The Order Office

A force for good in the world

The Order Office

A force for good in the world

What is the Order Office?

The Order Office is a working group of Order members, including the International Order Convenors and the Order Office Team, that operate from a number of locations around the world. We provide support for the International Order Convenors and manage the Order’s information, administration, support and development worldwide.

The Triratna Trust

The International Order Office is overseen by the Triratna Trust, which is entrusted with making sure that the money given through Order Dana is spent wisely. The trustees of the charity are elected each year and are its guardians. They have the legal responsibility to ensure that the charity operates in line with its charter and remains solvent.

The Trust’s objective is the advancement of the Buddhist religion. In particular:

1) To encourage Order members and others to live in accordance with the teaching of the Buddha.

2) To support ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order.

3) To maintain close oversight of the Order Office’s work, with the guidance of the Triratna Buddhist Order and in co-operation with other groups.

Read the 2023 annual report

Read about our partnerships

Meet the Order Convenors

Ethics Order Convenor

I came across Triratna in Leeds in the late eighties. It did the trick, and I threw myself into work and practice. I was ordained in 1992 at Guhyaloka, when I was twenty four.

In 1993, I was one of four shiny Order members who headed north to Newcastle (UK) to establish a Buddhist centre.

In 2006, I moved to London. I continued working in the arts, primarily through writing and poetry, which I had begun doing in the 90s. In 2011, I moved to East Sussex, with my partner and baby twins. In 2015 I became chair of Brighton Buddhist Centre, a role I held until the end of summer 2020.

Being a ‘Subhadassi’ means that I have the ability to see potential in people, in institutions, in ideas, in words or in material objects. On a good day, I can help this beauty-in-potential to manifest. This seeing potential, and working to realise it, is something I want to bring to my work for the Order.

I have been Subhadassi since I was twenty four, and I continue to be inspired by Bhante’s beautiful vision of the Order as the thousand armed Avaloketisvara. I am keen to support the order, both individually and collectively, to close the gap between the realities of our lives, and that vision.

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I came across what was the FWBO in Kathmandu in 1993, as I was travelling around India and Nepal. I am Australian and on returning to Sydney, I began to engage with the Sydney Sangha but it wasn’t until 2000 that I made the leap to come to the UK to work in the Evolution shop in Cambridge.

I wasn’t aware of what I was getting myself into but I worked at Windhorse:evolution for 15 years, until it closed in 2015. I was inspired by the opportunity to live a Dharma life with other Buddhists, the incredible team work, the hard work and the creativity. I was often touched by the everyday kindnesses, co-operation and the friendship that was offered in that. It was also very challenging and I found those challenges stretched me and helped me grow personally and spiritually.

In 2006 I was ordained at a one off retreat in Dunkeld by Padmasuri and she gave me my name and the Vajrasattva practice.

After Windhorse:evolution closed I spent 2 years working at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre. I enjoyed teaching meditation, yoga, leading festival days and Sangha night. I was then approached to consider the role of International Order Convenor and after some serious thought decided that I could serve the Order in this way. It is a real privilege and delight to be able to meet so many Order Members from all over the Triratna world. I hope to help our Order flourish and be proud of the community Bhante has created, and that we keep growing and deepening with all our efforts towards the wisdom and compassion of Awakening.

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I was ordained in 2002, and spent most of my Dharma life working in the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, UK. I moved to Shrewsbury in 2016 with my partner, Vajradevi, to help out with the Centre there. I was invited to be Regional Order Convenor for the men’s Midlands region, and then the Order delegate for the UK & Ireland. I enjoyed this different strand of serving the Order, having been very involved in the Movement institutions all my Dharma life.

I worked for the International Order Office as the manager for a few years from 2016, and rejoined in 2021 as a trustee of the associated charity, the Triratna Trust, and then its Chair.

While I was in the process of recruiting for an International Order Convenor to succeed Saraha, I ended up being nominated myself, and after much consideration, I decided to stand, and was appointed.

