Introduction

Greetings from Arthavadin,

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the journey from within India or elsewhere in the world, to join the in-person International Council meeting at Nagaloka in Nagpur. I hope you had an enjoyable meeting and your travels were worthwhile.

Our online meetings are important, but there’s something special about meeting in-person where we can share meals, relax, and just hang out together. This allows us to more deeply reconnect with old friends and, just as importantly, make new ones. It is these friendships – our kalyana mitrata – that keeps the IC harmonious, united and strong.

Sadly, the meeting was not quorate with only one member attending from Oceania, two from Latin America, and none from the US and Canada. Nevertheless, the meeting was productive and we were still able to progress the work of the IC. Those who weren’t present were missed!

The following summary provides an overview of our meeting and the provisional agreements we reached. I’ve tried to keep it succinct but (sometimes) more detailed information is available in the ‘toggle’ boxes.

At our previous in-person meeting at Adhisthana (November 2022), we successfully reviewed the International Council’s (IC) purpose, established its priorities, and updated its working arrangements. At subsequent online meetings we explored some of these priorities, but struggled to translate them into concrete actions.

In November, Mahamati succeeded Ratnadharini as chair. A key figure in the IC’s founding in 2011, he has a deep understanding of its crucial role in fostering cohesion and unity within our international movement. Prior to our meeting at Nagaloka, he clearly stated his desire to introduce himself and his vision to the IC. He also wanted this gathering to be enjoyable and to achieve tangible outcomes, ideally without excessive reliance on flipcharts!

Most members traveled to Nagaloka following their attendance at the International Order Convention in Bodh Gaya. Nagaloka (in Nagpur, central India) provides intensive, residential Dharma and social empowerment training programs for young men and women from different states across India. On our first evening, Maitreyanath, the Director of Nagaloka, led us on a comprehensive tour of the well-maintained 15-acre campus. At its heart stands a striking 11-meter tall golden walking Buddha. Directly facing him, in the distance, is an elevated brass statue of Dr. Ambedkar.

This setting was ideal for our meeting’s theme of Vision and Transformation.

(we did have some flip-charts, sorry)

The meeting followed a generally consistent structure, with just a few exceptions. One of these was an inspiring day near the end when we visited:

• Deekshabhumi, where Dr. Ambedkar and approximately 400,000 followers converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956
• a site in the country intended for a new women’s retreat centre
• and Sudarshanabhumi, a beautiful new retreat centre, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch

Dhammachari Nagabhadra ritually hands over the land deeds for women’s retreat centre

Each morning began with meditation in an airy ten-pillared shrine room, designed to resemble a verdant cave.

After breakfast, to commemorate Bhante’s birth centenary, we heard concise presentations on chosen aphorisms and brief excerpts from his writing which we then studied in chapters.

Most days, we focused on exploring key IC strategic priorities and determining action steps.

We also heard from Candradasa and Dayaketu about the future of the Dharma online in light of new technologies (which had been specifically requested by the IC membership), and about Future Dharma’s ‘Work A Day For The Dharma’ initiative presented by Nandavajra. Finally, there were opportunities for Strands and (where possible) Area Councils to meet.

In the evenings, we either participated in puja or enjoyed Maitreyanath and Amrutdeep being interviewed.

Towards the end of our time together, Amoghavajra hosted a cultural evening filled with entertaining, talented, and surprising performances.  Sadly, this was not recorded (although some might be relieved).

On the first full day of the meeting, Arthavadin provided an overview of the IC’s activities since 2021 (sorry the sound isn’t so good on this) and Mahamati presented his thoughts on the importance of the IC, its future trajectory, and its potentially synergistic relationship with the newly formed College Chairs Council.

IC Strategic Priority 1:

The Path of Responsibility

At our April 2023 online meeting we explored how to deepen the spiritual experience of the Path of Responsibility.  At that meeting, the IC generated seventeen insightful ideas, which the (then) Steering Group subsequently prioritised for their potential impact. The top-ranked suggestion was to revitalise the New Society as a compelling and relevant vision to inspire those taking, and thinking about taking, responsibility within Triratna – both now and in the future. Recognising that the New Society had been a recurring theme at previous IC gatherings, but never formally explored, the (current) Steering Group agreed that it would be helpful to give it focused attention.

