Inauguration of Dhammavijay Retreat Centre in India

Jnanaratna writes with news of the upcoming inauguration of Dhammavijay, the new Triratna retreat centre located on the border of the Melghat Tiger Reserve some 100 miles west of Nagpur. He’s an Indian member of the Triratna Buddhist Order based in nearby Amaravati, and says -

“Dear Brothers / Sisters, We invite you to attend the auspicious occasion of the opening ceremony of our Dhammavijay Retreat Center. The first phase of the work was completed and Dhammachari Chandrasheel will perform the Inauguration with chief guest Mr. Dinesh Khonde. Our president Dhammachari Manayu will preside and the date is 23rd March 2011 at 3pm.

“The Venue is the Dhammavijay Retreat Center, at Bihali, Chikhaldara, Amravati, Maharashtra, India”.

There’s photographs of the project and construction work available on Flickr; and their fundraising page is still welcoming donations at www.justgiving.com/achalbhumivihara

Achalabhumi joins Bhaja, Bor Dharan, and the Urgyen Sangharakshita Meditation Centre, the Triratna Buddhist Community's three other retreat centres in India.

Sadhu!

News from the Sangharakshita Land Project

Following Wednesday’s post on Buddhafield’s new Forest Garden project, Moksapriya writes with an update on Triratna’s major Sangharakshita Land Project, where the search for land in the UK continues - a 300-acre centre for Triratna for decades to come, including a new home for Sangharakshita and a complex of retreat centres, communities, solitary retreat facilities and more. Pointing people to the Sangharakshita Land Project blog, he says -

“I thought it might be helpful to attempt to answer some suggested questions in a list. No doubt some of my answers are inadequate. There are certainly elements of this project that are clearly ‘work in progress’ and only as more and more people get involved to help develop the vision and help work through the countless challenges will more answers be found.

"Personally I do not believe we should try to have this project all neatly sewn up before we even have a site. It is a new venture with new obstacles to be overcome as it unfolds. Having said that we need to be confident that it is achievable and exploring searching questions are essential. Other questions, other answers and fresh ideas are always very welcome. I hope this helps you engage more deeply with the project.

Another entry on the SLP blog, entitled ‘We_were_getting_close_but...’, recounts their recently-abandoned pursuit of a property in Staffordshire, where after a couple of months excitement, lack of cooperation from local planners led them to conclude it was best to move on and look elsewhere.

Finally he recounts some conversations with Sangharakshita exploring their vision for the accommodation and gardens they seek to create. He says - “I had the great pleasure of meeting with Bhante today. I wanted to clarify what he himself wanted in terms of accommodation and explained that we were determined that his move would be a stress free and seamless as was humanly possible. In fact I thought we might recreate his exact current floor plan in the new location to make life easier for him. However he made it clear that this was not necessary. He asked for his rooms to be all on the ground floor and wondered whether he might have a kitchen space big enough to eat in rather than have to eat in his sitting room as at present.

“But most interestingly he said that he did not want to take many of the things in the flat with him as he wants a simpler life. He wants to be free of the clutter and a move to a new abode will enable him to have a space free of clutter and a simpler environment. As he's not writing now he doesn't want most of his books around him and many of his Buddhist images can be rehoused in the 'library'.

“There are many reasons why we need the Sangharakshita Land Project but perhaps creating an abode for Bhante that really suits him for this phase of his life would be reason enough.

Creating A Garden for Bhante

Sangharakshita in the Madhyamaloka gardens

“One of the finest aspects of Madhyamaloka is the beautiful garden masterfully created by Sanghadeva over many years. It is enjoyed by all who visit but particularly by Bhante as he takes his daily walks amongst the delightful flower gardens.

“Now it occurs to me that if we do find land this year and if we hope to create a new abode for Bhante and his support community next year we will also need to create his garden. We will want to create a garden at least as big as the current Madhyamaloka garden so that Bhante will have a beautiful space to explore as he takes his exercise.

“Plants cost money, especially well developed specimens, so here's an idea. I want as many folk as possible to contribute plants for Bhante's garden. Perhaps you could start growing plants now especially for him - as many as you like. Then when the time comes we'll collect all the plants and have a grand time laying out the gardens and planting them up. We'll need a lot of plants so no need to be cautious and we'll be looking for big bushes and trees as well as small plants. We'll hope for some plants that are particularly good for partially sighted folk given Bhante's eyesight difficulties.

“Perhaps you could let me know if you plan to contribute in some way so that when the time approaches I can let Sanghadeva have some idea of what plants he might be working with.

