Triratna Buddhist Community
Deriving contemporary and practical inspiration from the Buddha and this Teachings of the Path to Awakening
Buddhism is a tradition of teachings and practices that help people to unfold the inner riches of love, wisdom and energy that lie within us all. Despite being actively practised for over 2500 years in some countries, it has become more accurately understood and deeply appreciated in the West only in the last hundred years. This greater clarity and richer depth requires us to 'wake up' within our experience, and therefore implies a need to find ways of actually practising in midst of contemporary life. It was against this background that Sangharakshita founded the Triratna Buddhist Community (originally known as the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order).
Who is Sangharakshita?
Born in 1925 in London, Sangharakshita realized he was a Buddhist in his teens after reading the Diamond Sutra. He was ordained in India as a Buddhist monk in 1950 and for the next fifteen years stayed in India studying, meditating, teaching and writing about many aspects of Buddhism. During this time he had contact with all the main schools of Buddhism and received initiation and teaching from some of the most respected Tibetan Lamas of this century. In 1964 he returned to England and soon founded what is now the Triratna Buddhist Order.
An International Community
Since its founding in the late 60s, the Triratna Buddhist Order and those training for Ordination have been actively introducing the Dharma, the teachings and practices of Buddhism, in a way that is particularly suited to people living in a post-modern contemporary culture. The resulting web of Buddhist centres, retreat centres, right livelihood businesses, and the friendships which connect them all together are collectively know as the Triratna Buddhist Community. The conditions under which we live have a tremendous effect on us and are very different from the conditions under which traditional Buddhism evolved and thrived. The essence of Buddhism is however, universal and unchanging. It is this essence that we are trying to communicate.
Ethical issues
An online search will quickly uproot some controversial areas associated with the Triratna Buddhist Community. The principal dilemma for many is the sexual relationships Sangharakshita had with some of his disciples. The community has done a lot of work to bring these sensitive aspects of our history into the light, support people who feel harmed by what happened, and put in place measures to reduce the risk of further harm. You can find the details of this investigative and restorative work here.
The Auckland Buddhist Centre has safeguarding policies and other guidelines in place to help guide our teachers and reduce the likelihood of any harm. Everyone teaching at the centre has taken on a practice of the Buddhist ethical precepts.
You are welcome to approach any Order member at the centre to discuss any concerns you have about Triratna's past or anything that concerns you in the present. Our safeguarding officers are Vasudhara and Vajrajyoti, and you can find their contact details at the bottom of our guidelines and policies page. We also aim to discuss these topics openly at Sangha Night once or twice a year.
The Dharma: A Path to Awakening
The Triratna Buddhist Community derives its inspiration from the entire Buddhist tradition, as appropriate, and is not singly devoted to one particular expression such as Theravada, Zen or Tibetan Buddhism. It stays faithful to the Buddhist tradition as a whole and does not mix Buddhism with other religious or spiritual traditions.
At the same time Triratna is prepared to draw on sources of inspiration outside of Buddhism if they are helpful, in particular the exploration of Art and Literature. This means we do not have to cut loose from our cultural roots to take up Buddhism, we let go of what holds us back while appreciating and using what is best in our own culture as a bridge to an understanding of the Dharma.
Commitment is primary, Lifestyle secondary
The Triratna Buddhist Community is open to any person who is sincerely committed to the Buddhist path, not just to those who want to live a monastic lifestyle. Our shared experience and the teachings of the Buddha witness the potential for everyone to practice the Dharma in the midst of their particular life. Although some conditions are more conducive than others, none is devoid of the potential for Awakening. Therefore, we see ourselves as a community of full-time Dharma practitioners whether celibate, single or married or partnered up, with families and without, all trying to gain our livelihood compassionately and without harming others.
The nucleus of the Triratna Buddhist Community is the Triratna Buddhist Order, a community of people spiritually committed and experienced in walking the path of Awakening together for the benefit of all. It is the local members of that Order who facilitate and lead Triratna Community's activities in their area. And it is the natural friendships born from shared values and practice between Order members across different regions which connect each of these independent and autonomous centres together into a cohesive International community.
The Buddha always encouraged people to rely on their own experiences. So come along and decide for yourself.
Find more information on the worldwide Triratna Buddhist Community at https://thebuddhistcentre.com.