Here is the first in a series of talks from the 2019 Triratna International Council, with the whole event set in the context of the Council considering deeply and studying the Dharma together.

This year’s theme is major elements from the Dharma biography of Sangharakshita, Triratna’s founder, which are of wider relevance to anyone endeavouring to lead a Buddhist life. To kick things off, Saddhaloka explores the key aspects of any practitioner’s commitment, Going Forth and Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels, evoking how Sangharakshita engaged with these formative acts as foundations of his own practice in India at the end of the Second World War.

Saddhaloka: Going Forth & Going For Refuge

Aryajaya explores Sangharakshita’s relationship to his teachers, who form the lineage for the Triratna Buddhist Order. A lovely exploration of the experience of relationship to the Bodhisattvas of Buddhist tradition via meditations passed from teacher to disciple, evoking a wide open sense of connection to the great beauty they represent.

Aryajaya: Sangharakshita’s First Connection with His Teachers and Receiving Practices

Lokeshvara recounts some of his own encounters with Sangharakshita and highlights some great quotes to delve into three key areas: setting up a context for people to share their lives; “the fundamental view” of Triratna’s approach to the Dharma; and ways to make decisions. An excellent primer for our day’s conversation at the International Council (we expect the conversations will last a lifetime).

Lokeshvara: Setting Up the Order and Movement

What Is Triratna Like In 2038?

Area Councils Plenary Session

Podcast with New Zealand & Australian members

We’re joined by our friends from New Zealand and Australia for a check-in around their take on the week and the relevance of international perspectives to their own communities and their experience of the Dharma life back home. Inspiring to hear connections being made that can cross oceans and great distances, carrying a sense of harmony that will resonate wherever you are.

Here is Prajnaketu’s inspiring presentation on the next phase of work to strengthen engagement from young people with the possibilities of a strong Dharma life.

The last in our series of talks from the 2019 Triratna International Council. This year’s theme is major elements from the Dharma biography of Sangharakshita, Triratna’s founder, which are of wider relevance to anyone endeavouring to lead a Buddhist life.

This talk begins with Dhammarati’s intimate account of his immediate personal experience of the death of his teacher. From there, this talk blossoms into a deeply felt manifesto about the practice of harmony as way to cultivate insight into the nature of reality as a community, and as an individual within a community. It’s also about how sanghas can survive the death of their founder and flourish. 

Taking in Sangharakshita himself on the future of the Order he founded, William Blake, the Cetokhila Sutta, and the Karaniya Metta Sutta, Dhammarati offers a condensed, down-to-earth guide to working with others as a practice that conduces to the good of all.

A great conversation with the quietly brilliant Abhayadana about her Buddhist work and practice in India. Her name means ‘Giver of Fearlessness’ – and this is something she has dedicated her life to, helping support and free women in her community from the stigma of social caste and the violence that often goes with it.

We hear about her personal approach via meditation and reflection on the Buddhist figure of Kshitigarbha (Jizo) who descends into hell realms to liberate suffering beings. And her experience of visiting Adhisthana, former home of her teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita, and the gratitude she has to his work and to the Dharma itself for what she describes as the chance to live as a human being. 

Towards the end of the 2019 meeting of the International Council, both the Strands and the Areas clarified what they will take forward as action points.

On the final day of the 2019 International Council, Dhammarati sums up the meeting and looks forward to the work ahead.