Would you like to hear more about our Movement in India?

Over the next few weeks Indian Order members will be visiting UK Centres and talking about their lives and work. This is a great opportunity to get a different perspective on our Movement and the Dharma.

One of the benefits of experiencing the internationality of our Movement is seeing what of Buddhism is cultural. Throughout it's history the Dharma has adapted as it encounters different situations; so what is central and what varies? It is the recognition that we can take direction of our own lives and through changing how we relate to a situation change the way it unfolds that is the essence of the Dharma. In hearing about our work in India we see that principle played out in a more direct and socio-politically active fashion than we are familiar with in the West; but it is the same Dharma.

To hear more about this work; and especially the work of some of those responsible for training men and women for ordination in the Triratna Buddhist Order the come along to one of the following;

Sunday 28th August - Sheffield Buddhist Centre
Monday 29th August - Bristol Buddhist Centre or the London Buddhist Centre
Tuesday 30th August – Birmingham Buddhist Centre or the West London Buddhist Centre or Norwich Buddhist Centre
Thursday 1st September – Nottingham Buddhist Centre or Colchester Buddhist Centre
Saturday 3rd September – Croydon Buddhist Centre
Monday 5th September – North London Buddhist Centre or Manchester Buddhist Centre

(They haven't achieved the psychic power of being in more than place at once, unfortunately, there's more than one group!)

This tour is being organised by the India Dhamma Trust (indiadhammatrust.org), in association with Golden Rainbow. If you feel inspired to give to either of these causes please contact manjusiha@indiadhmmatrust.org. You can also donate on our website.

LBC Charity Shop makes £18 000 profit in first year of trading!

Santavajri from Triratna’s London Buddhist Centre writes with news of their new Right Livelihood charity shop, Lama’s Pyjamas - and the healthy profit they’ve made in their first year of trading!

She says - “Lama’s Pyjamas is the London Buddhist Centre’s new charity shop in Bethnal Green. We sell clothes, bric-a-brac, CDs, DVDs, videos, toys, cards, jewellery, small items of furniture, books, and more. In fact, the only things we don’t sell are electrical goods and larger pieces of furniture. During the 17 months we’ve been open, we’ve sold all manner of weird and wonderful things, including bicycles, designer watches, and a wedding dress!

“The shop is a women’s team-based right livelihood business managed by a team of three, with another 10 or so volunteers and casual workers.

“In our first year, our gross takings were £73 000, of which £18 000 was profit. We employed three full-time workers on Right Livelihood support and paid a market rent for the premises. After re-investing some of the profit in the business, we were able to give £11 000 in dana to the LBC.

“It would seem that, in these times of economic hardship, charity shops can do very good business! We would be happy to share the experience we’ve gained over the last year with anyone in Triratna who is considering setting up a similar venture. Please email Claudine@lamaspyjamas.com, Padmalila@lamaspyjamas.com or Santavajri@lamaspyjamas.com for more information.

They have a website at www.lamaspyjamas.com.

The Triratna Buddhist Community on Film

Maitreyaraja writes from Triratna's London Buddhist Centre with news of their upcoming day “The Triratna Buddhist Community on Film”. He says - “On Saturday 19 March Subhuti and Suryaprabha are hosting ‘Earth Rising Heaven Descending’ at the LBC. This is a real opportunity to see the story of Triratna told on film in the presence of both Suryaprabha - the films’ director - and Subhuti - one of Triratna’s principle pioneers, innovators, and teachers.

“There’s four separate films - Background, Once Free, Recurring Dream, and The Rainbow - which between them cross four continents capturing something of the essence of Triratna by showing how it as a spiritual community is evolving and changing in the twenty-first century.

“Besides the films themselves, there’ll be plenty of time to discuss them and ask Subhuti and Suryaprabha questions throughout the day. The day will be hosted by Subhuti.

“Details are: Venue - the London Buddhist Centre, (51 Roman Rd, London, E2); doors open 9.30am. First film at 10.00am, finish at 5.30pm. Bring a vegetarian lunch to share. Cost £25/20. Click here to book, or  for more information phone 020 8981 1225.

Earth Rising Heaven Descending
Saturday 19 March
The Triratna Buddhist Community on Film.

