Arthavadin

I first encountered Buddhism through a martial arts instructor who was (unknown to me at the time) also an ordained zen Buddhist. Several years later at university, I realised I was a Buddhist and also knew I wanted to practise with like-minded people. After a few false starts, I eventually discovered the idealistic Triratna sangha in Manchester. Becoming a mitra was followed by requesting ordination on the heels of a vivid dream exhorting me to live without regrets. I became friends with others in the local sangha and three of us were ordained together at Guhyaloka in 2004. My name, Arthavadin, translates as 'he who explains the meaning (of the good)' - a name that still feels appropriate.

After ordination I continued to work as an organisational psychologist and leadership development consultant - mainly with the police. In 2011 I took voluntary redundancy and returned to Guhyaloka where, for 16 months, I very happily lived the simple life as a member of the support team. Whilst living there I was encouraged to become the chair of the Manchester Buddhist Centre, something I happily did alongside a group of committed friends. For the next six years we worked to deepen and develop the Manchester centre and sangha. During this time I became more and more involved in the central institutions of the movement, including the joy of becoming a private preceptor. In 2018 I resigned as chair of the Manchester Buddhist Centre. I briefly returned to the world of leadership consultancy and then, in 2021, became Convenor for (Triratna's) International Council.

The International Council brings together the perspectives of those holding key responsibilities across the Triratna Community to develop strategy, provide guidance, and enable collaborative decision-making worldwide.