Manjusvara - Three Poems and a Funeral

July 6th saw Triratna’s Bristol sangha celebrating the funeral of Manjusvara, who died leading a retreat at Dhanakosa. Kamalamani has sent us an account of the day, and we’ve discovered three poems by Manjusvara in the latest edition of the Bristol Buddhist Centre’s on-line newsletter, which we reproduce below. Bristol’s Newsletter contains a moving ‘Rejoicing In Manjusvara’ by Ananda, his friend and colleague for many many years, during which he describes his friend as “the most generous person I ever knew”. Click here to read it.

Kamalamani writes -

“Manjusvara's funeral at Bristol Buddhist Centre was a very rich and fitting celebration of a life well lived. It marked beautifully the moving on of Manjusvara from his current life as a Dharma farer, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, ex-husband, lover, musician, poet, writer, fundraiser and world traveller. The funeral services were co-ordinated and led with immense love and care by Harshaprabha, Saddhanandi and Taravajra, following Manjusvara's wishes. There were rejoicings and remembrances from his family and friends (his brother: John Keefe, Meg Moginot, John Crown and Mario Cavalli, John Bloss, Manjuvajra and Samayasri), from poet and 'Wolf at the Door' friends (Dhivan, Larry Butler, Varasahaya), from friends at the Karuna Trust (Jayaraja and Amalavajra), from India (from Padmadhara read by Silajala), and from Bristol sangha friends (Satyalila, Suhada and Jvalamalini). In recent months Achintya has been creating a digital archive of poems by Manjusvara and Ananda, so we were fortunate to hear recordings of Manjusvara read some of those poems - it was incredibly poignant to once again hear his voice.

“The funeral was followed by a smaller service at the North Bristol crematorium with eulogies starting with a pre-Buddhist friend Stephen Hewitt, then his brother John, followed by another 'Scouting friend', Keith, then Harshaprabha and Ananda. Keith named how Manjusvara's funeral was a meeting of 'two gangs': his Buddhist 'gang' and his 'gang' of family and friends, and how moved he was to witness the love and respect for Manjusvara from his Buddhist 'gang' and his considerable achievements as a poet, writer, and fundraiser. The services were followed by feasting and an afternoon of spontaneous offerings for Manjusvara in the form of words, poems, songs and music.

“There was a recurring theme throughout Manjusvara's funeral: that he was a kind and encouraging man who gave so much in the different facets of his life and never wasted a moment. Whilst the funeral physically took place in Bristol, it felt to be an international celebration of him and his life. Indeed, several services and rituals have been held in his honour and memory from the UK to India since his death. The love and respect for Manjusvara was reflected in the diverse richness, love, humour and sobriety of his funeral service. The love of his friends in the local sangha was reflected in the responsiveness of so many Bristol friends in making the practical arrangements, skilfully woven together by Satyalila with the support of Jvalamalini and the centre team.

“In drawing this to a close I am reminded of a line from Manjusvara's poem, 'Writing Poetry at Edinburgh Airport': 'there is only one human story: it ends in leaving'. Whilst still absorbing the shock of the swiftness with which Manjusvara's left this life, we are also fortunate to witness his legacy of connection, kindness, boundless creativity, integrity, magical mischief, and love. May all blessings be yours, Manjusvara, as you journey into the next chapter of your human story”.

Three poems by Manjusvara -

Ghazal – Buddha

Even if we can’t see it,
we bow down in our own perfection.
The world is this mirror: our constant
re-telling of the image before us.
Time only serves the lament of the world.
There can be no shadow without the lust for shadow.
Fire placed on the highest ground. A golden thread
of sympathy connecting us through all darkness.
Surely this is reason enough to smile?
Trust in our goal; let things happen as they should.