'Poetry East' at the London Buddhist Centre

Maitreyabandhu writes from the London Buddhist Centre with news of the 2011 line-up for Poetry East, their new venture showcasing the work of well-known contemporary poets, exploring the relationship between poetry and spiritual life. He says -  "Hi there all, I'm particularly proud of my line-up for Poetry East next year, so I thought I'd let you know! Here's the details... Love Maitreyabandhu

January 22nd
Penelope Shuttle  has published nine collections of poetry including Redgrove’s Wife, which was short-listed for both the Forward and the TS Eliot Prize. Her new collection, Sandgrain and Hourglass, was a PBS recommendation. 'Her poems of mourning...are among the best she has written.' Elaine Feinstein, The Times.

March 26th
Jo Shapcott won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for Best First Collection, the Forward Poetry Prize, and the National Poetry Competition (twice). She is Professor of Poetry at the University of London and President of the Poetry Society. Her most recent collection Of Mutability, was shortlisted for the Forward Prize.

October 1st
Jackie Kay won the Cholmondeley Award in 2003. Her Maw Broon Monologues, performed at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow were shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry. Her latest book Red Dust Road, a memoir about meeting her Nigerian birth father, was sterilized on BBC Radio 4. In 2006, she was awarded an MBE, for services to literature.

November 19th
Bernard O'Donoghue is a poet and literary critic. His 1995 collection, Gunpowder won the Whitbread Poetry Award. His Selected Poems was published by Faber and Faber in 2008. He received a Cholmondeley Award in 2009. Bernard is a Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, and a senior member of the Oxford University Poetry Society

Triratna Football Tournament 2011: a devotee reports

The annual Triratna Football Tournament, now in its 12th year, is a much-loved part of Triratna’s annual calendar - at least for its devotees! The strength of its connection with Buddhist practice is proven by the fact that it awards prizes not only for goals but for fair play - can any other football association say as much?!  Plus, of course by it's distinctive kit, as shown in the photos below.

Manjusiha,  captain of the LBC’s team, writes saying -

“The annual Triratna football tournament took place last month in Victoria Park, not far from the London Buddhist Centre. Teams from Buddhafield, the LBC, Ireland, North London and Cambridge took part in a hard fought and close competition, with the LBC eventually coming out as victors on goal difference.

“We were really pleased to win the competition and the Fair Play award at the same time. That’s been our footballing holy grail for many years!”

The photos show the LBC’s kit, which was designed by Jim Taylor, a mitra at the LBC.

Jayaraja, a Karuna Trust fundraiser who organises the tournament ,says “it would be great to have more teams in the tournament next year.” Do get in contact with him if you are interested in taking part: just email him at jayaraja108@yahoo.co.uk

Ordination at the London Buddhist Centre

The Nalanda Crest at the London Buddhist Centre

On the 19th August Anna Robinson had her public ordination at Triratna's London Buddhist Centre. Her private preceptor was Dhammadassin and the public preceptor was Mallika. During the ceremony Anna became Tareshvari meaning "capable of crossing over" (bridge builder)

Her name is Sanskrit, and should be written with a macron [horizontal bar] over the first "a", an uptick over the "s" and a macron over the "i".

Sadhu!

Poetry East coming up at London Buddhist Centre

 Fiona Sampson,
reading poetry
at the LBC
on April 24th

Maitreyabandhu writes with news of the next event hosted by Poetry East - the London Buddhist Centre ‘s bi-monthly poetry forum. He says -

“Our next event is coming up on Saturday 24th April; we’ll be welcoming Fiona Sampson.

“Fiona has published seventeen books, most recently Poetry Writing (2009) and A Century of Poetry Review (PBS Special Commendation, 2009). She’s won the Newdigate Prize, been short-listed for the Forward single-poem and T.S. Eliot Prizes, received writers’ awards from the Arts Councils of England and Wales, and in 2009 received a Cholmondeley Award.

“She is published in more than thirty languages, and her ten books in translation include Patuvachki Dnevnik, awarded the Zlaten Prsten (Macedonia). Having started life as a violinist, she collaborates regularly with composers as well as visual artists and this year gives the Newcastle Poetry Lectures under the title Music Lessons. She is the editor of Poetry Review, a regular broadsheet reviewer, and Distinguished Writer at the University of Kingston. Forthcoming are Rough Music (May, Carcanet) and the Faber Poet to poet Shelley (2011)

The event starts at 7.30pm at the London Buddhist Centre in East London.