Would you like to work on the project?
“Finding the land might take years or we might find it next week. Once we have it we will want to get moving. Over the last few months a number of people have made contact with me expressing an interest or offering their skills. That has been a fantastic boost and has helped the vision take shape.

“Now I want to start creating a number of lists of interested people with particular skills and experience as well as people who might be unskilled but keen to work on the project. So, bearing in mind that this is just in case we do find land in the next few months, if you might be interested in helping and fit into one of the categories below please email me with some details (facts and figures about yourself as well as contact details). I will then keep you in touch with developments by e-mail and you'll at least have the option of getting practically involved if you so wish when the time comes. Please pass this request on to others in the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community that you think might be interested.

“We’re looking for - Architects, Landscape Architects, Designers, Structural Engineers, Land Managers, Building Trades, Alternative Energy Engineers, Sustainability Project, Designers, Artists, Gardeners, Outdoor Event Managers, Self-funded able-bodied Workers, Able-bodied Workers - and more!”

Moksapriya

Big Lottery grant for Buddhafield for Forest Garden project

Hannah Phillips, part of the core team at Triratna’s Buddhafield project, writes with news of their latest project - creating a Forest Garden on their land at Broadhembury in Devon UK. She says -

“I'm very happy to announce that Buddhafield has been awarded £10,000 by the Big Lottery Fund Awards For All and I'm not ashamed to admit to shedding a tear (or two!) when I opened the offer letter.

approaching Buddhafield's land at Broiadhembury

“The grant is specifically to create and develop a woodland walkway and a forest garden project at Broadhembury, one of the two pieces of land that Buddhafield owns in Devon. More details on the land are on the Buddhafield website.

"A Forest Garden is a way of planting that mimics young natural woodland. It is developing as an alternative means for producing food and as a method to restore bio diversity. The plants in a forest garden are all of use, directly for food, medicine, basketry, dye and indirectly for bees and nitrogen fixing. A forest garden requires very little upkeep, with the plants and shrubs working together to create the need for minimal human intervention. The woodland walkway will provide access through mature woodland that is best left unmanaged for nature conservation. It will create a nature trail through otherwise impenetrable, marshy land. Rupadarshin, Buddhafield's craftsman extraordinaire will design and build a simple, low impact pathway, using alder and oak, relying on a method used on the Somerset levels 3,000 years ago.

“The grant is based on us holding an event on the land next winter, for a week, with anyone who would like to come and help us very welcome. We are approaching the event from the angle of the 'Green Gym' movement where good mental health has been proven to be supported and encouraged by exercising and working outside. It will be free for volunteers and we're currently researching warm and snuggly places to stay nearby for those who don't fancy sleeping in tents. The funding covers things such as buying two hundred trees, erecting a deer fence, hiring a tractor driver for a few days and buying materials and tools. There is also funding for a few weeks work before the event starts to prepare the land so that volunteers get to do as many of the 'nice' activities such as tree planting , as possible!

deep in the woods - the shrine tent...

“Buddhafield functions on a shoe string, with our retreats run on a dana system to ensure that as many people who want to are able to participate. It means that we don't have any reserves for positive projects outside of our retreats/festival/cafe programme. This grant gives us the opportunity to put creative energy into a really meaningful project and to encourage all those who want to join in to come and be a part of it. Particularly during this time of economic hardship, it feels great to get funding for such a forward thinking and sustainable project. I hope the forest garden project will encourage lots of people to get involved and will be an inspiration for many years to come”.

Hannah Phillips (Buddhafield retreats/fundraising)

Click here for more details of Buddhafield's retreats.

Rivendell celebrates 25 years of retreats

Triratna’s Rivendell Retreat Centre is located on the edge of a small village in the East Sussex countryside a few dozen miles south of London. For over 25 years they've provided a place where the relevance of the Buddha's teaching in our modern world can be explored and experienced through a wide variety of retreats for men and women across all levels of experience. Now Viryapuspa writes with news of their 25th anniversary and all that’s been going on there over the past year. She says -

“In 2010 we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Rivendell Retreat Centre. The year has been one of significant change in terms of the team, how we operate and upgrading our facilities. It has also seen the launch of our fund raising appeal to raise £25,000 to improve our bathroom, toilets and bedroom accommodation.

“In order to improve our booking service a decision was made to relocate the bookings office from Croydon Buddhist Centre to Rivendell. As a result with a lot of help and assistance from friends in the Sangha we have now installed a new office at Rivendell.

