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The Four Gifts : a Triratna-wide theme for 2026

This may be the first attempt to coordinate a common theme for Triratna internationally.
But why choose this subject?

For several years the International Council has circled around the topic of Triratna’s core vision, noting that the language of building the ‘New Society’ has dropped out of currency in many parts of the world, perhaps being perceived as old fashioned, or left wing.

While individual situations may well be inspired, is the source and language of that inspiration held in common between situations?

The top four strategic priorities of the IC are:

  • lineage of responsibility
  • effective communications
  • young people
  • wealth creation

and each of these is bolstered by having a strong, collective vision.
The scope was widened by the participants of the Chair’s College Council (CCC) from just the ‘New Society’ to all four ‘Gifts’, to give the fullest possible sweep of Triratna’s offering, within a poetic framework.
It so happens that the four ‘Brighton’ lectures in which Bhante outlined the four Gifts will be 50 years old in 2026, providing a convenient ‘hook’ for the theme.

How?

Each situation is encouraged to find their own way to engage with the material.

These resources will be made available:

  • a reprint of Buddhism for Today and Tomorrow
  • ???

Maybe the material can be taken as a theme into events, retreats, Order conventions and weekends…

Ideally, it will feel like a Triratna-wide conversation, so that the most creative offerings from each situation can be shared and surfaced. This will be enabled by …..?? BCO blog?

Aims

At the end of the year, a successful outcome might look like:

  • a more widely shared understanding of the material encompassed by the Four Gifts
  • a greater confidence – at least among active Mitras and more ‘front-line’ Order Members – in what Triratna has to offer
  • hence, a focus in teaching that reflects that confidence
  • a general galvanising effect in peoples’ practice as a whole a collective language that may be a revivified appreciation of the vision of building the New Society
  • or there may be a new expression of that myth
  • or there may be an ongoing process of revisioning that feels live and exciting
  • an appreciation of the value of ‘semi-monastic’ situations that feels inspiring rather than threatening to people outside of them
  • an appreciation and understanding by people who lead more mainstream lives of the need to find situations of Dharmic intensity for themselves
  • experimentation in creating models of such situations