Touching On My History

There's a room in my house
where an eagle flies
I hear its wings beating against the walls.
It has the smell of blood on its breath,
that seeps under the doorway.
I go months, even years,
trying not to think about that room.
But the eagle never forgets:
It has set me in its perfect vision.
It knows one day we will meet.
And whether I am ready or not,
it will be ready;
it will be there waiting to take me


Writing Poetry at Edinburgh Airport

Li Po said: 'To read poetry is to be alive twice.’
At the airport it is easier to see how everyone is equal.
There is only one human story: it ends in leaving

Friends in the Bristol sangha have created a blog in honour of Manjusvara, with photographs of his life, accounts of the funeral, his ordination, his Karuna and Wolf at the Door work, and more. It’s at manjusvara.blogspot.com

A death in the Order

Manjusvara

Nayaka writes from Dhanakosa, Triratna’s retreat centre in the north of Scotland, with the sad news of the death of Manjusvara, at Dhanakosa co-leading a fully-booked Wolf at the Door retreat with his colleague Ananda. This was following a serious stroke he suffered on Monday evening. Nayaka says -

“Dear Friends, I am sorry to have to inform you that Manjusvara passed away at 3.30 this afternoon. His brother was with him. The family have been very respectful of Manjusvara’s Buddhism and are intending to involve the Bristol Buddhist Centre in Funeral arrangements but have asked that in the meantime we do not contact them, but wait for them to contact us through the Order members they are already in contact with.

“With Metta, Nayaka.

Manjusvara was a much-loved poet, author of The Poet's Way, veteran fundraiser and mentor to many generations of Karuna fundraisers, and co-founder of Wolf at the Door, created with his friend Ananda to “to bring the wildness of imagination into our everyday lives”. He will be much missed.

Twelve women ordained in Spain

Parami  writes from Akasavana, Triratna’s ordination retreat centre for women in Spain, to say - “The Public Preceptors are pleased to announce that the following women were publicly ordained on Saturday 4th June 2011 in Akashavana:

Jo Bennet becomes Lokadhi, a Sanskrit name meaning "she who is wise about the world" (bar over the "i", westernised spelling Lokadhi); Private Preceptor Dhammadassin.

Juliette Durance becomes Sukamala. A Sanskrit name meaning "a beautiful or excellent lotus flower" (Westernised spelling Sukamala); Private Preceptor Kalyanasri.
 The Public Preceptor for these was Ratnadharini.

Karenza Fullerton becomes Bhadrakari. A Sanskrit (and Pali) name meaning "she who creates auspiciousness" (bar over the last "a" and the "i", westernised spelling Bhadrakari); Private Preceptor Dharmanandi.

Yvonne Greenaway becomes Kulajalini. A Sanskrit name meaning "she who is equipped with the net of community" (bar over last "a" and the "i", westernised spelling Kulajalini); Private Preceptor Samachitta.

Tricia Leggat becomes Amlanadhi. A Sanskrit name meaning "she who has bright, unclouded wisdom" (bar over the second "a" and the "i", westernised spelling Amlanadhi); Private Preceptor Dhammadassin.

Ann Dennehey becomes Dayamudra. A Sanskrit name meaning "gesture of compassion" (bar over the second and the last "a", westernised spelling Dayamudra); Private Preceptor Viveka.

Val Blomfield becomes Vijayadipa. A Sanskrit name meaning "she whose light is victory" (bar over the last "i" and the last "a", westernised spelling Vijayadipa); Private Preceptor Srivati.

The  Public Preceptor for these was Parami.

Judith Tomlinson becomes Acarasraddha. A Sanskrit name meaning "she whose shraddha is immovable" (an accent over the "s" and bar over the last "a", westernised spelling Acharashraddha); Private Preceptor Parami.

Lis Whitelaw becomes Danasamudra. A Sanskrit name meaning "she who has an ocean of generosity" (bar over the first and last "a", westernised spelling Danasamudra); Private Preceptor Parami.
The Public Preceptor for these was Vajragita.

Mieke Philips becomes Satyapara. A Sanskrit name meaning "she who is absorbed in, solely devoted to Truth" (bar over the last "a", westernised spelling Satyapara); Private Preceptor Akasasuri, an dPublic Preceptor Padmasuri.

Claudia McLoughlin becomes Akasadevi. A Sanskrit name meaning "goddess of infinite space" (bar over the first and second "a" and the "i" and an accent over the "s", westernised spelling Akashadevi); Private Preceptor Subhadramati.