More details on the Poetry East website at www.poetryeast.net

119th Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated at London Buddhist Centre

Dharmashalin writes from the London Buddhist Centre with news of their celebrations marking the 119th Ambedkar Jayanti.  He says -

"The fourteenth of April is the birth date of the great Dhammic and Social revolutionary leader, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. All across India millions of people, hailing from the most downtrodden communities, will be celebrating his life and what he did for them.

"The most significant act of his life was his conversion to Buddhism, just 6 weeks before he died, it was through his Buddhism that he came into contact with Urgyen Sangharakshita. It is through this connection that the Indian Branch of our movement, with over 400 Order members and several thousand Mitras came into existence.

"On Sunday the 11th, Subhuti led an Ambedkar Day celebration at the LBC. Attended by many of our Indian brothers and sisters as well as members of the LBC Sangha, we celebrated Dr Ambedkar's life and his mission. This included personal talks from Indian's and Westerner's about his significance for them and a talk from Subhuti about how Dr Ambedkar's approach to the Dhamma is applicable in the West.

"It was an uplifting and inspiring day for all, if you'd like to know more check out the links below:



LBC Sangha members talking about their impressions of the day:
.    www.videosangha.net/video/Saddhasura-sharing-his-impressi
.    www.videosangha.net/video/Suzie-talks-about-Dr-Ambedkar
Dharmachari Amalabodhi telling us 'what Dr Ambedkar did for me':
.    www.videosangha.net/video/Amalabodhi-talks-about-What-Dr
Audio of Subhuti's talk 'Dr Ambedkar's significance for the West':
.    www.freebuddhistaudio.co.uk/talks/details?num=LOC332
Video of Subhuti answering a question about the depth of practise amongst Indian Buddhists:
.    www.videosangha.net/video/Subhuti-on-levels-of-Going-for
Video of the concluding Puja:
.   www.videosangha.net/video/Mantra-during-Ambedkar-Day-Puja
Ambedkar - the movie.  Download the definitive 3-hour film story of Ambedkar's life - with English soundtrack! .    http://zinemaya.com/zinemaya/movie?movieCode=ambedkar

If you'd like to know more about Dr Ambedkar and our work in India either read 'Ambedkar and Buddhism' by Sangharakshita or search under Ambedkar or India on www.freebuddhistaudio.com.

Lama’s Pyjamas are go!

Padmalila writes from the FWBO’s London Buddhist Centre with news of the opening of their new Right Livelihood business - the Lama’s Pyjamas. Which is a charity shop, in case you were wondering. And you’re invited...! She says -

“The new charity shop for the London Buddhist Centre will be opened officially on Saturday 20th February at 2pm by Jnanavaca, the chairman of the London Buddhist Centre. There will be live music and a special window display of garments designed by Holly. We sell clothes and bric-a-brac and plan to have workshops for the local community teaching basic sewing skills and crafts. We have a mixture of affordable clothing and better quality garments at reasonable prices.

“Holly who is designing garments and doing our window display for the opening has just finished filming a programme for BBC2 , part of the ” Mastercraft” series about traditional British crafts which will be shown in February. She has just finished designing the launch collection for a new shop in the Brick Lane area called "123, Bethnal Green Road" which will be opening later in February. She is interested in sustainability. Her garments are made with care and attention to detail and made to be worn over and over again, known as slow fashion, as opposed to much of the cheaper mass produced fast fashion today which is made to be briefly used and then replaced.

“Please come and see us anytime we're open. Opening hours 12-6pm Monday-Friday and 10.30am-6pm Saturday. Please bring us donations of clothes and bric-a-brac during opening hours and help to keep the LBC providing Meditation and Buddhism teaching, MBCT courses, TBRL and communities which together create the "Buddhist village" of Bethnal Green.

“Lamas Pyjamas is at 83, Roman Road London E2. Tel: 020 8980 1843. Web site: www.lamaspyjamas.com

Thanks Padmalila

‘Poetry East’ at the London Buddhist Centre

Maitreyabandhu writes from the LBC with news of a new Buddhist poetry venue in East London. He says -

“I'm creating a new poetry venue at the London Buddhist Centre. It’s called Poetry East. I plan to invite very good contemporary poets every 6 weeks or so - so far I have Mimi Khalvati (founder of The Poetry School) on 30th January and Fiona Sampson (editor of Poetry Review) on 24th April... also I've asked Bhante to do one and he seems willing!

