How We Practise Buddhism

The Buddha taught a balanced path that includes a range of practices: meditation, study and ethical behaviour are all important. Faith goes along with wisdom, and stillness balances activity. Practising Buddhism in Triratna includes these activities along with fresh responses to modern culture.

Meditation is a core activity at Triratna Centres and in the lives of people practising within Triratna. We approach meditation in a balanced way, including loving kindness meditation, which cultivates the heart, along with mindfulness practices that train attention.

We also believe that studying the Buddhist teachings is important. Because Buddhism engages both the head and the heart, the practice of Dharma study in Triratna isn’t an intellectual exercise. Instead, it’s a way to become clearer about what the teachings do and do not say, and what it means to put them into practice in our lives. Learning about Buddhism within Triratna involves study and discussion groups, and exploring Buddhist scriptures as well as teachings from Sangharakshita and others.

Faith and Devotional Practice directed towards the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is an important way to engage our emotional energy with Buddhist practice. Faith, in Buddhism, is another kind of understanding that goes along with concepts, and Buddhist ritual opens up the magic of the Buddhist outlook on life. Triratna activities often include puja, chanting traditional verses and reciting mantras.

As many atoms as there are in the thousand million worlds, so many times I make reverent salutations to all the Buddhas of the three eras!

Shantideva, from 'The Bodhicaryavatara'

Work and earning a living are important parts of most people’s lives, hence the Buddhist emphasis on Right Livelihood, or working ethically. Over the years there have been many team based Right Livelihood ventures within Triratna, and while some have fallen by the wayside, others like Dharmachakra (our web team!), Windhorse Publications (Triratna's publishers), The Karuna Trust and Breathworks have continued to thrive for decades.

🧘 Like this talk? Try a body scan meditation yourself!