Susanne Burtsche becomes Utpalacitta. A Sanskrit name meaning "she whose heart / mind is like a blue lotus" (bar over the last "a", westernised spelling Utpalachitta); Private Preceptor Kulanandi.

The Public Preceptor for these was Maitreyi.

“Please note that, in order to avoid confusion and inaccuracy, the Sanskritists who check our names point out that the westernised spelling of the name should be used where it is not possible to indicate all the diacritical marks required in the proper Sanskrit / Pali spelling.

“With metta,  Parami.

Two further batches of ordinations are expected soon, of men currently on retreat at Guhyaloka and at Bhaja retreat centre in India.

SADHU!

Two deaths in the Order - correction

Vijayatara from London

There have been two recent deaths in the Order. From London, Dhammadinna writes with news of Vijayatara, saying “Dear friends, this is to let you know that our dear friend, Vijayatara, died at about 8.45 a.m. Sunday morning, in St. Joseph's Hospice, London. Savi, her long time partner, and Savi's sister Rohini and a nurse were with her. I arrived just after the last breath. Later other friends arrived and also Atula, Santva, and Muditasri. We were allowed to be with her for about four hours, and read to her from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, recited a three-fold puja - which she loved - chanted the Tara mantra and the blessings. Later I chanted the Vajrasattva Mantra with her. With love, Dhammadinna”

Vijayatara was 49 when she died. She was associated with the London Buddhist Centre and was ordained in August 2003 at Tiratanaloka; her private preceptor was Dhammadinna and her public preceptor Ratnadharini. The practice she took at ordination was Green Tara. Munisha adds - “Here is a link to a talk on Videosangha which  Vijayatara gave to the women's National order Weekend last December, in which she shares her reflections on her Order chapter in London. May she be well and happy. With love, Munisha”

Khemapala from Auckland

And from Auckland New Zealand, Purna writes - “It is with sadness that I am letting you know Dharmachari Khemapala died on Saturday 12 March at 3:10 pm local time. Nityajyoti was able to be with him as he passed away, as were Khemapala’s sister Sandra, his son Ari and his daughter Rochelle. There will be a funeral service at the Chandrakirti Buddhist Meditation Centre near Nelson in New Zealand, on Tuesday 15 March followed by a cremation. I received a lot of emails from Order members expressing their best wishes, love for and appreciation of Khemapala. Unfortunately we were not able to pass these on while he was still conscious. I read the names of all these Order members to Nityajyoti who has written them into a book of condolences for Khemapala’s family. With metta, Purna”

Khemapala was ordained by Sangharakshita in 1982 and took the Amitabha sadhana. Our apologies for wrongly stating yesterday that Khemapala was ordained in 1975 and took the Green Tara sadhana.

Names for 15 women recently ordained in India

We’re finally able to bring Triratna News readers the names of the following 15 women ordained at Bordharan Retreat Centre, central India on Sunday 9 January 2011. Their ordinations brought the number of Indian women ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order over the 100 mark for the first time - to a total of 103!

Nirmala Jadhav from south-west Nagpur becomes Amalachandra – She who has the moon of purity and peace.

Sunita Patil from south-west Nagpur becomes Jayachandra - She who has the moon of victory.

Tarabai Lohkar from Hinganghat (first Dhammacharini from there) becomes Sanghasakhi - She who is the friend of the Sangha.

Chaya Tamgadge from Yavatmal becomes Samyaka - She who is trying to be perfect (one of the first two Dhammacharinis from here).

Nanda Meshram from Wardha becomes Dipamala - She who has a line of lamps - her light is very powerful.

Jaya Mhatre from Yavatmal becomes Jayakirti - She who has a famous victory (one of the first two Dhammacharinis from here).

Jnanasuri was the Private Preceptor for all the above.

Vaishali Wasnik from north Nagpur becomes Vidyadharini – She who keeps in mind the understanding of the wisdom of the Buddhadhamma.

Nina Uke from north Nagpur becomes Kalyanadharini - She who keeps in mind the beauty of the Dhamma life - especially friendship.

Sunita Ramteke from north Nagpur becomes Sugatadharini - She who keeps in mind the Sugata (the Buddha).

