The Triratna Buddhist Order
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Ordination
The starting point is ordination, when Order members commit themselves to the ideals at the heart of Buddhism – traditionally known as going for refuge to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (the Three Jewels). Some of our retreat centres are dedicated to helping people prepare for ordination over a number of years, and holding ordination retreats lasting up to three months.
There are over 2,500 Order members in 30 countries, with around 120 joining every year.
Voices
Living a Dharma Life
Order members commit themselves to a wholehearted Buddhist life in the circumstances they choose. Our ordination is neither monastic nor lay, and people are free to choose their lifestyle – living with families or partners, or communally in semi-monastic communities or retreat centres – and whether or not they practice celibacy. What all Order members share is a commitment to the Three Jewels and the path to Enlightenment.
This makes the Order very flexible, and it’s very different from the way Buddhism has been practised in Asia where practitioners are typically either monastic or lay. Our Order is open to anyone who’s committed to the Buddhist path as it’s understood within Triratna, regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation or gender.
Over 800 Order members live in India, most of whom come from the Dalit communities that have historically been placed at the bottom of Indian society.
Voices
A Spiritual Community

Above all, the Triratna Buddhist Order is a spiritual community, or sangha, that’s united by links of friendship.
Many Order members co-operate in sharing Buddhism with others at Triratna centres, or in Triratna projects taking the Dharma into the world. They meet regularly in chapters, Order weekends and conventions to practise collectively and foster personal connections. These connections, based on shared spiritual practice, often become lifelong friendships, and give Triratna its unique character.
Some senior Order members form the College of Public Preceptors, which has particular responsibility for ordinations and addressing ethical breaches. Others are centre chairs or presidents, Dharma teachers or spiritual friends who share their experience with less experienced people.
When Order members are in financial need, others help, and a charity called The Abhayaratna Trust coordinates these efforts.
Sangha has another dimension as well that’s hard to define. It’s a sense profound solidarity between people whose lives are shared at at the deepest level.
A Thousand Petalled Lotus
The Order is founded on the distinctive presentation of the Dharma that was taught by Sangharakshita, but individual Order members’ follow different lifestyles and their Dharma practice can develop in personal ways. This makes Triratna a diverse community, inspired by Sangharakshita and united by a shared commitment to the path to Enlightenment.
Meet Triratna Order Members and hear their experience of practising in a new kind of Buddhist community: Fifty Years, Fifty Voices
