Here is the talk I gave from last years International Gathering.

On the theme of The Alchemy of the Dharma, I was asked to talk about the practice of Sangha and how we can transform ourselves in order to transform our communities. I talk about my work on Karuna appeals.

“As a fundraiser at the cutting edge of the practice of connection – trying to forge a sense of mutually vital relationship with strangers (who are not necessarily pleased to find you at their door!)...

For some years now the Wellington Buddhist Centre has been blessed to have Suryagita in our Sangha. She has a beautiful voice and extraordinary musical ability which we have benefitted greatly from in every mantra she has ever been present for. But that’s not all!

On special occasions Suryagita has got together with other talented members of our sangha and offered song. Songs of welcome, songs of blessing, songs of appreciation, songs of celebration and songs of joy.

In the last year, we have...

The ‘Vajrayana’ means ‘the way of the vajra’. Satyalila explores and explains how the vajra symbolizes the capacity to transform our darkest and most difficult experience into the liberated energy of awakening. She describes her personal experience of this and concludes with an exploration of the five Buddha mandala as a way of bringing powerful diverse energies into creative, harmonious relationship.

From the talk Imagination, the Vajrayana & Us, part of the series Imagination, the Buddhist Tradition...