I love the opportunity of being involved with so many dedicated and inspiring Dharma practitioners, while serving this institution of our Order, which exists to strengthen the “mycelial network” of kalyana mitrata within the Order.

Ethics Order Convenor

I came across Triratna in Leeds in the late eighties. It did the trick, and I threw myself into work and practice. I was ordained in 1992 at Guhyaloka, when I was twenty four.

In 1993, I was one of four shiny Order members who headed north to Newcastle (UK) to establish a Buddhist centre.

In 2006, I moved to London. I continued working in the arts, primarily through writing and poetry, which I had begun doing in the 90s. In 2011, I moved to East Sussex, with my partner and baby twins. In 2015 I became chair of Brighton Buddhist Centre, a role I held until the end of summer 2020.

Being a ‘Subhadassi’ means that I have the ability to see potential in people, in institutions, in ideas, in words or in material objects. On a good day, I can help this beauty-in-potential to manifest. This seeing potential, and working to realise it, is something I want to bring to my work for the Order.

I have been Subhadassi since I was twenty four, and I continue to be inspired by Bhante’s beautiful vision of the Order as the thousand armed Avaloketisvara. I am keen to support the order, both individually and collectively, to close the gap between the realities of our lives, and that vision.

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I came across what was the FWBO in Kathmandu in 1993, as I was travelling around India and Nepal. I am Australian and on returning to Sydney, I began to engage with the Sydney Sangha but it wasn’t until 2000 that I made the leap to come to the UK to work in the Evolution shop in Cambridge.

I wasn’t aware of what I was getting myself into but I worked at Windhorse:evolution for 15 years, until it closed in 2015. I was inspired by the opportunity to live a Dharma life with other Buddhists, the incredible team work, the hard work and the creativity. I was often touched by the everyday kindnesses, co-operation and the friendship that was offered in that. It was also very challenging and I found those challenges stretched me and helped me grow personally and spiritually.

In 2006 I was ordained at a one off retreat in Dunkeld by Padmasuri and she gave me my name and the Vajrasattva practice.

After Windhorse:evolution closed I spent 2 years working at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre. I enjoyed teaching meditation, yoga, leading festival days and Sangha night. I was then approached to consider the role of International Order Convenor and after some serious thought decided that I could serve the Order in this way. It is a real privilege and delight to be able to meet so many Order Members from all over the Triratna world. I hope to help our Order flourish and be proud of the community Bhante has created, and that we keep growing and deepening with all our efforts towards the wisdom and compassion of Awakening.

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I was ordained in 2002, and spent most of my Dharma life working in the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, UK. I moved to Shrewsbury in 2016 with my partner, Vajradevi, to help out with the Centre there. I was invited to be Regional Order Convenor for the men’s Midlands region, and then the Order delegate for the UK & Ireland. I enjoyed this different strand of serving the Order, having been very involved in the Movement institutions all my Dharma life.

I worked for the International Order Office as the manager for a few years from 2016, and rejoined in 2021 as a trustee of the associated charity, the Triratna Trust, and then its Chair.

While I was in the process of recruiting for an International Order Convenor to succeed Saraha, I ended up being nominated myself, and after much consideration, I decided to stand, and was appointed.

I love the opportunity of being involved with so many dedicated and inspiring Dharma practitioners, while serving this institution of our Order, which exists to strengthen the “mycelial network” of kalyana mitrata within the Order.

Meet the Team

Assistant to the International Order Convenors & Team Coordinator

Born in Liverpool and brought up in the North West I have been a ‘seeker’ since I was a young teen. I was looking for meaning in life and I explored Buddhist writing for many years but without really taking action. In my mid-30s my partner and I were raising our young son, I was exhausted from working in the university sector, and I began to realise that I had little enthusiasm about my life. I went on a retreat at Taraloka and that was it – I really saw how the Dharma could change my life and give me the sense of purpose I had been missing. I worked for Buddhafield for almost five years and practice with the Southampton Buddhist Centre. I was ordained in 2021 and was given the White Tara sadhana. My name means ‘she who has the mind or intelligence of the blue lotus’ and reminds me to keep open, keep unfolding and to allow the mystery of the Dharma to change me.

