Tag: Mahamati

Letter from the College of Public Preceptors- November

By college on Sat, 1 Nov, 2025 - 00:15

Letter from the College of Public Preceptors- November

By college on Sat, 1 Nov, 2025 - 00:15

Dear Order members and friends,

In 1976 I was a twenty-one year old student studying philosophy and sociology, engaged in left-wing campus politics and attending ‘encounter groups’ for personal growth. I was puzzled and troubled because changing the world and personal growth seemed to be in separate camps. A fortunate introduction led me to the Norwich Buddhist Centre soon after its opening, and after my first attempt at meditation and friendly conversation over tea, ‘The Meaning of Spiritual Community’...

College of Public Preceptors

Letter from the Chair of the College – February 2025

By Mahamati on Sat, 1 Feb, 2025 - 00:00

Letter from the Chair of the College – February 2025

By Mahamati on Sat, 1 Feb, 2025 - 00:00

Dear Order members and friends,

In 1949, when visiting Bodhgaya for the first time, Sangharakshita wrote a poem called ‘The Birthplace of Compassion’. Now, seventy-five years later, on the centenary of his birth, I send this letter from this very place, where around 800 members of the Order that Sangharakshita went on to found, are gathered for an International Order Convention.

Here, where the Goatherd’s banyan-tree
O’ershadowed, was, to world forlorn,
The first child of Enlightenment,
...

College of Public Preceptors

Letter from the Chair – December 2024

By Mahamati on Sat, 30 Nov, 2024 - 09:34

Letter from the Chair – December 2024

By Mahamati on Sat, 30 Nov, 2024 - 09:34

Dear Order members and friends,

A year ago at the College’s annual international meeting I was surprised when my fellow College members asked me to take over from Ratnadharini, in a year’s time, as the next College Chair. However, I quite quickly adjusted and have spent much of the last year reflecting on what this responsibility requires of me, and preparing to take it on. I am grateful to Ratnadharini for her support in this handover - I admired her chairing...

College of Public Preceptors

The Next Chair of the College of Public Preceptors

By ratnadharini on Wed, 15 Nov, 2023 - 08:49

The Next Chair of the College of Public Preceptors

By ratnadharini on Wed, 15 Nov, 2023 - 08:49

Dear Order Members and friends,

I’m writing from Adhisthana during the annual international meeting of the Preceptors’ College, where you may be aware we have been deciding who will take over from me as Chair of the Preceptors’ College when I step down in a year’s time.

I’m delighted to let you all know that there was a clear consensus to invite Mahamati to become the next College Chair. Happily, Mahamati was able to...

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...