New Chairs for Triratna in Belgium

Following last week’s story about the upcoming European Triratna weekend to be held in Gent, there’s more news from there, with the announcement of their recent change of chairmanship. Dhammaketu, founder of the ‘Triratna-boeddhistisch centrum Gent’ is stepping down after 15 years at the helm, to be replaced by two of his younger students. Arthakusalin (shown right), and one of the new co-chairs, writes to say -

“On Thursday 24th March there was a change of guards in the Triratna centre of Ghent, Belgium. For fifteen years Dhammaketu was an excellent chair and now he is handing over his responsibilities to myself and Upekshadaka (shown below).

“This event was well attended by the sangha as well as by a Belgian zen teacher and two people from the Jikoji tradition. After a rejoicing in the many qualities and merits of Dhammaketu, the responsibilities were handed over in the context of a sevenfold puja.

"The new chairs even received a real hammer to use in a skilful but decisive way! It was an evening where joy, friendship and the Three Jewels were celebrated.

“With metta! Arthakusalin

Central European Triratna Day - all invited

Sanghadarsini writes from Triratna’s centre in Essen, Germany, with news of their upcoming Central European Triratna day. She says - “This year we will celebrate in Gent (Belgium) on the 9th and 10th of April. 'We' are the Triratna Sanghas from Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Poland and Russia. It is a great opportunity to meet up again and to make connections with each other. The theme of this year’s celebration will be “Triratna, We Are Buddhists” - a celebration of what we as a Buddhist movement have to offer the world.

“The weekend begins on Saturday with a more social programme to give us all a chance to get to know each other. Upeksadaka and Bart will give us a guided tour of the historical city of Gent. For the ones who want to get away from the city, there will also be a nature walk. At 6 pm we will all meet up again at the Buddhist Centre in Gent for dinner and a cultural evening.

“On Sunday Triratna Day will be celebrated at the beautiful Seminar Centre owned by Chris and Katelijn, both mitras, who have kindly made the place at our disposal. The place is the 'Blauwe Poort' in Melle. It is set in large gardens, with sculptures, ponds and wet lands, just inland from the banks of a wide river. It has the taste of a retreat centre, being away from the busy world. The day will have a Meditation; presentations from the different Centres; a talk by Arthamitra and a 7-fold Puja celebrated in 3 languages (German, Dutch and French).

“All are welcome, including visitors from the U.K, so if you want to come from please get in contact with us through triratnaday.gent@gmail.com

"With metta,Sanghadarsini