Amalavajra from Future Dharma Fund - which supports Triratna projects around the world - invites two young people to share their stories of transformation.

We hear from Deepak, a young man from India, whose life has been changed utterly since coming across Triratna when he was seventeen. He movingly shares his story of growing up in the caste system and how practising the Dharma allowed him to 'reclaim his humanity'. Gleysa from Venezuela, who has recently finished the Dharma Life course at Adhisthana, also expresses her gratitude for the support she has received. You can listen to her story here.

In this session, Amalavajra introduces us to "the profound spiritual practice of being asked for money" - a crucible in which we can transform if we can sit with the discomfort of 'yes' and 'no'...

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The final evening of the 2019 Triratna International Gathering culminated in a rousing Padmasambhava puja led by Singhamati. Invoking Padmasambhava, himself a master magician, was a fitting end to the "Alchemy of the Dharma".

Here are two of the mantras from this final puja: firstly, an energetic version, with drums and harmony, and then concluding with the 'longing' Padmasambhava mantra as the evening drew to a close...

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And now... Celebrating Internationality in Triratna: Latin America edition!

Vanaraji in conversation with Gleysa from Venezuela and Salvador from Mexico, on how the Dharma has changed their lives as young Buddhists in the Triratna community.

Recorded at Adhisthana, August 2019.

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A conversation with two of the most experienced members of the Order in India, the pioneering Amoghasiddhi And Amritasiddhi from Nagpur. Mahamati explores with them the history of Triratna in India - and how a new generation of Indian Buddhists adopted a radical Dharma life in the name of freedom from oppression and liberation for all.

Recorded at Adhisthana in August 2019.

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A sevenfold puja with all the trimmings, including an extended reading of Pingiya's Praises of the Way to the Beyond. We also have the ethical precepts and the Heart Sutra recited in many languages, a gorgeous violin introduction and some lovely mantra chanting to stir the heart to practice.

Recorded at Adhisthana, August 2019.

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A conversation with two of the most experienced members of the Order in India, the pioneering Amoghasiddhi And Amritasiddhi from Nagpur. Mahamati explores with them the history of Triratna in India - and how a new generation of Indian Buddhists adopted a radical Dharma life in the name of freedom from oppression and liberation for all.

Recorded at Adhisthana in August 2019.

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Listen to the audio of this conversation

A picture paints a thousand words... here are some of the best from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering highlighting Sangha at its best!

With much gratitude to Jeremy Peters (@sanditthiko on Instagram), Sanghadhara, Candradasa and Erika Chalkey for the images.

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Lokabandhu hosts this special evening of story-telling from the Pali Canon - the story of Yasa and the golden slippers - brought to life by a young cast, songs and colourful costumes!

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The second evening of story-telling at the 2019 Triratna International Gathering was hosted by Jayaraja and friends. Featuring a king, courtiers, demons, galloping horses and the great Guru Padmasambhava himself, prepare yourself for an entertaining precis of how Padmasambhava came to Tibet.

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A wonderful first talk of the 2019 International Gathering, whose theme is ‘Alchemy of the Dharma’. The utterly delightful Ratnaguna takes us through the true miracle of transforming ourselves via the magic of a practice in which we also learn to let ourselves change. 

This is a beautiful, reflective, funny take on the challenges of the Dharma life. Ratnaguna’s breadth of reference is itself a joy: taking in Greek philosophy, Hans Christian Andersen, and writings on the nearness of death to life in any moment. All pointing to, opening into, an experience of freedom and deep beauty.

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Sanghamani with a great second talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering. Her theme on this Alchemy of the Dharma weekend is how we can transform ourselves in order to transform our communities. And she leads with fearlessness in discussing her own work and practice in this regard.

As a fundraiser at the cutting edge of the practice of connection – trying to forge a sense of mutually vital relationship with strangers (who are not necessarily pleased to find you at their door!) – Sanghamani calls on her rich experience of helping people move beyond their own fear. She also shares some moving accounts of her own transformation from an isolated, angry, pained young adulthood into someone who has dedicated her life to a path of love and its exemplification. In this she stands before us as a “luminous pearl” of that commitment to live in harmony with others.

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In the third and final talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering, Prasadacarin explores the theme of ‘transforming world’. Taking ‘everything is burning with the three fires of greed, hatred and delusion’ as his starting point, he poses the question: what are the alternatives to these fires?

The three jewels of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are a framework that could transform the world and Prasadacarin draws out what each jewel or refuge can offer. 

Building on the previous days’ themes of transforming self and transforming through Sangha, Prasadacarin expresses the conviction that making the Dharma available is our main responsibility and shares his confidence will help fundamentally change society for the better.

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"...[the International Gathering is] quite intentionally like a mix of a retreat and a festival...but it's a whole retreat and a whole festival happening at the same time!"

