Editor’s Note: This article was first printed in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of the Vajra Bell. It is republished here with the permission of the author Samayasri.
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It seems appropriate — although not straightforward — to be writing about the subject of loving kindness in the context of my work.
Of course, it is deeply appropriate, because the sector I work for embodies human altruism. Most organizations like mine — the International Rescue Committee — have profound roots in the same human desire...
Starting in a warm bubble, like a womb, I find ways to see deeply into how I belong. I recollect how the Buddha must have felt when touching the earth to receive her recognition. I imagine he sees that her breath is one and the same as his breath.
I take that sense of safety and belonging as a way to deepen my appreciation of impermanence and all it teaches me, like how this precious sense of connection is available to me...
In each issue of the Vajra Bell, our Triratna centers in the U.S. and Canada have the opportunity to report in on their recent activities.
Here are their reports for December 2025.
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Aryaloka Buddhist Center Newmarket, NH
At Aryaloka Buddhist and at Triratna Centers worldwide, when sanghas gather for celebrations, Dharma teaching and study often are the focus. That was the case at Aryaloka’s Order/Mitra Day in August this past year when Amala facilitated a day-long study of the Perfection of Wisdom...
Welcome to our solitary retreat space for Buddhist practitioners of the Triratna Buddhist Community. Located at Nulla Vale, in central Victoria, Australia. Supported and run by the SkyRock Community made up of Members of the Triratna Buddhist Order who live on the property separately from the solitary retreat space. Our vision is to provide a much needed dedicated solitary space for our community.
To make a booking or check availability email Dantacitta: dantachitta [at] gmail.com. Book for a solitary...
Aryaka höll i denna träff. Efter en inledande meditation introducerade Aryaka kvällnes tema. Han utgick fån en text som han har skrivit i samband med en kurs som han har hållit i. (Texten finns bifogat som PDF-dokument.)
Aryaka reflekterade bland annat kring vilka hinder som kan finnas för att engagera sig i klimat-, freds- eller andra sociala rörelser. Trots att det finns en längtan att komma ur vår vanmakt, bryta isoleringen och försöka finna en gemenskap...
I run a regular drop in Dakini evening practice on the traditional monthly dakini day dates. It is online at 7.30-9pm GMT and open to all Order members.
Whether you are curious and interested in who the dakinis are; a complete novice or a seasoned dakini practitioner you are more than welcome to join in.The evenings are practice based and no prior knowledge of the dakinis or any dakini practice is needed.
The evenings normally include a led Dakini mandala practice based on...
When I was in Norwich in December, I visited Sarvananda, who wished to make a short video, thanking the Abhayaratna Trust and its supporters for helping him go on retreat by providing a grant. Due to having a ‘bad cold’ at the time he asked his auntie Jean to speak on his behalf. I was moved. (click on image to watch the video)
If you are someone who donates to the Abhayaratna Trust, or have benefitted from the Trust in some way,...
Bodhidasa poetically explores the image of the reclining Buddha - at his physical passing, the Buddha did not stop being a force for good, did not meet a final end in oblivion - and neither do we. The Buddha acts as an inspiration, a story, an influence, a guide, an exemplar - and that continues in the lives of those who remember him. Excerpted from the talk entitled Death Is Not the End - Parinirvana given...
