An invitation from the International Order Team 

“Broadly speaking, we can say that the lotus has both a macrocosmic significance and a microcosmic significance; that is to say, it represents the universe as a whole and also the individual being. And just as the lotus consists of many layers of petals, some without, some within, so both the universe and the individual consist of many different layers, many different levels”.

 

Sangharakshita, The Drama of Cosmic Enlightenment

This Area Order weekend felt as if it had resonances on micro and macro levels as the first large Order gathering in person for the Area since the pandemic began. There were many different layers to the event as part of the unfolding practice of Sangha. Welcome back to Adhisthana!

Some events were streamed live so you can participate at home. These sessions are indicated below with the links to re-watch.

Thursday 19th August

7.45 – 9.30pm:

Welcome by Aryajaya & Lokeshvara

The Urgyen Sangharakshita Trust launch – Mahamati

Dedication Ceremony

Friday 20th August

7.00 – 8.30am: Morning meditation

10am – 12.30pm: Presence and Heart

Dharma input on Friday and Saturday mornings will be from Vidyamala on the Satipatthana Sutta and LoJong Trainings.

Some words from Vidyamala:

I have been exploring this great pairing in my own practice within the context of Satipatthana and Lojong (mind training within the Mahayana and Vajrayana). Satipatthana reflections, on the one hand, use self-examination to help us un-wind the clinging to the illusion of an autonomous self that is the cause of so much suffering. Lojong approaches, on the other hand, ‘flip the script’ and get us to un-wind this central cause of dukkha by learning to continually orient ourselves towards others with an attitude of love and compassion. These two great approaches beautifully complement each other.

3:00 – 3:30pm: Introduction to Precious Teachers Exhibition – short talk by Suvajra

4.30 – 5.30pm: Going Deeper

Satipatthana study with Dhammarati

Mind Training Study with Ratnadharini

Kalayana Mitra Yoga with Sanghadevi

Tonglen Meditation with Lokeshvara

7.45 – 9.30pm:

Welcome to new Order Members

The Urgyen Sangharakshita Trust: The Gurus’ Adhisthana – a talk by Subhuti 

Ritual led by Vimalamati

Saturday 21st August

7.00 – 8.30am: Morning meditation

10am – 12.30pm: Presence and Heart

Dharma input over two mornings will be from Vidyamala on the Satipatthana Sutta and LoJong Trainings. 

4.30 – 5.30pm: Going Deeper

Satipatthana study with Dhammarati

Mind Training Study with Ratnadharini

Kalayana Mitra Yoga with Sanghadevi

Tonglen Meditation with Lokeshvara

7.45 – 9.30pm:  The Urgyen Sangharakshita Trust

Update from the Complete Works

Chattrul Rimpoche – a short talk by Paramartha

Green Tara puja and visualisation – Dayananadi

Sunday 22nd August

7.00 – 7.20:  Open Meditation

7.30 – 8.30: Bodhicitta Meditation – Vijayamala

10 – 10.30am: Covid Response Update and Thanks

The Abhayaratna Trust, Karuna and Future Dharma Fund have worked together to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in India. They would like to give us all an update on that appeal.

10.30 – 11am: Final thanks from International Order Office

11.30 – 12.30pm: Ritual to end the gathering – Vidyamala