Triratna News
Triratna News

The young Buddhists: Triratna's secret

By Munisha on Thu, 17 Dec, 2015 - 18:55

The young Buddhists: Triratna's secret

By Munisha on Thu, 17 Dec, 2015 - 18:55

Presenting Triratna to the European Buddhist Union meeting in Berlin in September, I mentioned Triratna’s recent success in attracting more young people. With most sanghas ageing, people wanted to know our secret.

One answer is that we appointed a Young Buddhist co-ordinator to encourage young Buddhist activities and help other young Buddhists develop the confidence to lead.

Prajnaketu is the new, full-time Young Buddhist Co-ordinator appointed to the Development Team who work for Triratna’s European Chairs’ Assembly. He...

Triratna News
Triratna News

Who are the Development Team?

By Munisha on Tue, 15 Dec, 2015 - 23:58

Who are the Development Team?

By Munisha on Tue, 15 Dec, 2015 - 23:58

The Development Team are five Order members supported by Triratna’s European Chairs’ Assembly (ECA) to provide central services to Triratna in Europe – also enjoyed around the wider Triratna world. (Pictured, left to right: Munisha, Amalavajra, Nandavajra, Prajnaketu and Mokshini.)

We’re a warm, friendly virtual team, meeting on Skype or in person every few weeks to check in and organise our work.

Team Leader is Nandavajra, who lives in Devon, UK, and describes himself as “a grizzled but youthful Triratna veteran who...

Triratna News
Triratna News

Thank you: a message from Sangharakshita

By Munisha on Fri, 18 Sep, 2015 - 09:17

Thank you: a message from Sangharakshita

By Munisha on Fri, 18 Sep, 2015 - 09:17

Bhante writes:
“I would like to express my thanks to the one thousand and more donors who contributed to my 90th birthday gift of £135,000 [€184,300/ US$210,300/ INR12,981,000].

This gift will go towards the publication of my Complete Works, as well as towards the translation of some of those works into other languages.

Both projects are very dear to my heart, and it gives me great satisfaction to think that, thanks...

European Chairs' Assembly
European Chairs' Assembly

European Chairs assembly Meeting August 2015: report by Nandavajra

By Nandavajra on Sun, 13 Sep, 2015 - 10:40

European Chairs assembly Meeting August 2015: report by Nandavajra

By Nandavajra on Sun, 13 Sep, 2015 - 10:40

European Chairs assembly Meeting August 2015: report by Nandavajra

More than 30 Triratna European Centre Chairs gathered at Adhisthana from 12th to 20th August for the summer European Chairs Assembly and were joined by members of the Preceptors College, non-European guest Chairs (Shubhavyuha from Sydney and Sudaya from Melbourne), representatives from movement wide projects and members of the Development Team. The Adhisthana team and community were very attentive, generous but unobtrusive hosts despite the fact that they were working very hard to...

European Chairs' Assembly
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
European Chairs' Assembly

Day 4 at the ECA

By Munisha on Sun, 16 Aug, 2015 - 22:19

Day 4 at the ECA

By Munisha on Sun, 16 Aug, 2015 - 22:19

The sun is shining on Adhisthana and we’ve been considering the future of fundraising in Triratna: creating a stronger culture of giving worldwide, so that all the core institutions, services and people on which Triratna’s life depends worldwide (for example, the College of Public Preceptors - responsible for ordinations - Clear Vision, Free Buddhist Audio and Windhorse Publications) are better resourced.

Afternoons are a mix of free time, special interest groups and business. Amongst many other things this afternoon saw a gathering of the...

European Chairs' Assembly
European Chairs' Assembly

Day 3 at the ECA

By Munisha on Sat, 15 Aug, 2015 - 21:16

Day 3 at the ECA

By Munisha on Sat, 15 Aug, 2015 - 21:16

Today the European Chairs continued their exploration of the culture of Triratna centres, with discussion groups about yesterday’s talk on Triratna’s Six Distinctive Emphases, followed by the presentation of a consultation document setting out defining characteristics of a Triratna centre and principles underlying its running.

There is broad willingness to ensure that the interpretation and application of the Six Emphases continues to evolve according to the needs of new generations of Buddhists.

The afternoon break saw many of us taking walks and naps or...

European Chairs' Assembly
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...

Community Highlights
Community Highlights

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.

Triratna News
Triratna News

Adhisthana: Young Buddhists' first European retreat for under-25s

By Munisha on Thu, 9 Jul, 2015 - 11:12

Adhisthana: Young Buddhists' first European retreat for under-25s

By Munisha on Thu, 9 Jul, 2015 - 11:12

Later this month Triratna Young Buddhists in Europe will be gathering again at Adhisthana, for their first ever retreat for under-25s.

Singhamati is the Young People’s Co-ordinator employed by Triratna’s European Chairs’ Assembly. She writes: “The weekend is an chance for younger Buddhists, or those interested in meditation and Buddhism, to come together, meet friends old and new, practise and have fun!  

Open to newcomers and those who have been practising for years, it’ll be a unique and important opportunity for younger...

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