Vajrasuri was the Private Preceptor for all the above.

Vaishali Patil from north Nagpur becomes Bodhimodani - She who delights in Awakening

Dwarka Tembhurne from Phulgaon becomes Buddhadassini (Pali) - She who has the vision of the Buddha.

Shobha Gedam from north Nagpur becomes Danaratna - She who has the jewel of generosity.

Ratnamala Tembhurniker from north Nagpur becomes Jnanavajri - She who has the Diamond/Thunderbolt of wisdom.

Chandha Chinchkhede from north Nagpur becomes Suddhahadaya (Pali) - She who has a pure heart.

Mala Jawade from Wardha becomes Vidyadarshini - She who has wise vision.

Karunamaya (shown left) was the Private Preceptor for all the above, also functioning as the Public Preceptor for all the new order members.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

A death in the Order

Manjupriya writes from Brazil, saying “Dear Bhante, brothers and sisters in the Order, early this morning (Saturday January 15th) Dharmachari Sanghadarshin died at the hospital he had been admitted to over a month ago. His daughter called with the news. He was 90, and ordained by Moksananda in 2006. I will go to Rio today.

“Yours in the order, Manjupriya"

This is a painting of him Moksananda did about 3 years ago. He says “It's not great, but I think he liked it”

Forthcoming Ordination in Finland

Triratna News is delighted to announce that the first ordination of 2011 will be Marita Salminen, from Finland.  She  will be privately ordained by Bodhishri on Thursday 6th January at 5pm, in the context of a puja during a retreat at Abhayaloka Retreat Centre in Finland.

Her public ordination ceremony will be conducted by Ratnadharini at the Helsinki Buddhist Centre on Sunday 9th January at 6pm - all are welcome.

Sadhu!

Death of Dharmacharini Vidyajyoti

Prajnadevi writes from London to say -

"Dear brothers and sisters in the Dharma, Vidyajyoti died peacefully on 21 December 2010 at 4.23pm GMT. Her dear friends James and Sita were by her side.  Friends gathered around her after her passing and we recited the Heart Sutra and chanted the Vajrasattva mantra.

"The cremation will be held with a small gathering of friends. A memorial service to celebrate her life and rejoice in her will take place at a later date in January at the London Buddhist Centre.  Details to follow.

Yours in the Dharma"

Vidyajyoti was ordained in 2000, when she was given her name, meaning 'She who has the light or fire of learning or aesthetic appreciation'.

new Dharma talks now on-line: India, Poetry, Sangharakshita...

A multitude of new Dharma talks are now on-line following the celebrations of Sangharakshita’s  85^th birthday on the recent Triratna European Order Weekend at Wymondham College in Norfolk .  Mahamati, Triratna’s International Order Convenor,  writes to say - “There were more than 400 Order Members present, and the sun shined for the most of the weekend (the rain kindly keeping itself to night-times).  Links in the text below are to VideoSangha; they are also available in audio-only form over at FreeBuddhistAudio.

“The Order Weekend was introduced and led by Vajragita from Amsterdam together with Vajranatha from Valencia.  On Saturday morning we enjoyed a symposium of four talks based on Bhante's poem "Four Gifts"  - Jnanakumara, Kavyasiddhi, Jayagita, and Abhaya taking a verse each, with a half hour reply by Sangharakshita himself.

Four Gifts

I come to you with four gifts.

The first gift is a lotus-flower.

Do you understand?

My second gift is a golden net.

Can you recognize it?

My third gift is a shepherds’ round-dance.

Do your feet know how to dance?

My fourth gift is a garden planted in a wilderness.

Could you work there?

I come to you with four gifts.

Dare you accept them?

“This was followed by a celebration of Sangharakshita's 85th Birthday, with three ‘rejoicings’ by three European Order Members - Paramachitta from spain; Lalitaratna from Germany; and Akasasuri from Holland.   

“In the afternoon Subhuti reflected on his recent conversations with Bhante which gave rise to his recent article: "Revering and Relying upon the Dharma: Sangharakshita's approach to Right View".