“We are also very pleased to welcome Janis to the Rivendell team as our new receptionist, responsible for bookings and retreat enquires. From the beginning of October we have a new bookings line 01825 733764 open Mon-Fri 1.30pm to 5.30pm. We also plan to provide an on-line booking facility from our web site in early 2011.

“During the 2010 'Friends of Rivendell week', with the help from our generous volunteers, we completed the first phase of our 25th Anniversary building project. Building a corridor in the North wing between two bedrooms will now allow separate access to these rooms.

“Thanks to people's generosity we have so far managed to raise over £5000 for our 25th Anniversary Appeal in January 2012 we plan to use the funds raised so far to refit the bathrooms and add another toilet and shower in the North Wing. One of the major areas of feedback from retreatants is we need more bathroom and toilet facilities, and we really want to respond to this need. However, we still need further funds to complete this phase of the project. If you would like to help us and donate to our appeal please go to www.rivendellretreatcentre.com/donate.html.

“2010 has marked a significant point in Rivendell's history and we are sure these changes will enable Rivendell to flourish as a place of Buddhist Practice for at least another 25 years.

“To celebrate our anniversary we have an excellent retreat programme for 2011. Including retreats led by Vimalachitta, Nagabodhi, Paramananda, Atula, Vajradarshini, Kamalashila and Tejananda with a diverse range of themes from Feeding your Demons, Wabi Sabi, Arthurian legends to intensive silent meditation retreats.

“Full details can be found on our website www.rivendellretreatcentre.com, or to keep up to date with news and events you can also find us on Facebook Friends of Rivendell Retreat Centre”.

Triratna has eight retreat centres around the UK, and you can find full details of their retreats at www.goingonretreat.com

Construction starts at Achalabhumi Vihara, India

More stories are coming in from India - today Triratna News brings you a photo report on progress at the Achalabhumi Vihara - a new Triratna retreat centre in the hills above Amaravati, in Central India. They’ve been fundraising locally and on-line for the past couple of years, and construction work has recently started.

The new retreat centre is set in Chikaldara, a range of beautiful hills which according to Wikipedia,  “Englishmen found particularly attractive because the lush green hue of the place reminded them of England”. The green comes, of course, from the rain - which makes access difficult during the rainy season - though not impossible, as our cover photo shows!

The presentation is available on Flickriver , or check their fundraising page at
www.justgiving.com/achalbhumivihara

new land and building project at Guhyaloka

For over 20 years Guhyaloka, a retreat centre high in the Spanish mountains behind Alicante, has served as the main venue for men’s ordinations into the Triratna Buddhist Order, with over 400 men having been ordained there. Besides their annual four-month-long Ordination retreats they run a full program of other retreats - but they’re now adding a significant new dimension to their facilities.

Late last year they purchased ‘El Collao Blanc’ (the White Collar), a beautiful piece of land nearby, with a vision to develop it into a venue for a one-year-long communal retreats for men. Although there’s a small building already on site, there’s more to do - building huts, a shrine room, providing electricity, composting toilets etc and of course some fundraising - about £40,000 - to fund the work.

The land has been described as “rather like a fat banana” - which doesn’t do it justice at all! It is a 15,000sqm strip of terraced land that follows the contours high on the side of the mountain on the way up to Guhyaloka itself - about 40 minutes walk away. The terraces have been lovingly tended, and produce over a tonne of almonds, and 200 litres annually of olive oil, plus much grape juice. There is also a ramble of small terraces around the house planted with a variety of fruit trees fig, plum, pear, persimmon, pomegranate, cherry and so on.

But perhaps the finest feature is a really magnificent 200 degree vista of the mountains that surround it on all sides. Everyone who has seen the land has fallen in love with it - Yashodeva, a local artist, being inspired to say it was “like a balcony in a god realm”.

 Now Achaladeva, an Order Member living at Guhyaloka, introduces it on video - just click the embedded player below or see it direct on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzn8D9-_J3o .



 For more information see www.guhyaloka.com

Exploring the five ‘Prajnas’ at the London Buddhist Centre

Padmalila writes from the London Buddhist Centre with news of a special retreat they’re running later this month, exploring the ‘Prajnas’ or Wisdoms - perhaps better known as the female Buddhas.

She says - “These are a lesser known set of five archetypal Buddhas in female form who appear traditionally in sexual union with their male counterparts but who are now being explored as independent Buddhas.

“In 2001 Vessantara spent a long solitary exploring these figures and the symbols of each began to emerge more clearly. He developed visualisations for them, mantras and a set of pujas too. Gradually images of the figures are emerging - Visuddhimati, Aloka and Amitajyoti have all made representations of some of them and Kumuda, in Bristol, has made a very striking set of all five figures which hang in the centre’s reception room.

