Tag: Sangharakshita

Questions arising following your passing

Should I mourn your absence?
What form could contain
that unrivalled presence?

Should I weep for you?
What tears offer release
to one already freed?

Should I run to your side?
What frantic display
reveres your stillness?

Should I recall you?
What image gives shape
to your shabby elegance?

Should I speak of you?
What eulogy does justice
to your eloquence?

Should I bequeath garlands?
What wilted flowers
could embody such wisdom?

Should I hold to your words?
Why...

Carrying the Flame

Like so many friends today, I am absorbing and reflecting on the passing of my teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita (Bhante). Only a week ago I was at Adhisthana, Bhante’s home, working with the amazing people from Friends of the Sangharakshita Library. Having Danasamudra passing on Bhante’s heartfelt appreciation for the work that we were doing in his memorial library, was so touching as was his emphasis on her passing this appreciation to us. He stressed the importance of this library and his legacy...

What bhante meant to me

It was my birthday, it felt like everything had fallen apart around me and I felt alone and desperate. I’d spent the past few years driving everyone and everything I cared about away and refusing to acknowledge that I was struggling and needed help. Instead I numbed my pain with drugs and alcohol… But that can only work for so long and in the weeks building up to my birthday it wasn’t enough… I didn’t know what else to do...