Effective consultation, decision-making and coordination

To facilitate strategy, effective decision-making, collaboration and coordination based on a high degree of consultation within and across the three key Strands and six geographical areas of Triratna.

Commonality, unity and harmony

To promote commonality, unity and harmony within the Triratna Community so that everyone can have confidence that they are participating in the same Movement.

Spiritual standards

To offer guidance and support so that all aspects of the Triratna Community, especially new developments, are rooted in our core spiritual values, which derive from Urgyen Sangharakshita’s presentation of the Dharma.

Ethical standards

To offer guidance and support so that all aspects of the Triratna Community exemplify high ethical standards in alignment with the precepts.

Guidance and support

To give those in a position of responsibility access to guidance and support from peers and more experienced Order Members.

Altruistic/Bodhicitta intention

Triratna as a force for good across time and space –  taking the Dharma into the world.

Spirit of kalyana mitrata

Exemplification of kalyana mitrata in our work and communication with fellow Order Members. Enjoying each other’s company – working together with trust, confidence, openness, freedom, creativity, and boldness.

Common purpose

Encouraging common understanding and purpose whilst being sensitive to national and cultural differences.

Effective work practices and processes

Effective and sustainable processes to do our work – welcoming and learning from constructive feedback.

Maintaining the Triratna lineage (tradition)

Helping Triratna to thrive following Bhante’s death – continuing his vision and presentation of the Dharma, drawing on his and Dr Ambedkar’s teachings.

1. Strengthen the lineage of responsibility: – support the spiritual and leadership development of those who occupy – and will occupy – positions of responsibility within Triratna. Clarify how decisions are made and by whom.

2. Develop effective communications: – develop and coordinate Triratna’s internal and external communications to encourage greater confidence, learning, depth, and harmony within our community; share the best of what Triratna offers to existing and new audiences; and respond in a timely and constructive manner to external media interest.

3. Young people – continually attract and support young people for a Dharma life within Triratna.

4. Wealth creation and management – generate, liberate, and invest financial resources to fund Triratna’s essential institutions

5. Develop situations of transformative intensity: – create and support new opportunities for Triratna Buddhists to live, work and be together in ways that significantly deepen their experience of kalyana mitrata, and their understanding and practice of the Dharma

6. Develop Triratna as a truly international Buddhist community: – create the means for information and inspiration within Triratna to flow easily across languages and national boundaries

7. Encourage diversity of different kinds: – encourage a Triratna culture that is aware and respectful of individual and group differences so that it becomes more accessible and welcoming to an increasingly diverse range of people who want to learn and practice the Dharma as interpreted by Sangharakshita

8. Dharmic engagement with social/ecological issues: – encourage the development of a specifically Dharmic vision of, and approaches to, social/ecological issues

9. Deepen understanding and trust between the three strands: – encourage and support harmony within and between the College, Order and Movement strands; and deepen confidence in their shared path of practice

Sangharakshita gave his blessing on the suggested protocol as part of a healthy succession plan for our community, helping us to pass on his own duties, responsibilities and inspiration.

At the 1st International Council meeting in 2011, at Padmaloka (UK), the themes explored included:

• a shared system of training
• ways of engaging the Order
• funding the Order & Movement

In 2013, at Nagaloka (India), the themes were:

• intensity of practice (led to dialogue with the Order on system of practice)
• ethical and spiritual standards (promoted discussion on addressing serious ethical issues)
• leadership in transition (supporting growth and development of the Movement)

2016, at Adhisthana, themes were:

• system of spiritual life (led to work on commonality and evaluating new developments)
• maintaining unity (led to consultation on What is a Triratna Centre?)
• ethical and spiritual standards (led to recommending ethical & conflict resolution guidelines)

2018, at Bhaja (India) outcomes included:

• overview of Sikkha project
• conflict resolution proposal
• a review of structures: What is a Triratna Centre
• support for movement coordinators
• 20/20 vision: ‘think tanks’ to input into a strategic vision for our community

Due to the pandemic, the IC met online exploring:

• authority in the spiritual community
• commonality
• principles for social engagement