“Sunday saw the launch of the India Dharma Trust with a great talk by Lokeshvara, followed by the Order Metta practice and collective shrine-room practice including the 1,000-armed Avalokitesvara Sadhana and the Guru Yoga.  

Other features included a second talk by Subhuti on 'The Order in North India'  with his account of the recent North Indian Order Convention (held at the Osho Cactus Nursery near Delhi!), an Art Exhibition, and of course the usual delight and magic of seeing friends, the newly ordained and meeting in large numbers!

“If you were not present here's a chance to watch or listen to the talks - or if you were there you may like to do so again.

Best wishes, Mahamati and the Triratna Order Office team

grattis på födelsedagen! happy birthday bhante!

Today - August 26th - marks Sangharakshita’s 85th birthday - and we’d like to say Happy Birthday Bhante! Or “Grattis på Födelsedagen” as they’d say in Sweden...

Sangharakshita’s Facebook page has been busy today with well-wishers from around the Triratna world - Sangharakshita himself is at home in Birmingham, having attended the recent Order Weekend at Wymondham College in Norfolk UK.

Meanwhile, tonight at the London Buddhist Centre - and at many other Triratna Centres around the world - they’ll be celebrating the eighth in a series of 108 annual pujas to mark Sangharakshita's life and work. This annual event was launched at the 2003 Order Convention, where participating Centres took possession of special boxes each containing fine cloths, 108 sticks of incense, candles which will burn for 108 hours, a signed photograph of Bhante and a log book with 108 pages to record those present each year. The items in the boxes were blessed by Bhante, who also signed a photograph for each. Each Centre has a precious supply of incense and other ritual items that have a direct spiritual and physical connection with Bhante himself.

Mokshapriya, who launched the event in 2003, comments - “This particular living thread may well be increasingly treasured by each Centre's sangha through the years. We should not underestimate how important it is to find links between the future members of the sangha and Bhante. It has been our great fortune to live in his time and have had some direct connection with him but perhaps we have a responsibility to think of those to come who won't have any such direct connection and imagine how we might enrich their spiritual lives through our forethought and the establishment of such a special festival as this one. It will also provide a thread of continuity in each Centre's sangha whilst the log book will bear witness to impermanence and change.”

We’re also produced new video of members of the Triratna Buddhist Order chanting the White Tara mantra for Sangharakshita’s long life, recorded during the 2009 Order convention. You’ll find it in the embedded player below or on-line at www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82Wv10l7UU

Western Buddhist Order becomes Triratna Buddhist Order

In January FWBO News carried a story announcing Sangharakshita had suggested a change of name to the Order and Movement, and that he had asked the Order and Movement to adopt the new names of the Triratna Buddhist Order and the Triratna Buddhist Community respectively.

Parami and Mahamati, the two International Order Convenors, have now written with confirmation that the Order has adopted Sangharakshita’s suggestion, and officially became the Triratna Buddhist Order on April 7th, the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the Order. They say “This means that we can celebrate the founding of the Western Buddhist Order and the renaming to the Triratna Buddhist Order on the same day now and in the future”.

The Movement is expected to follow suit, and indeed a ceremony to mark the adoption of the name “Triratna Buddhist Community” is being planned for the International Retreat at the end of May - watch this space for more details.

Mahamati and Parami continue with a couple of specific requests from Sangharakshita, saying -

“In India there is no suitable exact translation into modern Indian languages for the term “community”. So that the names in India will match the rest of the world as closely as possible, and after considering several possibilities that were suggested to him from India, Bhante has decided on Triratna Bauddha Sangha for the Order and Triratna Bauddha Mahasangha for the movement. Also Bhante has asked that we don’t use initials (e.g. TBO and TBC in English) but use Triratna when referring to the Order and Community”.

Triratna means "Three Jewels", specifically the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, which are the central foci of a Buddhist's life and practice. They've long been represented in our logo and on the kesas worn by Order Members, we're delighted that our name will now reflect them as well.