On the final full day of the 2019 Triratna International Gathering we tune in with Sanghamani, who gave one of the keynote talks, Sanjay from London and David, who is on the current men's Dharma Life course at Adhisthana, about how they've been finding the gathering.

Sharing their favourite moments - of conversations, the stories of transformation, puja and pancakes and more - we hear about how this event has been: like creating a heaven on earth and a chance to celebrate the good things that are happening in Triratna.

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News, event coverage, mantras and rituals, Dharma conversations among diverse voices from the Triratna Buddhist Community around the world, keeping you up-to-date with the latest in our sangha.

Subscribe to our Buddhist Voices Podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On others podcast networks  

Our longer form podcast, featuring great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that illuminate for modern times the Buddha’s example of how to live and find true freedom.

In the third and final talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering, Prasadacarin explores the theme of 'transforming world'. Taking 'everything is burning with the three fires of greed, hatred and delusion' as his starting point, he poses the question: what are the alternatives to these fires?

The three jewels of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are a framework that could transform the world and Prasadacarin draws out what each jewel or refuge can offer. 

Building on the previous days' themes of transforming self and transforming through Sangha, Prasadacarin expresses the conviction that making the Dharma available is our main responsibility and shares his confidence will help fundamentally change society for the better.

More from Alchemy of the Dharma

Download the talk on Free Buddhist Audio

Sanghamani with a great second talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering. Her theme on this Alchemy of the Dharma weekend is how we can transform ourselves in order to transform our communities. And she leads with fearlessness in discussing her own work and practice in this regard.

As a fundraiser at the cutting edge of the practice of connection – trying to forge a sense of mutually vital relationship with strangers (who are not necessarily pleased to find you at their door!) – Sanghamani calls on her rich experience of helping people move beyond their own fear. She also shares some moving accounts of her own transformation from an isolated, angry, pained young adulthood into someone who has dedicated her life to a path of love and its exemplification. In this she stands before us as a "luminous pearl" of that commitment to live in harmony with others. 

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Download the talk on Free Buddhist Audio

Sadayasihi is reunited with Gina Plant Cabrita and Christine Thuring who all first met on the 2014 Triratna International Gathering. They recall that Gathering and how, for each of them, it marked a pivotal moment in their lives - and what they did afterwards.

The conversation then turns to day 2 of the 2019 Triratna International Gathering and what's been happening. We hear more about the significance of the international dimension - in particular, how coming together in large numbers can both be an important opportunity to 'plug in' and become resourced but also to experience appreciation for our Sanghas.

Recorded at Adhisthana, 24th August 2019.

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Subscribe to The Buddhist Centre Online podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On other podcast networks

News, event coverage, mantras and rituals, Dharma conversations among diverse voices from the Triratna Buddhist Community around the world, keeping you up-to-date with the latest in our sangha.

Subscribe to our Buddhist Voices Podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On others podcast networks  

Our longer form podcast, featuring great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that illuminate for modern times the Buddha’s example of how to live and find true freedom.

The first lunchtime concert of the International retreat. 🎼Manidhara and Natalia Kieniewicz performing.

More soon! Follow on Instagram for previews of the concerts each day.

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From Ratnaguna's delightful talk at the 2019 Triratna International Gathering - Alchemy of the Dharma.

Listen to the full talk on Free Buddhist Audio  |  Listen on Soundcloud

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A wonderful first talk of the 2019 International Gathering, whose theme is 'Alchemy of the Dharma'. The utterly delightful Ratnaguna takes us through the true miracle of transforming ourselves via the magic of a practice in which we also learn to let ourselves change. 

This is a beautiful, reflective, funny take on the challenges of the Dharma life. Ratnaguna's breadth of reference is itself a joy: taking in Greek philosophy, Hans Christian Andersen, and writings on the nearness of death to life in any moment. All pointing to, opening into, an experience of freedom and deep beauty.

Listen out for his rendition of the Ugly Ducking song!

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Download the talk on Free Buddhist Audio

It's the first full day of the Triratna International Gathering and Adhisthana is basking in summer sunshine! 

In this short podcast we get a flavour of the 'Alchemy of the Dharma'. A couple of people share their highlights from the International Gathering so far - from the first talk by Ratnaguna on 'Transforming Self', a classic music concert after lunch, workshops on tai chi, yoga, the activities for children as well as authentic conversations and the possibility of ice cream!

Recorded at Adhisthana, 23rd August 2019.

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Subscribe to The Buddhist Centre Online podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On other podcast networks

News, event coverage, mantras and rituals, Dharma conversations among diverse voices from the Triratna Buddhist Community around the world, keeping you up-to-date with the latest in our sangha.

Subscribe to our Buddhist Voices Podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On others podcast networks  

Our longer form podcast, featuring great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that illuminate for modern times the Buddha’s example of how to live and find true freedom.