Recently appointed College Deputy Vajrashura delivered a thought-provoking presentation to introduce the New Society theme. His central message was that the New Society remains a clear and relevant vision for Triratna but we need to find new and different ways to realise it. He proposes that the New Society should provide contexts of daily transformative intensity, beyond what are currently available. Vajrashura concluded by inviting the Strands to consider the following questions:

The 3 Cs in your Strand or situation:

• are they alive, supported, valued?
• any new ways for them to manifest?
• what channels are there for people to experience the New Society nowadays?
• where will people get the kinds of intensity that we’ve benefitted from and that have shaped us into the person we are today?
• what can those of us outside of India learn from what we see here?
• what will your strand do to bring the New Society to life in the present age?

Following a period of discussion, each strand fed back its reflections and actions that will be taken.

IC Strategic Priority 1 (sub-element):

Decision-making

In September 2023, the International Council (IC) met online to establish principles for decision-making and to explore a universal decision-making model for Triratna. While the meeting produced valuable information, the aspiration of a universal model proved overly ambitious.

Recognising the IC’s lack of a clear decision-making model, which could undermine the legitimacy of its decisions, the Steering Group remained committed to addressing this strategic priority. Bodhivamsa was tasked with developing a proposal for discussion at Nagaloka.

Despite feeling unwell, Bodhivamsa led an informative and engaging workshop. This included an introduction to decision-making, a group exercise illustrating the challenges of achieving pure consensus, a review of the 2023 IC meeting (noted above), and a suggested decision-making model for the IC.

The IC saw potential in Bodhivamsa’s proposal but felt it required further refinement. Consequently, Vajrapriya, Jnanacandra, and Arthavadin formed a working group and, several days later, presented a revised recommendation. This received strong support from the IC, though suggestions for a few further improvements were made. The Steering Group will incorporate these suggestions before submitting the amended decision-making process to Area Councils for consent.

A discussion of the revised decision-making process can be found at 11:30 in the 2nd video. The first part of that video has Parami introducing or reminding us about the International Course. Please note that the College is seeking nominations from Area Councils for the summer 2026 course at Adhisthana (see video).

IC Strategic Priority 2:

Develop effective communications

The September 2023 IC online meeting started exploring Triratna’s communications, specifically how to effectively communicate Triratna to the world.  The membership was clear about what it wanted to communicate and how it wanted this to happen. However, it also recognised that communications covers such a broad spectrum of activities and that these needed to be prioritised.

At Nagaloka Candradasa and Dayaketu gave a comprehensive presentation of how the Buddhist Centre Online is meeting a wide range of Triratna’s online communications (and other) needs, as well as laying out the pressing financial challenges that threaten its continuing operation and future development.

They asked the meeting to consider the following questions:

• does the IC still want to hold overall responsibility for Triratna online and its funding?
• what would it look like to you in your strand for Triratna to succeed online?
• if we are to serve a vision of the New Society well we need a new conversation about how we fund central Triratna spaces and services online. Whichever version of the future appeals to you, how can your strand invest in and support this work?
• how do we become a credible exemplifying force for good online at the scale Bhante envisaged?

and received feedback (see 2nd video)

Arthavadin facilitated a communications prioritisation exercise, where members were individually requested to choose, in priority order, five ideas from the wide-ranging list generated at the September 2023 IC zoom meeting noted above. (Candradasa, Dayaketu and other guests were requested not to attend this session.)

In priority order, the membership identified the following four communications issues as the most important, especially the first priority which received a significantly greater weighting than those that follow it.

The Steering Group agreed to address these priorities and will feed back to the IC on progress later this year.

IC Strategic Priority 4:

Wealth creation and management

Wealth creation and management is the IC’s fourth strategic priority. It aims to generate, liberate, and invest financial resources to fund Triratna’s essential institutions.