Abhayaratna Trust launches, makes first awards to Order Members in need

Jnanamitra writes with news of the launch of a new Trust, the first dedicated to helping Order Members in the face of sickness, old age or disability.  It’s called the Abhayaratna Trust, and she says -

“What would your life be like if the Buddhist Centre where you first learned to meditate wasn’t there, or the retreat centre had not been started?

“The Buddhist Centres of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, (likely soon to be renamed the Triratna Buddhist Community), only exist because of the dedicated hard work of pioneering Order Members.  Many of these people lived on low levels of support while they gave themselves to pioneering the places that we now use and enjoy.

“It is important to us that the members of the Western Buddhist Order (likely soon to be renamed the Triratna Buddhist Order), are cared for in their older years, especially as many of them will not have any pension.  We can play a role in supporting their spiritual lives into active old age.

“A new Trust has been established, the Abhayaratna Trust.  It’s the first Western Buddhist Order/Triratna Buddhist Order benevolent fund.  We’re inviting members of the Sangha to include it in their Wills - any legacies received will go toward the needs of older members of the Order.  This is a way of leaving money to the Western Buddhist Order, leaving money to the Triratna Buddhist Order, and knowing that it will be well used.

The new Trust, which has been specifically created for this purpose, will ensure that your money goes quickly to help older Order members lead active spiritual lives, so that they are looked after.

“The new Trust is named after the first Buddhist Order Member to leave a legacy for the benefit of the Order, Dharmachari Abhayaratna.  His name means Fearless Jewel – Abhaya means fearless, and Ratna means Jewel – now part of the new name for the Order, Triratna, Three Jewels.

“Facing death involves fearlessness; he was a jewel in the Order, and left his legacy to the Order he loved.

“Here’s a way to express your gratitude at being able to use the Buddhist Centres and Retreat Centres that older members of the Order have created. 

To make a contribution now, or to find out how to include the Trust in your Will, click on the website link below.

www.westernbuddhistorder.org/abhayaratnatrust

“In December the Trust gave away the first grants, 11 Order members benefitted, most from the UK but two from further afield, and a grant was given to the Order in India.

“The Trust is now set up to give away grants to individual order members in need, and with more money from regular donations and from legacies more people will be helped.

“Dharmacharini Jnanamitra

Secretary, the Abhayaratna Trust

March 2010  

A Death in the Order

Akasasuri writes from Holland with news of the death of Vajrayogini, one of the Order's oldest members.  She says -

"Dear friends,

"Vajrayogini died on the morning of Monday February 8th, at home very peacefully, without illness or pain, with two nurses present.  At the age of nearly 94, her life came naturally to an end. The last two days she had difficulties recognizing people.  The funeral was on Friday 12 February at 2pm in Rotterdam, Holland.

"She was ready to die. Last Thursday when I asked her whether there was anything she still wanted, she said to me: 'It's been enough. Life is very tiring these days. I'm going to the Buddha'. When I asked her whether she thought we would meet again (we've known each other closely for 24 years) she said: 'Of course'! She said it in English, despite not having spoken English for years!

"Vajrayogini came into contact with the Order and movement through Vajradaka, whom she met in the context of a psychosynthesis weekend in the UK in the early seventies. She started the first FWBO retreats in Holland around that time supported by various Order members from the UK and Sangharakshita.

"Vajrayogini was ordained 35 years ago and at her ordination she received the Gate Gate mantra from Bhante.
Her main meditation practice all those years has been the mettabhavana. Over the last ten years or so the Abhaya mudra of Amoghasiddhi had also become a 'constant' companion for her, giving her faith and trust that in the end 'all will be well'.

"She had a long and eventful life, with strong dakini-like qualities (not surprisingly with a name like hers!) which she used very skillfully in her work as a Gestalt and Psychosynthesis therapist. She stopped working and leading a yearly retreat at the age of 84! Even then she carried on with a meditation group at her home.

"She had great faith and trust in Bhante Sangharakshita. And I've been moved several times by their connection and friendship. Though she wasn't involved in the institutions and life of the Order and movement very much, she showed her loyalty and commitment in other ways. She was extremely generous to 3 retreat centre projects (Guyhaloka, Akashavana, Metta Vihara), donating large sums of money to them. She also gave financial support to quite a few Order members so that they could spend their time spreading the Dharma.

