Reinstatement of Dhammachari Varabhadra

Tonight (Saturday 26th June), via WhatsApp over a quavering internet connection, I performed a very happy duty. As Dhammachari Varabhadra’s Preceptor, I informed him that his suspension has been lifted and he is once more an Order member in good standing. We then recited the Vajrasattva Mantra together and he put on his kesa again, after which we recited the Refuges and Precepts and I chanted the verses of blessing. Though the picture was very fuzzy and the audio was...

Further Information About the Ratnapani Case

Dear Order members,

I know some Order members have had questions about the recent expulsion of Ratnapani from the Order. In fact today I received a letter signed by 45 Order members.Together with my deputies, and Lokeshvara and Dhammarati, I have been working for a number of days on the letter below responding to many of the questions I had already received. I hope that what I’ve written will go some way towards answering concerns as well...

Autism and Buddhist practice: Call for submissions from BIPOC/BAME communities

Dr Chris Jarrell, a UK-based retired social work lecturer and counsellor, is asking for submissions from members of our BIPOC/BAME communities to input into his research on how Buddhism can help autistic people improve their wellbeing.

Chris, who is autistic and a practicing Buddhist, is in the process of editing a book of personal accounts of autistic people and their experiences of Buddhist practice, which will be published in 2022. He is hoping to get input from BIPOC/...