“It is still early days, and a rare occurrence to have a retreat exploring these female Buddhas. Each are associated with an element and with a wisdom (an aspect of Enlightenment), plus their own mudra (hand gesture), colour, animal, and more. Thus they span both everyday reality and spiritual reality.

The retreat runs from 17-22nd October at Vajrasana, is open to men and women, and will be led by Vanaraji and Padmalila. Find out more via the LBC website www.lbc.org.uk/5prajnas.htm .

EcoDharma Centre launches ‘Nature-Based Practice’ Series of retreats

Eagles soar on the cliffs above EcoDharma

 The task of translating the Dharma into the world of the 21st century is crucial to the practice of Western Buddhism. One Triratna retreat centre engaging whole-heartedly in this creative process is the EcoDharma Centre in the Catalan Pyrenees. Their latest initiative is the new ‘Nature Based Practice Series’, which take meditation retreats into the heart of wild nature.

“Perhaps the defining feature of this moment in history is the need for civilization to change course from its destructive path of industrial growth and consumption,” says centre director Guhyapati. “Contemporary Buddhism,” he continues, “is by definition Buddhism amidst ecological crisis. Buddhism has much to offer in facing that crisis, but to be truly relevant today Buddhism needs to take its potential role very seriously.” In their attempt to step up to this challenge, the EcoDharma Centre team has been addressing important questions - how their practice of meditation and Dharma can really support the development of an ecological sensibility and contribute towards a life-affirming future; what relevance ecological issues have to the practice of Dharma today; and more.

solar panels at EcoDharma

Their answers range from attempts to embed the Centre and community in sustainable ways of living which draw out the ecological implications of Buddhist ethics, to exploring the theoretical interface between the Dharma and ecology.

The “Nature Based Practice” series, which is launched this autumn, is another outcome of this exploration. This consists of a series of retreats, crafted by the EcoDharma team, which bring Dharma and meditation together with the transformative power of wilderness immersion. “Living as we often do today, entirely enveloped in the urban environment, it is easy to find ourselves cut off from our deeper nature,” points out Rob, one of the team involved in putting on the events. He explains that “these events support people to take their meditation practice out into wild nature, helping to heal alienating splits both in themselves and between themselves and the natural world we depend on.” The landscape around the centre is both awesome and intimate, and the team has spent many years getting to know it well. “For me,” adds Rob, “just wandering, living and meditating in these woods, meadows and caves is a deeply empowering and transformative experience.”

Contact with nature is being increasingly recognized as a key to opening people up to the importance of ecological concerns and empowering them to act to resolve the issues we face. But how does that tie in with dharma practice? “The foundational steps of Dharma practice are found in the process of healthy psychological integration,” explains Guhyapati. “The growing discipline of ecopsychology helps us see how crucial our connection with nature is in order to be healthy humans – especially living in such alienating times. ‘Nature Based Practice’ is a valuable tool in this process of integration. But it goes further than that. As we practice amidst the wild we begin to feel our embeddedness within nature in tangible ways. We begin to appreciate the profound interconnections which weave us into the rich web of life. Such insights and broadening of identity are core to the practice of Dharma.”

The team suggests that it is no coincidence that great yogis and sages have from time immemorial taken themselves off into the wilds to deepen their practice. “Taking mindful appreciation and meditation practice out into the wilds is a powerful and tested approach,” says Rob. The events in the series explore various ways to support people to test that out.

The first event in the series is “Meeting the Wild”, which runs in November. For more details of the events in the series or background to the “Nature Based Practice” approach, you can look at the centre´s website www.ecodharma.com.

Panorama showing EcoDharma in the distance - the small dot in the centre!

Video clips from the International Retreat setup, dedicating the shrine dome and work circle

Friday sees the start of the second FWBO/Triratna International Retreat, with over 400 people from all over Europe and beyond coming together to explore the Buddha’s Enlightenment and the theme of ‘Turning Arrows into Flowers’. The Buddhafield and Taraloka teams have been immersed in setting up the event since last week, with a rich array of domes, marquees, bell tents and even a sauna springing up to decorate the field adjoining Taraloka - using a crew that already includes men and women from the UK, Denmark, Austria, India, Germany, France and beyond...

We’ve put together a short video clip from the setup showing Satyadarshin’s dedication of the new shrine dome (beautifully decorated with Celtic-Nepalese hangings provided by Dhiramati) and Shantikara’s introduction to the morning work circle.



