Introduction

Some of you will not be familiar with the International Council. It was established in 2011 with Bhante’s blessing as a way of ‘joining up’ Triratna across the many geographical regions that we have so far reached. It brings together people around the world taking responsibility within the three Strands (College, Order and Movement) to facilitate collaboration and unity. More information about the International Council here.

Many of us in the International Council arrived at Nagaloka in Nagpur after attending the wonderful International Order Convention at Bodhgaya. Nagaloka felt like an oasis and a beautifully peaceful place to gather.

So what did we do with our 8 full days together?

The following summary provides an overview of our meeting and the provisional agreements we reached.

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!

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 bronze statue of Dr. Ambedkar.

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

(we did have some flip-charts, sorry)

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.

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

On the first full day of the meeting, Arthavadin provided an overview of the IC’s activities since 2021 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.

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, we enjoyed an inspiring day visiting:

• 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

Also, Amoghavajra hosted a cultural evening filled with entertaining, talented, and surprising performances.

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 were 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, it was 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 practical ways of acheiving this.

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, Bodhivamsa was tasked with developing a proposal for the IC at Nagaloka.

This was discussed, revised and accepted as a recommendation which will be forwarded to Area Councils for consent. If agreed, the decision-making process will be formally incorporated into the IC’s working arrangements and shared as a suggested model for other bodies.

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 first offered an introduction to AI (artificial intelligence) and Algorithms, including an example of how the quality of Bhante’s lectures can be improved using AI. 

They then 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.

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 help the IC explore this priority. There was no expectation that this 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 IC membership to consider these questions:

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

Responses to these questions below:

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. We expect that this resource will be shared with the Order in the next few months.

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.