“I say this about it in the publicity:

“Each poet will be asked to provide two or three poems from the canon that have influenced their poetry; these poems will be read at the beginning of the evening. There will be a short interview with the poet, asking them about their creative life and work with emphasis on their influences, and poets they admire. This will be followed by a poetry reading and questions and answers from the floor. The evening will be preceded by a short led meditation in order to provide the best listening conditions externally and internally. We’ll meet in one of the LBC’s shrinerooms.

“It has a website www.poetryeast.net - please do have a look.

“Love Maitreyabandhu

The Lama's Pyjamas: now for sale at the London Buddhist Centre!

Claudine Edwards writes from the LBC to say -

“Padmalila and I are very excited to announce the start of a new Team Based Right Livelihood business in Bethnal Green, just along the road from the FWBO's London Buddhist Centre. It's a charity shop called Lama's Pyjamas which is located at 83 Roman Road, in the premises previously occupied by Friends Organic.

“We opened our doors a week ago and plan to have a Grand Opening next month. In the mean time do visit our website www.lamaspyjamas.com.

“We're still very much 'work-in-progress' (with quite a lot still to do!) but already we've had a very positive response from the local community and great support from everyone at the LBC. We did the shop fitting ourselves (with lots of help from the wonderful Ibon) using recycled materials donated by members of the sangha - our only major new purchases were a steamer and a till!

“Our vision is for the business to be more than simply a charity shop - we hope, in time, to run training workshops, for instance teaching people the skills they’d need to turn old clothes into new - but for now we're both trying to get the shop up and running as a viable business as well as a place for spiritual practice.

“We're looking for volunteers, so if anybody has a regular amount of time they could spare please do get in touch with us - claudine@lamaspyjamas.com.

Sub-30 retreat at the London Buddhist Centre

SuYen Tan writes from the FWBO’s London Buddhist Centre with news of their new ‘sub-30’ group. He says-

“Dear Friends,

“Young people at the London Buddhist Centre are getting ready for an under-30s retreat. The ‘Sub-30’ weekend retreat will take place at Vajrasana, the LBC's retreat centre in Suffolk, from the 29th to the 31st of January. The retreat provides an opportunity for men and women under the age of 30 to make connections with other young Buddhists, discuss the Dharma, and practice together in a retreat environment. The focus of the weekend will be on meditation and communication.

“The retreat is open to everyone under the age of 30, and who know both the mindfulness and metta bhavana meditation practices as taught within the FWBO. The retreat will be co-led by Knut Wilmott and SuYen Tan.

“There are still a couple of places left on this retreat - please contact the LBC at 0845 458 4716 for bookings. More information can be found at www.lbc.org.uk/Sub30.htm”

The LBC’s Sub-30 group is one of a number of young Buddhists’ groups (eg Birmingham, Brighton, Sheffield) that have sprung up around the FWBO in the past year, many in response to a realisation that action needed to be taken to make sure the Dharma in the West was handed on to the coming generation.

There’s a Young FWBO Facebook group that aims to be a one-stop shop summarising what’s events are coming up - it’s also of course a way to connect with other young Buddhists.  You’ll find this at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49821059114 .  Looking beyond the FWBO for young Buddhist resources, try the American-based Buddhist Geeks site at www.buddhistgeeks.com/.

Meanwhile ClearVision are hard at work on new video material specifically aimed at communicating Buddhist teachings to a younger generation.  A central component of their work is a forthcoming DVD on Buddhism and Citizenship .  Already available is the wonderful  ‘Ask a Buddhist’ service for students (one-minute answers to all those difficult questions!); plus material for children and young people of all ages - 

ages 5-11 (with some wonderful stores from the Jataka tales), 

11-14 (with an interactive Wheel of Life), 

15-16 (with sections on religious authority, and citizenship, and finally 

17-18 A-level students (where there's sections on human rights and responsibilities, also sex and relationships).

MBE for London Order Member

FWBO News has just received a tipoff from our Taraloka mole, who says -

“Just discovered that Sraddhapushpa has just collected her MBE at Buckingham Palace!”

Thanks, mole…! It’s true - Debrett’s says so, where we learn that the Queen has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire...

Sraddhapushpa (whose English name is Suzy Powesland) is a 79-year-old Order Member living in an FWBO women’s community around the London Buddhist Centre, and was for many years a teacher in some of East London’s roughest schools. She was nominated for the award (a Member of the British Empire)by her community, which was awarded for “voluntary service to Black and Minority Ethnic People in East London”.