Find it on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rl9Ipx5vMA if you don't see the embedded player above.

Once the retreat gets going we plan to document the event as it goes along, with video and audio recordings of the major talks, photographs of the people, and commentary from the Triratna News team. Watch this space for our latest offerings - and for now, enjoy the video...

Introducing the Sangharakshita Land Project

Mokshapriya writes from Birmingham, UK, with news of a major new initiative in the FWBO - the Sangharakshita Land Project. It will see a major move of some of the FWBO’s central institutions - and Sangharakshita himself - away from the Birmingham suburbs to a new, as yet unfound, piece of land and property somewhere in the British countryside.

He says -

“Many may have heard that Bhante is interested in finding a new country centre to form a focal point for our mandala. Karunika, Vajrasadhu and Mokshapriya, in dialogue with the Trustees of FWBO Central and others, have started a search for a sizeable piece of land as Bhante has proposed.

“For those who would like to keep in touch with the progress we're making with this project or to have an easy way to share thoughts and ideas, I’ve created a blog at the following address: www.sangharakshitalandproject.co.uk.

In the blog itself, under ‘Working out the essentials’, he goes on to explain some of the thinking behind the new project -

“We know there’ll be an appropriate new home for Bhante and his support community. There’ll also be his ‘library’ which I put in inverted commas because it’s not the right word. Actually I don’t have a single word because apart from his books we have his archives, letters, documents relating to his personal history and the Movement’s history, and his treasures. This ‘library’, which he wants to personally supervise, is a veritable treasury embodying our Order’s spiritual history.

“Next to that goes a Dharma Training Centre which focuses, naturally, on Bhante’s teachings with study, exploration and practice. This will be primarily aimed at the Order.

“We will also need to house the administrative work: FWBO Uddiyana, Order Office, Tiratna Trust, Liaison Office, FWBO Development Office etc, etc - sounds like a lot but it’s just a few people really.

“There will also be space for single sex communities. Perhaps just two initially but I guess that all depends on who wants to live there. Bhante has suggested communities for senior Order members both active and ‘retired’ (that’s probably my word). Perhaps I should say senior Order members no longer involved in direction but who are clearly ‘points of reference’ and Kalyana Mitras and widely respected - i.e. a source of spiritual support who other Order members naturally go to for guidance.

“Then there’ll need to be guest facilities to ensure people from around the world can visit comfortably.

“We also need land.

“I’m really happy that Bhante has specified elemental and sublime landscape (rather than pastoral). We need a place that uplifts, inspires and supports meditation. A mythic environment which is, in itself, a place people will want to be and can make their own. Land brings other opportunities too - apart from beautiful gardens we can grow fruit and vegetables which could even lead to market gardening if there were interested folk. I guess what happens will depend on Order members coming forward with their own energy and enthusiasm.

“In many ways the most important element of all in this project hasn’t yet been mentioned and it’s so crucial I’ll start a new entry called ‘pilgrimage’”.

If you want to find out more you’ll have to visit the blog itself - you’ll find it at www.sangharakshitalandproject.co.uk. And does anyone know anywhere suitable that’s for sale? - seriously!

second FWBO International Retreat - update

fwbo  international  retreat  2010

‘Turning Arrows into Flowers’

Friday 28th May to Tuesday 1st June 2010

www.internationalretreat.fwbo.org

Vajragupta writes with an update for FWBO News readers on the second FWBO International Retreat -  a big family-friendly event run by the FWBO Chairs Assembly in conjunction with Buddhafield and Taraloka.

He says - 

"It's shaping up to be another huge opportunity for a very imaginative collective celebration of Buddha Day (Wesak) - the festival of the Buddha's Enlightenment. 

"It'll also be a great way to experience the depth and breadth of our international Sangha, and to get a taste of just how satisfying it can be to live together for a short time immersed in a Buddhist context - practicing together, working together in teams, and so on.

"Here's some of what we've arranged so far -  

Story-telling, chanting and ritual: to create an atmosphere of magic and beauty, re-enacting the story of the Buddha’s Enlightenment.

Meditation: teaching and time to practice how can we see-through negativity and free our own hearts and minds.

Talks and discussion: looking at the society we live in and what helps and what hinders our attempts to move towards Enlightenment. How can we help turn “arrows into flowers”?

Sangha: an experience of the breadth and depth of the FWBO with hundreds of us from all over Europe living, practising, and creating sangha together over a long weekend.

Family Friendly: facilities and activities for children and teenagers.

"Places are limited so book soon!

