Ordinations at Akashavana

We are delighted to announce that the following women were publicly ordained at Akashavana, in Spain, on 11th September 2015:

Public preceptor: Parami
Suzie Tisch becomes Maitrihrdaya, a Sanskrit name meaning ‘She who has a heart of loving kindness’. (Long second ‘i’, dot under the second ‘r’ and long final ‘a’)
Westernised spelling: Maitrihridaya
Private preceptor: Satyapada

Claudia Bock becomes Karunaseva, a Sanskrit name meaning ‘In the service of compassion’. (Dot under ‘n’ long final ‘a’)
Westernised spelling: Karunaseva
Private...

A Buddhist contribution to the European refugee crisis

As the refugee crisis continues in Europe, many people have been moved to action this week.

In Sweden, members of the Triratna Buddhist Order joined a Stockholm demonstration in support of refugees arriving in Sweden. In Manchester and London, UK, Order members Amitasuri and Ambaravajri collected clothing, which they drove to the refugee camp at Calais, northern France, in Amitasuri’s van.

Amitasuri says: “ We made it easy to give. People flexed their compassion muscles.

I put out a message on my Facebook page for people...

Indian mitras gather in very large numbers indeed

How many mitras do you know? If you are reading this in India, the answer is probably, A lot!

There are around 10,000 mitras in India (where they are known as dhammamitras), including a staggering 850 women who have asked for ordination. With numbers like this, the Indian Mitra Convenors have their work cut out. This year, so far, they have organised three large mitra conventions. 

Nagaketu writes: “The first took place at the Dikshabhumi in Nagpur (site of Dr Ambedkar’s...