Order Information Service Assistant

I came across the Movement at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre in 1990 when I was an art student, aged 19. Learning the metta bhavana had a significant and unexpected effect on me, as I wasn’t looking for a spiritual path, but accidentally stumbled onto one. I was ordained in Tuscany in 1998 while working with a group of friends in a Windhorse Evolution shop in Glasgow. After serving as the Chair of the Glasgow Centre for around 11 years I started working for Dharmachakra, with whom I’ve been involved as a trustee and sometime volunteer for many years. And I’ve been working with the Order Office team since 2021.

Dana and Events Manager

I was ordained in 2022 at Tiratanaloka. The meaning of my name is very similar to Utpaladhi’s so we will be two lotuses working together! I am thrilled to be engaging in my first TBRL job to see what these conditions are like- it already feels strange reporting in, in a work context! My background is HR, Due Diligence Compliance and Business Development which I will continue to be doing alongside this role for a rehabilitation provider for people with persistent symptoms of pain or fatigue. Both jobs are fully remote which suits me very well, and in Bristol, I have the great fortune of being able to use a shared ‘dharma desking’ co working space in a local community centre so am able to do this alongside others who work for dharmacakra, and other organisations. I have always had a very active inner Party Girl who loves to organise events so I am very pleased that this can be fully utilised in this role with the order office. I look forward to meeting and getting to know more of my fellow Order friends through this context in the time ahead.

Finance Officer

I have been a member of Triratna Buddhist Order for over 30 years now and have worked more or less full time for the Movement since then, in all sorts of different capacities – from helping to found the Buddhafield Festival to serving as Subhuti’s secretary. These days I am mostly to be found bookkeeping various Triratna projects from my home of many years in Glastonbury, where I live with my partner, her son and two cats. I love building work and am also intimately involved in the renovation of Alfoxton Park into a retreat centre focusing on meditation, poetry, and the arts.

Shabda Compiler

I was brought up as a Quaker and lived in a large community in Bethnal Green for ten years before coming into contact with the Movement. I was ordained in Tuscany in 1984 at the age of 35 and worked as an editor and typesetter with Windhorse Publications, at first in Bethnal Green, then in Norwich and Sheffield, before joining the business team in Birmingham. Since January 2009 I have collated, printed, and distributed Shabda from an office in Moseley. I still assist Windhorse when required, and I am currently helping to prepare all Sangharakshita’s books, articles, and papers for publication as part of his Complete Works.

Shabda Compiler

I’d been interested in Eastern religions for some time, but it wasn’t until I suffered severe depression and anxiety in my mid thirties that I decided I needed to change, and so began to take Buddhism seriously. I first visited the Bristol Buddhist Centre in 1996 and have been involved ever since, being ordained in 2003 at Padmaloka, and for many years have been a member of the Sangha Night team. I have been married 42 years, have two adult children and four grandchildren, and live in Chipping Sodbury. I’d worked in conventional employment all my adult life until the end of 2023, when I decided to semi-retire. The role of Shabda Compiler is my first team based right livelihood job.

Assistant to the International Order Convenors & Team Coordinator

Born in Liverpool and brought up in the North West I have been a ‘seeker’ since I was a young teen. I was looking for meaning in life and I explored Buddhist writing for many years but without really taking action. In my mid-30s my partner and I were raising our young son, I was exhausted from working in the university sector, and I began to realise that I had little enthusiasm about my life. I went on a retreat at Taraloka and that was it – I really saw how the Dharma could change my life and give me the sense of purpose I had been missing. I worked for Buddhafield for almost five years and practice with the Southampton Buddhist Centre. I was ordained in 2021 and was given the White Tara sadhana. My name means ‘she who has the mind or intelligence of the blue lotus’ and reminds me to keep open, keep unfolding and to allow the mystery of the Dharma to change me.