"The event commences on the Friday evening and goes through to Tuesday lunchtime. There will be a full programme of talks, meditations, storytelling, and rituals, plus free time for meeting up with friends or going for a walk. Some of the FWBO’s most experienced teachers will be there, including Jnanavaca, Maitreyabandhu, Padmavajra, Saddhanandi, Sona, Tejananda, Vajradarshini, Vidyamala, with more to be confirmed…

"There will be two childcare sessions each day when those with children can bring them along to be looked after,allowing them to go to the talks, meditations and so on. Also, in the evening we'll have storytelling that they  can come to, sometimes join in with, and sometimes stay for part of the ritual/puja that follows on from it... Children aged 3 or under can come for free, and 4 to 16 year olds half price".

For the latest updates - and to book - please check the retreat website 
www.internationalretreat.fwbo.org

Second FWBO International Retreat planned for May 2010

Here’s an early heads-up for FWBO News’ readers on a major FWBO retreat coming up next year - the second FWBO International Retreat.

Dates are Friday 28th May to Tuesday 1st June 2010, the place is Taraloka, the FWBO’s retreat centre long-established on the English-Welsh border (and twice winner of the Good Retreat Guide’s ‘Retreat Centre of the Year’!

More details on the special retreat website www.internationalretreat.fwbo.org.

Vajragupta, one of the main organizers, says “The International Retreat is a collaboration between the FWBO Chairs Assembly, Buddhafield, and Taraloka. We aim to have 500 people from all over the FWBO in Europe practicing together over the Wesak weekend.

“The Friday the event starts is actually the full-moon of Wesak. This gives us the opportunity to have a large, collective celebration of Wesak in 2010. “he theme is going to be "turning arrows into flowers".

“ We'll begin with the story of the Buddha's overcoming of Mara, and then explore the spiritual transformation of our own lives and the world we live in. This will involve a mixture of talks, meditation teaching, story-telling and ritual, as well as activities for children. We'll be welcoming people from all over Europe, and providing priority booking and translation facilities for those from overseas.

“The feedback from the last event was overwhelmingly positive - it gave people a great experience of practicing with the wider FWBO.

“Please get involved to make the 2010 event even more of a success”.

Vajragupta
Director, FWBO Development Team

The photos are from the 2007 International Retreat: inside and outside the main shrine marquee.

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”

New Retreat Centre in Holland: first resident moves to Metta Vihara!

There's great news just in from the FWBO's Dutch and Belgian Sanghas, where for more than 20 years they’ve been hiring accommodation to hold retreats.  Parina, their newly-ordained project manager, writes to say -

“We've finally signed a contract to start building an FWBO retreat Centre here in The Low Countries. Our Chairwoman Karin van Kesteren signed the contract on Friday morning 4th of September on behalf of our charity Metta Vihara. And in the afternoon, Akasasuri opened the door of our future retreat place!

“It's an old pig farm and we will have to demolish the barns first before we can start the building work in spring 2010. We hope to open the doors of our centre at the end of 2010.

“In the meantime, there’s more work to be done, and more money to be raised - but our spirits are up! Both our Sanghas are very supportive of the project and willing to help in all kinds of ways. In fact, the network of friendship and interconnectedness just grows and glows.

“Thank you to all who've supported and encouraged us”.

Metta Vihara’s new address is Hengstdijkse Kerkstraat 36; on the outskirts of a small village near the sea and well-placed for all the local Sanghas, being more or less midway between Gent, Antwerp, and Rotterdam, south of Amsterdam.

There’s lots more about what’s going on there on their (Dutch) website www.mettavihara.nl. In fact, we can’t resist copying some if here, translated courtesy of Google Translate. Apologies for any inaccuracies! They say -

“On September 4 we had the keys of the future retreat centre and then we immediately got to work with cleaning and painting of the house. The next step is to move all the stuff from Bilthoven to Hengstdijk (September 12) and then in October following the demolition of the old barns. If everything goes to plan we will start the spring with the new construction.


“Meanwhile, we continue to the final design for the retreat centre, and the building permit application. 


"For the future, sustainability is a topic of conversation: the care for the earth is dear to our hearts and we explore all possibilities that exist for sustainable building and focus.


“Yours, Dhammaketu, Karin van Kesteren, Akasasuri, Manigarbha”.

Meanwhile their fundraising goes on, and they’d like to draw attention to one thing especially - the Urgyen Sangharakshita tulip bulbs. They say (also in translation) -

“BUY THEM NOW!!! And help the fundraising campaign of € 80,000 together for the establishment of the brand new retreat centre. This unique tulip was named after Urgyen Sangharakshita, the founder of the Friends of Western Buddhist Order, which Metta Vihara is part of.


