Tag: ECA 2015

An Australian perspective on the European Chairs' Assembly

By Munisha on Wed, 19 Aug, 2015 - 22:32

Shubhavyuha and Sudaya, from Triratna’s Sydney and Melbourne Buddhist Centres, talk to Munisha about why they’ve travelled all the way to Adhisthana for a gathering of Triratna’s European Chairs, and what they’ve got from it.

European Chairs' Assembly

Day 7 at the ECA

By Munisha on Wed, 19 Aug, 2015 - 20:17

Day 7 at the ECA

By Munisha on Wed, 19 Aug, 2015 - 20:17

This morning Triratna’s European Chairs held their business meeting, in which the main item was the allocation of their Development Fund for 2016. (See the photo-summary of these grants.)

The ECA’s Development Fund generally totals around £100,000 per year, donated by Triratna Centres and enterprises all over Europe, as well as by some Centres further afield. This year they’ve given £116,000 and, thanks to Amalavajra’s fundraising, there’s an additional £20,000 - and there could be another £30,000 too. So, two budgets...

European Chairs' Assembly

Vishvapani reports on mindfulness at the ECA

By Munisha on Tue, 18 Aug, 2015 - 16:03

At Adhisthana, we talk to Vishvapani about the Triratna Chairs’ day considering the place of mindfulness in society, and Triratna responses to it.

European Chairs' Assembly

Mahamati and Parina and Triratna's Six Distinctive Emphases

By Munisha on Tue, 18 Aug, 2015 - 08:13

On day 3 of the European Chairs’ Assembly meeting, Mahamati and Parina talk about the Chairs’ exploration of Triratna’s Six Distinctive Emphases.

European Chairs' Assembly

Day 5 at the ECA

By Munisha on Mon, 17 Aug, 2015 - 22:38

Day 5 at the ECA

By Munisha on Mon, 17 Aug, 2015 - 22:38

Today we’ve been looking at the phenomenon of mindfulness in UK society, now to be found in settings including prisons, schools and healthcare. What should be the response of Triratna Buddhist Centres; the relationship between what’s being taught in secular society and what we teach in Triratna?

We began with a presentation from Vishvapani who has been working with the UK Parliament at Westminster. He’s been editing the All Party Parliamentary Group’s report, ‘Mindful Nation’, to be published...

European Chairs' Assembly

Day 2 at the ECA

By Munisha on Fri, 14 Aug, 2015 - 22:34

Day 2 at the ECA

By Munisha on Fri, 14 Aug, 2015 - 22:34

As always, the ECA day began with double meditation followed by porridge!

We are around 40 women and men (the number of women has been going steadily up for several years) with a couple of guests from Australia, and the Development Team employed by the ECA to provide year-round services to all Centres, such as fundraising and communications. We also have with us visitors from other Triratna groupings such as the Public Preceptors, to ensure good communication and networking.

Having spent yesterday reconnecting in...

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Triratna's European Chairs' Assembly meets at Adhisthana

By Munisha on Fri, 14 Aug, 2015 - 21:58

Triratna's European Chairs' Assembly meets at Adhisthana

By Munisha on Fri, 14 Aug, 2015 - 21:58

This week we’ll be reporting from the week-long summer 2015 meeting of Triratna’s European Chairs’ Assembly which began yesterday.

More than 40 Chairs of Triratna’s urban Buddhist centres, retreat centres and other enterprises across Europe are gathered at Adhisthana, Herefordshire. Responsible for the running of Triratna, they support one another, ensure commonality of approaches to Dharma teaching, and share their insights and resources.

To find out more about the ECA, +Follow the ECA on The Buddhist Centre Online.

European Chairs' Assembly

Introducing the European Chairs' Assembly

By Munisha on Fri, 14 Aug, 2015 - 21:39

The week-long summer 2015 meeting of the ECA has begun, and 40 or so Triratna Chairs - about 50:50 women and men - are gathered at Adhisthana for discussion, presentations and friendship.

Munisha talks to Viryapushpa, new Chair of Rivendell Retreat Centre, and Ratnaghosha, Chair of Cambridge Buddhist Centre, about the ECA and its meetings. Having first been a member of the ECA in 1994, Ratnaghosha describes how it’s developed over the years. (6.5 minutes)