East Kent Buddhist Group are all smiles

Vincent Stokes writes from the FWBO’s East Kent Buddhist Group with news of their recent day retreat. He says -

“On Saturday 20 February the East Kent Buddhist Group were fortunate to have the company of Maitreyabandhu who led us through a day of mindfulness. His through exposition of the Four Spheres of Mindfulness was inspiring and often funny. Many of the 25 Sangha members present expressed their appreciation.

"Maitreyabandhu left a deep impression on us. Much of our following Sangha night was taken up with expressions of appreciation of Maitreyabandhu and the day he so kindly gave us.

“We also deeply appreciate Danapriya’s efforts in inviting order members to the group. For me the day was an expression of a growing Sangha, I felt supported, seen and deeply inspired, it was very moving. Like a dance we looked out for each other with smiles, attention and lots of delicious home made food.

“With Love Vincent Stokes”

The photo the took at the end of the day seems to speak for itself! You can find details of their classes and retreats at http://danapriya.org

First Mitra ceremonies for East Kent Buddhist Group

Danapriya writes from the FWBO’s ‘East Kent Buddhist Group’ with news of their first Mitra Ceremonies - perhaps, he says, even the first in the Triratna Buddhist Order! He says -

“The East Kent Buddhist Group has just had Mitra Ceremonies for Hannah Youngs and Sally Birch. Hannah is 18yrs old and is daughter of Karunajala - and has been going on retreat since she was 4 yrs old! Sally has been on the LBC's winter retreat the last 2 yrs and hardly misses a class.

“27 people attended - we just about packed them into our shrineroom which is only 11 x 13 feet! It was a wonderful evening and Sally and Hannah may even be the first Mitras of the Triratna Buddhist Order! We had three visiting Order Members Subhadramati, Karunajala and Vajrashraddha among the guests.

“Love from Danapriya

Founded in Deal, Kent, in 2007, the group found it attracted people from all over East Kent, and changed its name to suit. For more information check their website.

First retreats for FWBO groups in Kent and Dusseldorf

Here’s a couple of updates from two of the FWBO’s newer groups. Proving, perhaps, that small is often beautiful!

Danapriya writes from Kent, UK -

“Dear Lokabandhu,

“Here’s a little something for the FWBO News.

“The East Kent Sangha based in Deal, Kent have just had their first Sangha Retreat called 'Loving Life' at Vajrasana Retreat Centre.

There were 25 of us on the retreat and we had a fantastic time and it has really had a positive effect on bringing the Sangha together even more. You will get a feel for the retreat from the photo. We had a fabulous team Siddhishvari, Sraddhagita, Suryaketu, Phil Daly and myself (Danapriya).  Love from Danapriya.”

You’ll find them at http://danapriya.org

And from Düsseldorf in Germany, Sraddhabandhu writes -

“In the last two months the development of „FWBO Düsseldorf”  has made further steps. On the first weekend of August we booked the Retreat centre “Vimaladhatu” and had our first retreat especially for the Düsseldorf Sangha. 12 people attended, plus 4 people in the team. For some people it was their first retreat ever, but everything went smooth. All enjoyed themselves, felt inspired and are eager to go on the next retreat. We haven’t booked jet, but perhaps it will be a “less-than-typical retreat” insofar that we sail on the Dutch Ijsselmeer and meditate on the ship.

“A month later we went for a walking tour just in the vicinity of Düsseldorf. Extraordinary about this is, that this time it was not organized by a member of the team. Tanja planned and led the hike, and it was an enjoyable afternoon. I look forward for more initiatives from the Sangha.

“Yours in the Dharma, Sraddhabandhu”