"You can get 15 bulbs for € 10 and 7 bulbs for € 5. The bulbs can be planted from October to December on balconies or in the garden and bloom in the spring. Click here for photos and ordering."

The photos show Metta Vihara's latest poster,  the contract-signing ceremony, and an architect’s impression of the new retreat centre building.

Belgium celebrates mitra ceremony on the International Urban Retreat - all invited!

Arthakusalin writes from Belgium to say -

"This is to inform you that on the evening of Thursday 25th, during the FWBO International Urban Retreat at the Ghent Buddhist Centre, there will be a mitra ceremony.

"Steven Heyde will become a mitra that evening, the ceremony will be led by the two Urban Retreat leaders Upekshadaka and Arthakusalin.

"We thought it would be a great moment for Steven to have his ceremony in this wider, international context with so many people attending the retreat all over the world...

"all my best wishes, Arthakusalin

If you're reading this - why not send them a message of support - just email the Centre!

The photograph shows the Order Members from the Ghent Centre.

Click here for more on the International Urban Retreat: happening this week!

Urban Retreat - shrines from around the world

Lokabandhu, one of the organisers of the FWBO International Urban Retreat, writes to say -

"Hi, just to say the Mosaic of Shrines and Sanghas for the Urban Retreat is now complete and can be downloaded as a high-quality PDF from the Resources page of FWBO News:

www.fwbo-news.org/resources/urban_retreat_shrines_and_sanghas_mosaic.pdf

"It's printable as an 8-page full-colour poster that should look great on your shrine. If you prefer you can enjoy it on-line at the FWBO Photos site:

www.flickr.com/photos/fwbo/sets/72157619314684733/

"The Mosaic contains over 50 photos of Buddhist shrines from around the world; also many of the FWBO sanghas participating in the retreat. Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos - more are welcome but I can't guarantee they'll be included in this edition of the mosaic!"

The retreat is going well, both online via Facebook and at over 40 FWBO Centres and groups large and small around the world. To quote an email at random, Barbara from Lyon in France writes:

"Please find attached the photo of our small group who attended the 1st day of Urban Retreat near Lyon in the French Region of Rhones Alpes (South east).

"We are a small group of 3 people practising with the FWBO. Many thanks for all your support (and all the project team) to make this happen. People find it very supportive and helpful. And it was for me a great occasion to lead a day retreat for the 1st time!"

Urban Retreat starts today

The FWBO's first International Urban Retreat starts today with over 40 Buddhist Centres from around the world - and an unknown but substantial number of individuals on Facebook - coming together for a week of shared practice.

Over the past weeks we've been collecting short talks and videos from individuals from around the world talking about their life and practice; you'll find these on the Talks and Resources page of the Urban Retreat website. Latest additions are talks and videos from India, America, New Zealand, Australia, UK, and Germany. Many thanks to FreeBuddhistAudio and VideoSangha for hosting these.

Coming soon is the Urban Retreat Shrine Mosaic: a large downloadable printable montage of Urban Retreat shrines from all over the world - it should be available Monday afternoon. Plus more talks and videos…

If you want to participate it's still possible to join the Facebook version of the retreat - visit the 'Preparation' event at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=59381279298 and follow the links…

'Buddhafield East' sangha celebrations

The FWBO's 'Buddhafield East' sangha have just celebrated their first-ever long retreat. It seems to have been a hit! Jon Heddle writes -

"Set in a sun-drenched buttercup meadow in North Norfolk, the first ever Buddhafield East long retreat was a triumph. The perfect blend of play and Dharma practice. Padmavajra's talks on developing 'The Mind of Wisdom and Compassion' were very well received by both those new to retreats and 'old' hands alike.

"In addition to talks, meditation, ritual and discussion there was also plenty of time for frisbee, volley ball, circus games, yoga and what can be best described as dry field sledging. After the evening Puja people either sat round the main camp fire and/or enjoyed the sauna, whilst the field was bathed in a mist made silver by the waxing moons gentle glow.

"On the final evening of the retreat we held a soiree in the round house. Warmed by a log fire we shared poems, stories, jokes, dance, song, Capoeira and a lot of laughter!

"The feedback was very positive, ranging from 'the best retreat ever' to 'I never knew retreats would be so much fun'.

"Roll on the 2009 Buddhafield East Summer Gathering!"