"May she be well and happy.
"Akasasuri

FWBO People gets a makeover

FWBO People is a website listing over 200 personal websites of Order Members, Mitras, and Friends up and down the FWBO - and the AOBO, VWBO, BBBD, and TBMSG - as the Movement is known in various countries worldwide.

It was created some three years ago by Jayarava and during 20009 has been managed by Lokabandhu of the FWBO Development Team.

Now, thanks to the technical expertise of Dridhamati, it’s had a makeover, and we’re proud to present the new improved version. There’s more people, fewer screens to scroll through, and - most importantly - a ‘snap’ function that lets you preview each site before clicking on it...

You’ll find it at www.people.fwbo.org.

If you’re an Order Member, Mitra, or Friend, have a personal website, and would like it to be included, please write to us at people@fwbo.org. It doesn’t have to be a ‘Buddhist’ site - blogs, photo collections, YouTube videos - all are welcome...

Resignations from the Western Buddhist Order

The past six months have seen seven resignations from the Western Buddhist Order:

Achalavajra from Abingdon, near Oxford UK, and ordained in 1989;
Amaradeva from Somerville Massachusetts in the US, ordained in 2003.
Karunadrishti from Berlin, ordained in 2005;
Kuladeva from London, ordained in 1977;
Manjudaaka from Finland, ordained in 1998;
Prajnacitta from the Netherlands, ordained in 2005; and finally
Vipassi from Liverpool, ordained in 1989;

After some discussion, it has been decided the best way to report resignations from the Order is in a similar way to ordinations, ie in batches, and without giving details of individual circumstances.

FWBO News wishes all of them well as they continue their spiritual journeys in other contexts.

A Death in the Order

Maitreyaraja, Centre Manager at the London Buddhist Centre, writes with news of a death in the Order. He says -

“Dear Dharmachari/ini,

“I am writing to let you know that Aryamitra died on Wednesday morning the 9th of December at around 6am. Nityabodha led a ritual for him in the Breathing Space shrine room at the London Buddhist Centre the same evening at 9.45pm.

“Aryamitra was ordained in 1974 and was aged 61.

“Details about Aryamitra’s funeral will be sent around in due time.

“In the Dharma,
“Maitreyaraja.

FWBO News adds -

Aryamitra contributed to the life of the Order and the Movement in many ways. To mention
just a few things: in the late seventies he was involved in establishing the FWBO Printing
Service at Aryatara in Croydon with Mangala. In the eighties he left Glasgow and went alone
to set up the Leeds Buddhist Centre. In the nineties he was involved with the Ordination team
at Padmaloka for a while and became part of the process of helping men to prepare for
ordination. In 1995 it was discovered that he had a brain-tumour. The tumour was removed
and after recovering Aryamitra moved to London. At the London Buddhist Centre he led
meditation courses and retreats, and for many years regularly led lunchtime classes.

Some statistics on the Western Buddhist Order...

In 2007 the first comprehensive Survey was carried out of the 1,400 members of the Western Buddhist Order.

 This has now been updated and a selection of charts are posted below, examining the growth of the Order (now 1,600 and counting); its gender balance and how this has changed over the past 30 years; its age profile; and finally the absolute numbers of men and women being ordained.

Noteworthy are the continuing decline in younger Order Members (ie those below 40) and the dramatic expansion of the over-60s, also the steady trend towards equality in the numbers of men and women in the Order.

The Western Buddhist Order has always offered the same ordination on equal terms to both men and women, and has always had a policy of women deciding on the ordinations of women (and men on the ordinations of men).  This has not however meant there have always been equal numbers of men and women in the Order: the second chart shows a striking progression in the gender ratio over the past 30 years, from a peak imbalance of  over 5 men to every women, to the present ratio of 1.5:1 (or three men to two women) - with a marked trend towards parity.

The full results from 2007 are on-line at www.freebuddhistaudio.com/ordersurvey

The age chart especially will be slightly inaccurate due to the facts that (a) it has not been possible to incorporate resigned Order Members; happily there have been relatively few of these over the years; and (b) a number of newly-ordained Order Members are not included in the age profile as we do not yet have their dates of birth.

