Womens Mitra Convenor at the London Buddhist Centre. 

We are looking for someone Dharmically inspired, friendly and approachable to fill the role and to work with Kusalasara (the other mitra convenor) at the LBC. The deadline for applications is 24th July, however if you are interested and haven't time to make a full application, please get in touch. There is a full description of the role below. If you'd like to get in touch beforehand to discuss anything or sound it out, please do. Kusalasara@lbc.org.uk

Mitra convening in its broadest sense: Creating conditions for women to take the steps towards becoming mitras and to oversee that whole journey, from first enquiry to the actual ceremony and then into a study group. You need to have a strong feel for what becoming a mitra means and be able to communicate that. 

Supporting a thriving mitra sangha: Core to the role is making sure that study groups happen and supporting the Dharmacarinis who lead them. You would also organise events for women at different levels of commitment - including ‘What is a mitra?’ days, mitra days and events specifically for women who have asked for ordination. Supporting women who have asked for ordination also means helping them have clarity about what their next steps are and staying in touch with Tiratanaloka.

Qualities: You need to be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people of different ages, backgrounds and temperaments. You’ll be meeting people 1:1 and in groups and will be called on to respond to many different situations.

Ideally you would be someone who is already teaching, or willing to teach at our public classes, co-leading or supporting retreats etc. The people attending classes and retreats are the next mitras so the mitra convenors need to be visible and approachable.

The role includes quite a lot of admin, and organisation skills will be needed .

Kalyana Mitrata: The role is that of a kalyana mitra. As such you would

• Have on-going experience and understanding of, and enthusiasm for, kalyana mitrata in practice
• Have on-going experience and understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the structures that support the life of the Order and movement, for example, Chapters, Centre activities, Order weekends Conventions, retreats
• Be in harmony with the spirit of the Order and without difficulties or reservations with the Order and Triratna Buddhist Community.
• Have no major unaddressed difficulties with other Order members. Ideally, you’d have a wide range of established friendships with Order members and have the capacity to deal with conflict
• Be in good contact with your own kalyana mitras and Preceptors and have a positive connection with Bhante
• Be in harmony and sympathy with the LBC council, especially the Chair (Suryagupta)
• Be in harmony and sympathy with the other LBC mitra convenors (Kusalasara, Amalayodhin and Dayanatha) 

Commitments: Mitra ceremonies on festival days (5 per year). You’ll introduce each new mitra that you’ve been supporting.

Mitra convenors' gatherings (2 per year) at Adhisthana and Taraloka and Tiratanaloka. These gatherings are an important source of knowledge, experience and spiritual friendship. It also connects the mitra convenor to the wider movement. 

You’ll be part of the women’s team and be one of the order members supporting the mitras on that team.

Working at the LBC: The mitra convenors role is an Order appointment that also has to be agreed by the LBC Council. The LBC will offer financial support for the role. Working at the LBC is an opportunity to practise simplicity, and the financial package reflects this. Living on support means having your basic living costs met (rent, food and bills), plus some spending money, as well as a generous retreat allowance and some basic cover for clothing and medical care. Every support package is individually discussed and agreed. Please get in touch with Samantavajra@lbc.org.uk if you have questions about whether your financial needs could be met in this arrangement. 

Application: Please send your letter of application for the role, with as much detail as you can, including your inspiration for wishing to serve the Sangha in this way and your ability to carry out the role in practice, to Kusalasara, by July 24th. 

Mitra convening is an Order Appointment and letters will be circulated to the local dharmacarinis and who will be invited to get in touch with you and/or arrange to meet up. It will be essential to meet both Kusalasara as the ongoing mitra convenor and Suryagupta as Chair of the LBC.

You'll then be required to speak to Samantavajra (as finance manager) for an overview of your support needs before attending a meeting of the LBC dharmacarinis on 21st August who will make the recommendation to the LBC Council. 

The Council will make a decision on 5th Sept and we’d like you to start as soon as possible after that.