Buddhafield East are based in East Anglia, UK, you'll find their very beautiful website at http://buddhafieldeast.com - or their blog at http://bfenews.blogspot.com

FWBO International Urban Retreat update: talks uploaded and Facebook event launched

The FWBO International Urban Retreat starts this Saturday, with over 40 FWBO Centres around the world participating - plus another 250 or more people on Facebook.

To help illustrate the internationality of the event - and of the FWBO Sangha as a whole - a series of talks and videos is gradually being uploaded to the retreat website www.theurbanretreat.org.

These are short '10-minute-talks' by Order Members around the world, each talking about their life and practice. Already up are three very different talks by three widely-separated Dharmacharinis:

Karunaprabha (an Indian woman Order Member) telling the story of how her love of medicine led her to the Dharma;

Viveka, chair of the FWBO's San Francisco Buddhist Center describing, in a very personal talk, the challenges and opportunities in the areas of marriage, work and ethnicity; and

Suvarnamaitri, from Dinslaken, Germany, reflecting on her practice as a teacher.

Last but not least is a German talk by Mokshasiddha, on his life and practice as a physician living in Berlin.

You'll find all these on the 'Talks and Resources' page of the website www.theurbanretreat.org .

On Facebook the 'Preparation' Event has been released, where people not living anywhere near a participating FWBO Centre can still participate fully. This links you to material on meditation, on creating a shrine, finding a retreat 'buddy', suggested daily programmes, retreat diaries, and lots more.

The Kshitigarbha project: Outreach in Central India

For this week's personal profile, FWBO News presents Karunashur, an Indian Order Member living and studying in Cambridge UK.  He has sent us this inspiring report of his recent four-month-long Dhamma tour in the dusty plains of central India.

With Saddharaja, also from Cambridge, they have created the Kshitigarbha project, which raises funds to run retreats for the very poorest Buddhists in rural areas of India.

Karunashur says -

"I left UK for India on 2nd of Jan. Three days later I started giving talk in every village in my region - this is near Wardha, in Central India. It is very poor and suffers for a long time from drought. Many farmers are committing suicide. Saddharaja and I (photo, left) led a big 'Kshitigarbha' retreat at our retreat centre 'Bor Dharan' near Wardha. This is an annual retreat especially for poor people - we raise money in UK to make it possible for anyone to come. We also led the Kshitigarbha retreat last year. That time around five hundred people turned up. This time there were altogether seven hundred retreatants. They were coming from rural area and poor families.

"Before that I had been giving talks many different villages. In total I gave 70 talks while I was in India. After finishing the retreat, Saddharaja and I together gave six more talks around Wardha district. While we were giving the talks, people were saying to us that a few Hindu people also came our retreat. It was very pleasing news for us. Then I realized more than fifty Hindu people were in Kshitigarbha retreat. It’s a good sign for us. Not only Buddhist people are coming but non-Buddhist people also.

"Saddharaja left India then I was giving talks again. Most of my talks are based on Dhammapada. I realised it is good to tell Dhammapada stories rather than high principle or philosophy. People in rural areas like listening to stories! They were enjoying my story telling. Dhammapada stories are related to human beings. Most of talks were arranged for the evenings when people were free.

"Also this visit I led a day retreat with TBMSG people and non-TBMSG people. The people were already Buddhist; they know how to chant the Pali Canon and do puja. But they don’t know about meditation. I was teaching them two kinds of meditation Anapanasati and Metta Bhavana. A day retreat used to start at 11 o’ clock and finish at 5 o’ clock. Buddhist people were coming from different villages.

"After that I led a Holi retreat (Holi is big Indian "colour festival"). The theme was the Maha Vagga from the Dhammapada. I gave talks every day in that retreat. Four hundred people were there. It was a great experience to lead that retreat. Afterwards again I started giving talks and leading a day retreat. And then I went to Gujarat gave a talk, and led a day retreat in Valsad. It was my first talk in Hindi - normally I speak Marathi.

"And after that I went to Sikkim for eight days. It was very cold weather and showering. It felt like English weather! I visited Namachi monastery in Gangtok, Ghoom monastery in Darjeeling, and Bhante’s 'Bhikkhu cottage' in Kalimpong. Three Order Members were with me. It was a very great experience travelling with them.

"I came back from Sikkim on 25th of April in Wardha. The Sun was pouring fire, it was 46 degrees temperature. I felt sick for three days and spent a couple of days with my family. I left India for UK on 29th of April.

"Thanks to Lokabandhu for this. He told me to write for FWBO news.

"I will write again. Karunashur"

Next year they hope for 1,000 or even more people on their retreat. They have a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/kshitigarbha which readers of FWBO News are warmly invited to contribute to.