 This means the numbers of younger Order Members is likely to be slightly understated - there are at least a couple in their twenties, while the chart says zero.

The final chart shows the absolute numbers per year of men and women's ordinations into the Order.  This naturally jumps about as individuals become ready, but the dotted lines show trendlines for each, and a clear growth in the numbers of women joining the Order each year.

Four women ordained in Spain

Four women were welcomed into the Western Buddhist Order on Tuesday 27th October 2009 at Akashavana, the WBO’s Women’s retreat centre in the Spanish mountains.


Gillian Enlund becomes Aryashila (long first and last 'a', and long 'i'): 'She who has noble conduct or character'. (Private Preceptor: Vijayasri)


Beverley Ellis becomes Jayakara (long second and last 'a'): 'She who has a multitude, or mine, of victories'. (Private Preceptor: Paramachitta)


Seg Gaskill becomes Chandrika (long final 'a'): 'She who has the moon / moonlight' (poetic description: 'she who resembles moonlight; who sheds light on things'). (Private Preceptor: Parami)


Georgie Reiser becomes Sanghamani: 'She who is a jewel (lodestone) of the Sangha' as well as 'she to whom the Sangha is a jewel'. (Private Preceptor: Kalyanasri)


Ratnadharini and Parami were the Public Preceptors


SADHU!


Those interested in statistics might like to know that women’s ordinations into the Western Buddhist Order (outside India) have out-numbered men’s for four of the past five years, 2005-2009. On Sunday we’ll publish some statistics illustrating this and other demographic trends in the Order.

First Funding Allocation for the Abhayaratna Trust: Seeking to help Order Members in need

We're pleased to pass on important information regarding a significant new development in the Western Buddhist Order: the launch of the Abhayaratna Trust and their first big 'give-away'.

The Abhayaratna Trust aims to relieve financial hardship among members of the Western Buddhist Order, particularly in the face of sickness, old age or disability. Their vision is to contribute to a long and vibrant life of spiritual practice for members of the Western Buddhist Order, especially in the face of old age, sickness and disability and the isolation that can bring; to be a means for Order Members to support each other where help is most needed.

Over the past couple of years they've been thinking though how best to help, and they're just about ready to go. Read on for details of their first funding allocation...

- FINAL NOTICE of -

* The ABHAYARATNA TRUST's * FIRST FUNDING ALLOCATION *

---------- Seeking to help Order Members in need ----------

£3000 to be given away at allocation meetings in December

~ Extended DEADLINE  ~

Applications are invited by Saturday OCTOBER 31st

GRANTS will be given to individual Order members to meet needs due to hardship arising out of old age, sickness or disability that are unable to be met by Local Authorities, Charities or Sangha friends. For example, we are keen to help you go on retreat, get to an Order weekend or solitary.

Our VISION is to contribute to a long and vibrant life of spiritual practice for members of the Western Buddhist Order; to be a means for Order Members to support each other where help is most needed.

To APPLY please write or email to:-

The Secretary

The Abhayaratna Trust, 7 Edward Close, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 4BE, UK

email:- jnanamitra.emmett@homecall.co.uk

www.westernbuddhistorder.org/abhayaratnatrust

Applicants can apply on behalf of a friend.

P.S. We also invite all readers to MAKE A BEQUEST in your WILL and also think of giving by regular donation. Help more Order Members to have a long life in the Order.  Details on Application.

FWBO People lists 199 practitioners - more welcome!

FWBO People www.people.fwbo.org is a ‘portal’ website dedicated to showcasing the talents and interests of some of the thousands of individual people who make the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order a living spiritual community.

Specifically, it lists their personal websites, blogs, photo collections and more. A significant number, especially members of the Western Buddhist Order, have also added personal ‘profiles’, giving short accounts of the spiritual journey that led them to join the Order.

The site has just chalked up its 199th member! That seemed a good opportunity to advertise the site and appeal for more members. All we’d ask is that you consider yourself a member of the FWBO - and you like to share your website with others in the Sangha.

To have your site listed, please email people@fwbo.org.