Sraddhapushpa featured prominently in Ed Husain's 2008 book ‘The Islamist: Why I Joined Radical Islam in Britain, What I Saw Inside and Why I Left’, shortlisted for both the Book Prize and Orwell Prize 2008.

To quote from Chapter 1, Ed Husain says  - “Sir William Burrough primary school in Limehouse was almost an extension of my home. The teachers would often visit my parents and I remember going to Ms Powlesland’s house to pick cherries in her garden. She loved her pupils so much that even her social life revolved around us. At weekends she often took us to theatres in the West End, where many of the stories we read in class came alive on stage. My particular favourite was Peter Pan. I liked his ability to do the undoable: to fly.

“Growing up in Britain in the 1980s was not easy. Looking back, I think Ms Powlesland was trying to create her own little world of goodwill and kindness for the children in her care. We grew up oblivious of the fact that large numbers of us were somehow different – we were ‘Asian’.

"‘Pakis! Pakis! F— off back home!’ the hoodlums would shout. The National Front was at its peak in the 1980s. I can still see a gang of shaven-headed tattooed thugs standing tall above us, hurling abuse as we walked to the local library to return our books. Ms Powlesland and the other teachers raced to us, held our hands firmly, and roared at the hate-filled bigots.

"‘Go away! Leave us alone,’ they would bellow to taunts of ‘Paki lovers’ from the thugs. Little did I know then that one day I, too, would be filled with abhorrence of others..."   (click here to read the rest of the first chapter online).

Sadhu Sraddhapushpa!

London Buddhist Centre starts Buddhist Sunday School

A small news item for any readers who might be in London...

This Sunday, 27 September, the FWBO's London Buddhist Centre are starting their own Buddhist Sunday School.

They say - "Bring your child along for Buddhist stories and teachings, related craft activities and short meditations adapted for children".

The times are 10-11.15am, and the school will run every Sun up to 13 Dec (except 1 Nov and 6 Dec).

They're not the first FWBO children's class - a couple of years ago the Little Buddha Children's Club started in Nagpur, central India.  Since their initials are LBCC perhaps they should become twins!

Female Buddhas celebrated at London Buddhist Centre

Maitrivajri writes with news of a cycle of celebration at the FWBO’s London Buddhist Centre: an honouring of the little-known Five Prajnas, the ‘female’ counterparts of the Five Buddhas in the well-known Five-Buddha Mandala.

She says - “This year we are ritually celebrating the female Buddhas, or Prajnas, on the day and time of the year associated with each of them. We began the cycle with the Summer Solstice and female Buddha Mamaki. We are performing outdoor rituals.

“The rituals are open to those who know both our meditation practices and have some experience of Buddhist ritual. It would be great if the Prajnas received more attention! The Mandala of the Five Prajnas is a symbol and image for the wisdom of the Buddhas.”

Next up, on September 20th, the Autumn Equinox, is a ceremony dedicated to Pandaravasini, the female Buddha of the Western direction associated with dusk and the wisdom of uniqueness.

Later in the year it is the turn of Samayatara, the female Buddha of the Northern direction associated with midnight and the wisdom of action (to be held over the weekend of Halloween/Samhain); and Akasadhatesvari, the female Buddha at the centre of the Mandala beyond time and space. She is associated with the ineffable wisdom of the Transcendental. Her ceremony will take place at the time of the Winter Solstice, Sunday Dec 21st.

For more details check the London Buddhist Centre website.

London Buddhist Centre Grand Reopening

The FWBO's London Buddhist Centre (LBC) held a grand public reopening on 8th and 9th May - after the biggest refurbishment in its 30-year history.

The newly enlarged centre includes a dedicated venue for its Breathing Space ‘Mindfulness for Health’ programme, plus a new bookshop/reception and improved facilities and disability access throughout.

At a private function on Friday 8 May, influential public health policy commentator Lord Layard opened a new venue for the Breathing Space programme, which teaches Mindfulness Based Approaches (MBAs) to help prevent relapse into depression and addiction, and to manage stress and anxiety.

On Saturday 9 May the LBC held an open day – with all events free and open to anyone. The day included meditation sessions and talks about Buddhism and wellbeing. There were also lots of great offers at local businesses in the surrounding ‘Buddhist Village’, including the Wild Cherry Vegetarian Restaurant, Friends Organic Health Food shop and Evolution gift shop. In the evening there was a celebration, with presentations, live music, and refreshments.

