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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

The Money Issue (The Dharma Toolkit Daily, Episode 13)

By Centre Team on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 22:54

Communities of all kinds all over the world have been facing up to the huge economic impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing lockdown. In the Triratna Buddhist Community this has meant financial stress at Buddhist Centres and an urgent need for help navigating the next few months, which will be crucial to the survival of many Centres, large and small.

Enter our two guests! Amalavajra and Danayutta are two former investment bankers, now working hard with Future Dharma Fund to...

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Abhayaratna Trust

Update on support for Order members during the pandemic

By jinavamsa on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 15:31

Update on support for Order members during the pandemic

By jinavamsa on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 15:31

Since March 19th, Abhayaratna Trust, the Order’s care network, has been in touch with Order members around the world who have been experiencing financial hardship as a result of the spread of Covid-19. So far, the charity has given modest grants to 23 Order members living in Mexico, the United States, Spain, India and the UK, and expects to give further grants in the coming months.

The majority of grants have been to those who are self-employed and badly affected by...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Only One Thing Among Many - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 7

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 12:52

Only One Thing Among Many - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 7

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 9 Apr, 2020 - 12:52

“Everything arises in dependence on conditions”. Even if you are relatively new to Buddhism you might be familiar with this concept (often summarised as ‘conditionality’) and even if you are not, it makes sense, in the way that the law of gravity makes sense. But do we live as if we believed that everything arises in dependence on conditions? Or do we secretly believe that if we can sort out the world around us, fix it somehow, nothing bad will...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Letting Go - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 6

By kusaladevi on Wed, 8 Apr, 2020 - 18:22

Letting Go - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 6

By kusaladevi on Wed, 8 Apr, 2020 - 18:22

In today’s reflection Vajragupta encourages us to identify negative thoughts and emotions in meditation and let them go. “Ah yes”, I thought to myself as I read this reflection, “let them go”… but then I realised this phrase has quite a particular meaning for me. I often use this phrase, to myself or when speaking to others - let go - what does it really mean and how can we actually practice it? Vajragupta does explain this when...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Buddhism and Inequality: An Opportunity to Respond to Need in India

By kusaladevi on Wed, 8 Apr, 2020 - 11:30

For the home retreat, we have been reflecting on material from Vajragupta around Sailing the Worldly Winds. As Vajragupta said in one of his introductory talks, the worldly winds can blow both individually, within us, but also within society and the world. 

We have an opportunity when ‘Sailing the Worldly Winds’ to remember that they are not personal - they don’t only blow through us, but they blow all over the world and in some places and some cases they...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Only Possibilities - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 5

By Sadayasihi on Tue, 7 Apr, 2020 - 12:37

Only Possibilities - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 5

By Sadayasihi on Tue, 7 Apr, 2020 - 12:37

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. 


- Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne

This beautiful poem by Rumi popped into my head when I was reflecting on today’s home retreat material, which is about...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

A Buddhist Way Through the Ups and Downs of Life: Live Q & A (The Dharma Toolkit Daily, Episode 11)

By Centre Team on Tue, 7 Apr, 2020 - 00:41

As part of our week-long Home Retreat on ‘Sailing the Worldly Winds - A Buddhist Way Through the Ups and Downs of Life’, we are delighted to host here for a live online Q & A, Vajragupta the author and Dharma teacher behind the retreat itself.

A great, wide-ranging and practical discussion about what this classic Buddhist teaching has to say to us about caring for ourselves and each other during the current coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. And what...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Changing Practice in Times of Crisis - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 4

By kusaladevi on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 12:36

Changing Practice in Times of Crisis - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 4

By kusaladevi on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 12:36

In today’s reflection, Vajragupta suggests we review our practice so far and how we are getting on with Sailing the Worldly Winds. In times of adversity, I am often more able to honestly review my practice - how am I coping with the uncertainty? Based on my response to a crisis, I can often see more clearly which areas of my practice require attention and where I have set up positive conditions and responses within my mind. I...

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Karuna Fundraisers

Coronavirus Crisis Appeal Update: Thank You for Your Incredible Response!

By Padmadaka on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 11:05

Coronavirus Crisis Appeal Update: Thank You for Your Incredible Response!

By Padmadaka on Mon, 6 Apr, 2020 - 11:05

One week ago today, we asked for your support in our largest appeal ever. Your answer was extraordinary.

In that short time, you have already raised nearly £30,000 to support those most affected by the coronavirus crisis in India and Nepal.

Thank you so much for the donations and for spreading the word.

These donations are already making a difference. In the photo is Varsha, who has participated in one of our women’s leadership and livelihood projects.

She...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

How I'm Remembering to Remember - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 3

By Sadayasihi on Sun, 5 Apr, 2020 - 14:02

How I'm Remembering to Remember - Sailing the Worldly Winds Home Retreat Day 3

By Sadayasihi on Sun, 5 Apr, 2020 - 14:02

In these times, when so much is going on - when there’s a constant flow of information and the situation is seemingly changing by the hour - it can feel hard to maintain one’s practice. It can be hard to not be blown about by the worldly winds. 

I’ve been acutely aware of the extremes of my responses to even the smallest of things these past few days: joy at the sunlight streaming in the window, at exchanging smiles with a stranger...

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