Order Information Service Assistant

I came across the Movement at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre in 1990 when I was an art student, aged 19. Learning the metta bhavana had a significant and unexpected effect on me, as I wasn’t looking for a spiritual path, but accidentally stumbled onto one. I was ordained in Tuscany in 1998 while working with a group of friends in a Windhorse Evolution shop in Glasgow. After serving as the Chair of the Glasgow Centre for around 11 years I started working for Dharmachakra, with whom I’ve been involved as a trustee and sometime volunteer for many years. And I’ve been working with the Order Office team since 2021.

Dana and Events Manager

I was ordained in 2022 at Tiratanaloka. The meaning of my name is very similar to Utpaladhi’s so we will be two lotuses working together! I am thrilled to be engaging in my first TBRL job to see what these conditions are like- it already feels strange reporting in, in a work context! My background is HR, Due Diligence Compliance and Business Development which I will continue to be doing alongside this role for a rehabilitation provider for people with persistent symptoms of pain or fatigue. Both jobs are fully remote which suits me very well, and in Bristol, I have the great fortune of being able to use a shared ‘dharma desking’ co working space in a local community centre so am able to do this alongside others who work for dharmacakra, and other organisations. I have always had a very active inner Party Girl who loves to organise events so I am very pleased that this can be fully utilised in this role with the order office. I look forward to meeting and getting to know more of my fellow Order friends through this context in the time ahead.

Finance Officer

I have been a member of Triratna Buddhist Order for over 30 years now and have worked more or less full time for the Movement since then, in all sorts of different capacities – from helping to found the Buddhafield Festival to serving as Subhuti’s secretary. These days I am mostly to be found bookkeeping various Triratna projects from my home of many years in Glastonbury, where I live with my partner, her son and two cats. I love building work and am also intimately involved in the renovation of Alfoxton Park into a retreat centre focusing on meditation, poetry, and the arts.

Shabda Compiler

I was brought up as a Quaker and lived in a large community in Bethnal Green for ten years before coming into contact with the Movement. I was ordained in Tuscany in 1984 at the age of 35 and worked as an editor and typesetter with Windhorse Publications, at first in Bethnal Green, then in Norwich and Sheffield, before joining the business team in Birmingham. Since January 2009 I have collated, printed, and distributed Shabda from an office in Moseley. I still assist Windhorse when required, and I am currently helping to prepare all Sangharakshita’s books, articles, and papers for publication as part of his Complete Works.

Shabda Compiler

I’d been interested in Eastern religions for some time, but it wasn’t until I suffered severe depression and anxiety in my mid thirties that I decided I needed to change, and so began to take Buddhism seriously. I first visited the Bristol Buddhist Centre in 1996 and have been involved ever since, being ordained in 2003 at Padmaloka, and for many years have been a member of the Sangha Night team. I have been married 42 years, have two adult children and four grandchildren, and live in Chipping Sodbury. I’d worked in conventional employment all my adult life until the end of 2023, when I decided to semi-retire. The role of Shabda Compiler is my first team based right livelihood job.

Meet the Trustees

Joined the Triratna Trust in 2014

Achara lives in Sheffield and was ordained in 2000 by Padmavajra in India. He has contributed to Sheffield Buddhist Centre, Windhorse publications, Vajraloka, Windhorse Evolution and other situations around Triratna. Achara has a fascination with organisations and communication.

He says: “I have been captivated by the Dharma since I first discovered it as a schoolboy. It took me twenty years to find a teacher and when I encountered Sangharakshita and the Sangha I knew I was ‘home’.

I regard the Triratna Community as a rare and precious jewel and I want to contribute whenever I can. The Triratna Trust plays an important part in the health and continuity of the Order, so when I was asked if I would be a Trustee, I was pleased to accept.”