Nandavajra, Director of FutureDharma, was invited to explore this priority with the IC. There was no expectation that this initial exploration would result in definite actions although, as can be seen below, some were generated.

Nandavajra gave a brief presentation which included the sharing of an unofficial diagram which helpfully illustrates the organisational flow of funds within and across Triratna.

He then invited the three Strands to map out the financial ‘ecology’ for their strand, exploring how it is funded, and to determine whether such funding is sustainable.  He also suggested that the Strands could, if they wished, conduct a SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to sustainable strand funding. Several other questions were asked relating to each Strand’s vision, with ideas and potential next steps, for funding and abundance; and to explore how the Strand exists within a wider organisational system, identifying opportunities for synergy, collaboration and new income generation projects.

The outputs of each Strand (below) potentially provide a basis for further discussions and possible actions to progress the wealth creation and management priority.

Later, Nandavajra invited the membership, in different (non-Strand) groupings, to consider these questions:

What are the key financial issues/needs for our institutions?
What can be done to address them?

IC Priority 8: Dharmic engagement with social and ecological issues

Arthavadin fed back to the membership that after a long, and at times challenging, process the ‘Guidelines on Buddhist Social Action’ have now received consent from all six Area Councils. The Steering Group is keen that after so much hard work these guidelines are discussed and explored within Areas and Strands so that they are widely known and brought to life as a helpful resource. Arthavadin, on behalf of the Steering Group, Area Councils are requested to send ideas about how to achieve this to him in the next few weeks (or his successor if after April). The Steering Group will collate and consider all ideas, and report an agreed way forward.

Area Council meetings

Area Councils (that had sufficient members present) at Nagaloka met to discuss issues within their Areas. They were requested to consider and share with the meeting their top tips and ideas for an efficient and effectively functioning Area Council . 

Click on the box below for the collated list of their suggestions:

On the final day, Parina and Jnanacandra generously conducted an evaluation of the meeting by asking members what they liked and found effective, and what they wished to be different.

In the evening, Mahamati thanked the members for their attendance and wholehearted participation. He acknowledged everyone who had contributed to the meeting’s preparation and success, including Nagaloka’s exceptionally responsive and efficient kitchen and housekeeping teams.

Arthavadin, who will step down from his role as IC Convenor at the end of April, was warmly celebrated and rejoiced in. He received cards expressing appreciation, along with a scaled-down, yet substantial, replica of the large walking Buddha rupa that stands at the heart of Nagaloka. Arthavadin thanked the members for their generosity and kindness, and specifically acknowledged Aparajita and others who have assisted him over the past four years. Finally, Arthavadin expressed his confidence in Mahamati as the chair of the IC and encouraged everyone to support him.

The meeting concluded with a transference of merit and self-surrender.

The International Council’s meeting at Nagaloka began to successfully bridge the gap between strategic aspirations and practical actions.  It fostered invaluable in-person connections and reinforced the kalyana mitrata that unites us despite living and working in different parts of the world.

Significant strides were made in clarifying the IC’s decision-making process, and in addressing Triratna’s communications. Notably, the meeting reignited the vision of the New Society, prompting insightful discussions and concrete actions across the College, Order, and Movement Strands. Furthermore, we began to delve into the crucial area of wealth creation and management, planting seeds that will hopefully sprout into initiatives that secure the financial sustainability of our key structures and institutions.

Beyond the specific agreements and action plans, the meeting’s success lay in its ability to inspire. The rich tapestry of experiences gained from spending ten days in close proximity – meditating, practicing and eating together; exploring Bhante’s aphorisms and, and simply enjoying a day out, and entertaining each other at our cultural evening—created a shared context for meaningful dialogue.  Although we have now returned to our respective homes, we carry with us a renewed sense of purpose. By translating collective aspirations into tangible actions, and by nurturing the bonds of spiritual friendship, each and every member has played a small but important part in maintaining and strengthening the IC, and therefore Triratna.  Thank you.