In the last 50 years, Subhuti has played a major role in the establishment of an international Buddhist movement, teaching extensively in India, Hungary, Mexico and the UK. As the driving force behind the building of the LBC and a leading figure throughout its history, we want to gather to hear about his life and celebrate his achievements. On this special evening, he’ll be in conversation with Manjusiha.

In this excellent talk - the last in a series of three - Subhuti discusses the development of semi-monastic institutions within the Triratna Buddhist Order as an alternative to traditional monasticism, allowing people to live and work together in order to deeply experience and practice the Dharma. With his usual passion and clarity he evokes participation in this "semi-monastic environment" as a radical alternative to the alienation and exploitation often encountered living and working in conventional society.

The Five Factors of Semi-Monasticism

Subhuti outlines five relevant factors as embodied in these aspects of living a Dharma life:

• Brahmacharya (overcoming polarization)
• Detachment from possessions
• Simplicity of lifestyle
• Transforming one's life purpose to service
• Communal living

Overcoming polarization

Subhuti reminds us that Buddhist practice aims to transcend all fixed identities and polarities, as exemplified by the Buddha rejecting limited categories when asked about his own nature. Meditation and other Buddhist practices can lessen the sense of a fixed divide between self and other.

Detachment from possessions

He then explores how identifying ourselves by way of our possessions actually binds us, in contrasting with the Buddha's simple life with few belongings. The semi-monastic path means disentangling from attachment to things and money.

Simplicity of lifestyle

Modern life is increasingly complex and mediated by screens of one kind or another, which can cause alienation. Spiritual progress requires simplicity and grounding in immediate experience.

A life of service

Instead of pursuing a career for identity, we have the chance as Buddhists to re-orient our life's purpose towards serving something greater - the Dharma - through institutions that benefit others.

Communal living

Residential Buddhist communities provide an opportunity to go beyond narrow self-identity by deeply engaging with others who share the same values, and sense of commitment to them, in a supportive environment.

Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre, May 2024.

In his second talk on semi-monasticism as a practice and essential part of Sangharakshita's vision of the Dharma life, Subhuti discusses the need to understand the Buddha's own nature in order to grasp the significance of semi-monastic institutions. He does this by opening up seven themes that capture the essence of the path in terms of how we live and work.

The Buddha's freedom from craving

Subhuti begins by evoking the Buddha as free from all craving, attachment and longing, dwelling in a state of blissful detachment and harmony.

The Brahma realms and polarity

If such states are to be accessible to us, we need to practise them. Subhuti explores the Buddhist belief in realms of higher consciousness (Brahma realms or brahmaviharas) where one transcends polarities like male/female identity.

Paths to overcoming sexual polarity

In terms of practice itself, two paths are described:

1. Deep meditation to dwell in the brahma state beyond polarity
2. Making sexual relationships more subtle and "deva-like"/divine.

The complexity of sex and relationships

It's complicated! Here Subhuti discusses the complexity of human sexual and romantic drives, egos, projections and attachments that need transforming.

Transforming relationships

How do we then conduct healthy relationships? Subhuti recommends having an independent life, not being overly attached, and seeing our partner as an individual.

Institutions supporting the path of Brahmacarya

Triratna has long offered various supports to this model of practice: single-sex communities, team-based 'Right Livelihood' businesses and retreats can all provide an environment to experience freedom from sexual polarities.

Exploring This Teaching

Subhuti invites us to explore this teaching further for ourselves through intensive retreat and connecting with Sangharakshita's writings on the third precept, which deals with ethical sexual conduct and the active practice of contentment. He concludes his talk by acknowledging the sensitivity of this topic for many people, and looking ahead to engaging with the other aspects!

Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre, May 2024.