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I came across what was the FWBO in Kathmandu in 1993, as I was travelling around India and Nepal. I am Australian and on returning to Sydney, I began to engage with the Sydney Sangha but it wasn’t until 2000 that I made the leap to come to the UK to work in the Evolution shop in Cambridge.

I wasn’t aware of what I was getting myself into but I worked at Windhorse:evolution for 15 years, until it closed in 2015. I was inspired by the opportunity to live a Dharma life with other Buddhists, the incredible team work, the hard work and the creativity. I was often touched by the everyday kindnesses, co-operation and the friendship that was offered in that. It was also very challenging and I found those challenges stretched me and helped me grow personally and spiritually.

In 2006 I was ordained at a one off retreat in Dunkeld by Padmasuri and she gave me my name and the Vajrasattva practice.

After Windhorse:evolution closed I spent 2 years working at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre. I enjoyed teaching meditation, yoga, leading festival days and Sangha night. I was then approached to consider the role of International Order Convenor and after some serious thought decided that I could serve the Order in this way. It is a real privilege and delight to be able to meet so many Order Members from all over the Triratna world. I hope to help our Order flourish and be proud of the community Bhante has created, and that we keep growing and deepening with all our efforts towards the wisdom and compassion of Awakening.

International Order Convenor & Trustee of the Triratna Trust

I was ordained in 2002, and spent most of my Dharma life working in the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, UK. I moved to Shrewsbury in 2016 with my partner, Vajradevi, to help out with the Centre there. I was invited to be Regional Order Convenor for the men’s Midlands region, and then the Order delegate for the UK & Ireland. I enjoyed this different strand of serving the Order, having been very involved in the Movement institutions all my Dharma life.

I worked for the International Order Office as the manager for a few years from 2016, and rejoined in 2021 as a trustee of the associated charity, the Triratna Trust, and then its Chair.

While I was in the process of recruiting for an International Order Convenor to succeed Saraha, I ended up being nominated myself, and after much consideration, I decided to stand, and was appointed.

I love the opportunity of being involved with so many dedicated and inspiring Dharma practitioners, while serving this institution of our Order, which exists to strengthen the “mycelial network” of kalyana mitrata within the Order.

I came across the Movement in Glasgow in the late 1970’s. Bhante and his Vision of life and Evolution answered many of my existential questions. The dynamic and inspired people that I grew to know gave me an excellent context to practice within.

I’ve been in many Triratna situations since then, helping wherever I could. These days I live in Ipswich and am wholeheartedly engaged with our community here. Currently I’m a Regional Order Convenor for the Eastern Region. It’s great to be able to support the health of our Order as a Trustee.

I came across the FWBO (as it was then) in Birmingham in the 1980’s. I soon realised this was something I wanted to throw myself into and moved to the London Buddhist Centre where I lived in residential communities and worked in the Cherry Orchard, a ‘Right Livelihood’ cafe. In 2000 I moved back to Birmingham to work with Vajradevi fundraising for what became Akashavana. I was ordained during this time, in 2002.

Since that project ended, I have remained in Birmingham, working in the NHS, currently specialising in data protection.

I am inspired by both the myth and the reality of the Order.

I came across the Dharma as a teenager from a book my dad brought home from his travels to Asia. In 1990 I went to Thailand where I learnt to meditate and took the refuges formally, then came across Triratna in Kathmandu the following year. I lived and worked around the London Buddhist Centre for 16 years, including working at the Wild Cherry and living in communities. I was ordained in 2003 at Il Convento in Italy. In 2008 I moved to Tiratanaloka in Wales, where I stayed for 10 years, moving to live and work at Akashavana in Spain after that.

Since returning to the UK I have lived in Shrewsbury, where I work as a care assistant in a nursing home.

In this rather troubled world I see the Triratna Order and Community as a shining example of how working with our minds, communication and strong friendship can create a better, kinder environment for ourselves and others to live.