The core course at Breathing Space is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Drawing on CBT, it uses mindfulness meditation to help challenge negative thinking that can lead to depression. MBCT is recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and has been shown in clinical trials to be more effective than antidepressants in preventing repeated relapse into depression.

Lord Layard, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and a high-profile commentator on mental health policy, said: “Depression and anxiety are the biggest causes of misery in Britain today, with one in three families affected. As a society we need to act now. There is strong evidence that both CBT and MBCT are effective in preventing relapse. That’s why I warmly welcome this new venue for Breathing Space at the LBC to provide MBCT.” Lord Layard is well known for advocating a new ‘science of happiness’, which embraces philosophy, economics, and psychology. In his best-selling 2005 book ‘Happiness – Lessons from a New Science’ he cites meditation as one of a number of tools we can use to develop happiness from within.

Since its inception in 2004 Breathing Space has helped more than 600 people, through 20 MBA courses and 20 two-day retreats teaching local carers mindfulness-based tools for managing stress and anxiety. It is funded by Tower Hamlets Social Services to provide free places on MBCT courses for people living in Tower Hamlets on a low income, and has contracts with Tower Hamlets and other London Boroughs to provide retreats and drop-in sessions for carers. For more information about Breathing Space and Mindfulness Based Approaches (MBTs) go to www.breathingspacelondon.org.uk.

There is a fast-growing body of medical research to show the beneficial effects of meditation on mental health. Studies have shown that it can have positive effect on regions of the brain related to emotional processing and on the nervous system and neurochemicals released in the brain. Breathing Space has produced a summary of some of these recent findings - see www.breathingspacelondon.org.uk/about-Breathing-Space/about-mbas/meditation-research/ .

The photographs show the new entrance to the LBC and Paramabandhu (the outgoing chairman) meeting Lord Layard during the opening.

LBC celebrates as building work ends

The FWBO’s London Buddhist Centre (LBC) has had the biggest refurbishment in its history – and they’re celebrating.

The newly enlarged centre includes Breathing Space, a new health and wellbeing venue, plus a completely rebuilt bookshop/reception area; with improved facilities and disability access throughout.

Week-long celebrations are planned for May, to include a ritual blessing of the new spaces, open days for both Breathing Space and the LBC, an opening party, and a grand re-opening of the LBC itself. There’s even a VIP - Lord Layard – coming to open Breathing Space. Lord Layard is the UK Government's "happiness" tsar and author of the influential ‘Depression Report’ which advocated a substantial increase in non-chemical treatment for people suffering from stress or depression.

They say “If you feel a connection with the LBC come and have a look round on our Open Day or join us to celebrate Wesak!”

The public programme is currently –

Open Days: LBC and Breathing Space
Free meditation classes, talks on Buddhism. Free introduction to our Mindful Based Approaches (MBSs) to depressions, anxiety and addiction. A chance to introduce friends and family to the atmosphere and the activities of the LBC & Breathing Space. Sat 9 May. 11-5pm. Free of charge.

Celebratory Evening.
An evening to celebrate and rejoice in the people who have made the building project happen; a chance to enjoy the spacious new Centre. With live music and food. Sat 9 May. 7.15pm

Wesak Festival Day
A celebration and exploration of the most significant event in Buddhism: the day the Buddha attained supreme Enlightenment. With meditation, talks and ritual. Subhuti will be giving a Dharma talk as a part of the celebrations, with the title: Meeting the Buddha. Sun 10 May. From 10am. Dana/Donation. Led by Paramabandhu and Maitrivajri.

Grand Opening Party.
Rejoicing in all those who have helped create the new centre with music and film. Mon 11 May. 7.15pm

New painting unveiled at the LBC; Sangharakshita interviewed

Readers of FWBO News will know the LBC recently suffered a major flood in its basement on the eve of its 30th anniversary.

Very shortly before that, they had welcomed Sangharakahita, who on November 8th had unveiled a unveiled a major new shrine painting by Aloka to celebrate the opening of Breathing Space, a third shrine room at the FWBO's London Buddhist Centre.

As part of the opening and unveiling ceremonies, Sangharakahita was interviewed by Maitreyabandhu about his time at the LBC, and a video of this and the unveiling itself can be found on the 'talks' section of the LBC website.

The beautiful triptych painting of the Buddha, his immediate disciples, and the Arya Sangha, includes figures from the Refuge Tree of the Western Buddhist Order.

It is designed to be closable to allow the space to be used for MBCT courses as part of the LBC's new Breathing Space project.

