendly yet daring and controversial in a peaceful kind of way... sort of festival!

WED 14 - SUN 18 JULY 2010

And I’m looking for 
FREAKS FOOLS POETS STAND UP MAGICIANS IMPROVISERS ACTORS STORYTELLERS
and
GENERAL CABARET MELEE

Candidates will probably have buddhist leanings! and I would like to make sure that those who do - get to hear about the opportunity!
Thank you
Lizzie

You’d be performing 3 X 20 minutes(ish) sets plus some guerrilla cabaret around site(and THE 5th BUDDHAFIELD SLAM!)

FREE ENTRY for performers
MEAL TICKETS
some travel expenses
and LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE.

ONLY A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE SO CONTACT ME QUICKLY (email me here - Lizzie Mchale)
(and don’t call me Quickly at work!)

I love you all!!!
Lizzie Mc

The theme of the Festival this year is A Force for Good in the World - as ever, there’ll be a vast array of teachings, talks, workshops, music, kids activities, ceremonies and much much more on offer - we’ll try and bring you news of the line-up as it reaches us.

 At nearly 3,000 people it’s Triratna’s largest event outside India and consistently attracts rave reviews -whatever the weather!

More photos from last year are on-line on the Triratna Photos site.

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Triratna Dharma Training Course


A full time, intensive, six month Dharma training course is being developed at Madhyamaloka in Birmingham. We aim to offer a thorough grounding in the basics of Triratna Buddhism. The course will include several retreats with Subhuti, as well as seminars with a number of the most experienced teachers in the Order.  We will concentrate on Sangharakshita’s exposition of the Dharma, as well as looking at the Pali Canon, and other useful developments in Buddhist history.  
 
The course will be for men, preferably young ones, though a serious interest in Dharma training is our main requirement. Participants will be accommodated in (comfortable) dormitory style accommodation at Madhyamaloka. Places will be limited. The course will start in early to mid January and run until around the end of June. It is not yet fully costed, but we will try to keep it as cheap as possible -  less than £2000 per person, and hopefully not more than £1500. Windhorse:evolution have offered a generous package for those who need funding, whereby students would work at Windhorse for four months running up to Christmas, and would be housed in a community,  in exchange for a substantial contribution to the funding of the course. If you are interested in this package please get in contact as soon as possible. There may also be opportunities to earn extra money within the course working with Sanghadeva.
 
If you are interested in the course and want to know more please contact Vidyaruci - matt.notmatt@yahoo.co.uk

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Ordination in America

On Saturday June 5th Chris Eyer, from Triratna’s ‘Rocky Mountain Buddhist Center’ in Missoula Montana, was ordained as Sarananda, meaning "He who delights in the firm heartwood (of reality)". Dhammarati was the Preceptor.

Meanwhile Padmasuri reports that the private ordinations of all 16 women attending the 3-month Ordination course at Akasavana in Spain have been taking place between 31st May and 4th June.

The Public Ordinations are starting today, mid-morning on 8th June, local Spanish time. We’ll bring you their names as soon as they are released.

Sarananda brings the Order to a total of 1,641 members world-wide.

SADHU!

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Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Padmavajra introduces our new name - Triratna

The last night of the FWBO/Triratna International Retreat saw a special puja to mark the changing of the name from ‘Friends of the Western Buddhist Order’ to ‘Triratna Buddhist Community’. Thanks once again to the great work of ClearVision and VideoSangha, we’re delighted to be able to bring you this video from Padmavajra in which he introduces the new name - and much more... Along the way he explains how the Movement came to have two names - being known as ‘Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha Sahayaka Gana’, or TBMSG, in India. He concludes with a moving description of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara as the symbol for the Order and its work in the world.

Essential viewing for anyone interested in Triratna!



And thanks once again to ClearVision and VideoSangha for making this possible.

The direct VideoSangha link is: www.videosangha.net/video/Changing-our-name-to-Triratna-B

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Triratna International Retreat ends with name change ceremony; third talk now on-line

As the Triratna International retreat draws to its close today we’re delighted to be able to bring you the third of the three major talks from the retreat. Saddhanandi, chairwoman of Taraloka, delivered a series of moving reflections around the theme of Sangha.

 Entitled ‘Individualism: Hearing the Demon’s Comforting Whisper’, you can watch it here, or via VideoSangha at www.videosangha.net/video/Individualism-Hearing-the-Demon



Last night saw Padmavajra leading a ‘Name Change Puja’, as the FWBO officially changed to the Triratna Buddhist Community, and we hope to bring you his opening remarks soon.

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