The two photographs show Aloka, the painter, at work in his studio in Norwich, and the finished painting as installed in the LBC.

Flooding at the LBC

Maitreyabandhu has written to let us know of a major flood at the FWBO's London Buddhist Centre - on the very eve of their 30th anniversasry. They are appealing for donations to help cover the cost. Maitreyabandhu says -

"Dear Friend,

"Today is the 30th anniversary of Bhante Sangharakshita opening the main shrine room of the LBC. Last night, on the eve of that anniversary, we had a burst water-main in the street outside, which has flooded the basement causing substantial damage. It looks like we will have to take the whole front elevation of scaffolding down so Thames Water can dig a hole big enough to fix the pipe. The builders will be up all night trying to finish the work on that elevation of the building. Someone will be continuously mopping the basement. We don't know the full extent of the damage yet, but it will be something around £15 and £20,000. Added to this, during our 30th anniversary celebrations in November, a fire was started in the doorway to the new entrance of the LBC causing substantial damage. We have to pay the first £2,500 of any insurance claim.

"Of course for a Buddhist this is a teaching: all things are impermanent, Samsara is not perfect, things go wrong. It reminds me of all the work happening right up to the moment of the opening of the LBC in 1978 – they had their share of disasters! But they created a centre that has benefited so many people.

"It also reminds me of the story about Buddhism going to Tibet. How the building of Samye monastery was constantly disrupted by the local demons. They would come out at night and demolish the work that the builders had done during the day. Our fire and the flood both happened at night. According to the story the only person who could convert the demons to help and not to hinder was the Tantric master Padmasambhava. We need to convert the local demons. But we do not have Padmasambhava. We need to create him together. We can do that meditation and devotional practice – sending well-wishing to the success of the project. We can also direct our energy and connect with our faith in the benefits that the new space will bring.

"A very practical thing you could do to help is give money. I want to urge everyone to donate to the LBC and if you have already given, to consider giving even more. Money is a really clear mark of confidence and care and faith. In many ways we become what we give our money to. It’s how we show that things are important to us. So please give and help convert, by our care, the local demons into protectors of the Dharma. We really need your help and support.

"Thank you in advance,

"Maitreyabandhu.

To donate please click here.

coming soon - news and photos of the recent unveiling by Sangharakshita of the LBC's new painting - a very beautiful triptych of the Buddha, his disciples, and the Bodhisattvas - and hung in pride of place in the LBC's basement...

London Buddhist Centre celebrates 30th anniversary

The FWBO’s London Buddhist Centre celebrates its 30th anniversary this week.

To mark the occasion they’ve arranged a ‘30th Anniversary Urban Retreat’ running from 9th –16th November; it started Sunday with a period of ‘setting intentions’ for the week ahead. They then moved into more ceremonial mode with a Grand Unveiling, by Sangharakshita, of a new 12-foot triptych, painted by Aloka, for their new basement shrine room.

This will form part of the LBC’s new ‘Breathing Space’ area - Breathing Space is the London Buddhist Centre’s growing programme for health and wellbeing; it teaches meditation and mindfulness techniques that can help people who have struggled with depression, addiction, stress and anxiety to look after their own mental health. It’s also a resource center for carers in the area, helping local carers learn how to reduce the stress that can come with intensive caring responsibilities. They’ve produced a video, ‘Caring for the Carers’ and been featured in the UK’s ‘Guardian’ newspaper.

On the Urban Retreat itself - in which 146 people are participating - they say “you decide what commitments to take up while going about your usual routine. We will support your efforts by opening the Centre for morning meditation, hosting special classes, and sending you daily text messages and audio downloads. We start with a day retreat in which the new shrine room painting will be unveiled, and we finish with a day retreat and then Sangha day.

“In the evenings there will be free classes all week, including newcomers’ meditation classes from 7.15 to 8.15pm, followed at 8.30pm by a series of very special events celebrating the people and positivity of the LBC.
“We want everyone who comes to the LBC to attend this year’s 30th anniversary Urban Retreat – so the week is free of charge for all".

More details of the retreat - and Breathing Space - are available on the LBC's website.

Breaking News - next June FWBO centres across the world will running an International Urban Retreat to which all members of the whole FWBO Sangha are invited. The dates are June 20-27th; watch this space for more details…

There’s an introduction to the theory and practice of Urban Retreats- as developed by the FWBO’s Sheffield Buddhist Centre - on FWBO Resources here.