The Triratna Buddhist Order & Community

The Triratna Buddhist Order and Community

Founding

The Triratna Buddhist Order and Community was founded in 1967 by Sangharakshita, an Englishman who had spent 20 years in India as a Buddhist monk. Having returned to Britain in the mid-1960s he saw the need for a new Buddhist movement – a vision of something faithful to traditional values while being relevant to the modern world. He didn’t want simply to transplant one of the Asian schools.

Sangharakshita believed it would be a mistake to set up a form of Buddhism already in existence in Asia in the very different conditions in which he now found himself: London in the late 1960s. To do so would mean having to transplant at least in part the cultural background as well. He saw the need to communicate the Dharma as taught by the Buddha and his disciples but in the context of contemporary culture.

However, he was wary of adapting and losing the spirit of the Buddha’s teaching. He didn’t want to water Buddhism down to suit modern tastes. Instead he based the new movement on the core teachings that underlie all Buddhist schools, but to apply those principles in contemporary culture.

Triratna around the World

There are now more than 90 Triratna Buddhist Community urban centres and rural retreat centres, with activities in over 27 countries.

Our aim is to support people to practice an authentic Buddhism, based in the tradition stretching all the way back to the Buddha but in ways appropriate to our situation and times living in industrialised, modern, urbanised conditions.

At the heart of our spiritual community is the Order itself, today numbering more than 3,000 women and men around the world who have formally committed their lives to following the Buddhist path.

What is Distinctive about Triratna?

A Non-sectarian Movement

Non-sectarian here signifies that in principle it accepts the whole Buddhist tradition as it has developed over the centuries in the East; but it does not identify itself exclusively with any one Eastern school or tradition. It learns from all, appreciates all, and is inspired by all.

A Unified Movement

Membership of the Triratna Buddhist Community is open to all, regardless of nationality, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, education, class or caste, cultural background, or age.

It is also a unified movement in a specific sense, in that membership of the Order, which is the heart of the movement, is open to both men and women on equal terms.

Within the context of traditional Buddhism ordination (or its equivalent) is not open to women in many of the traditions. This is due to traditional values inherent in particular cultures rather than to anything inherent in Buddhism. The Buddha made it clear that men and women have equal spiritual potential. Many hundreds of the Buddha’s female disciples gained Enlightenment.

The Centrality of the Act of Going for Refuge

It is Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels (The Buddha – our guide, The Dharma – the teachings, The Sangha – the community) that makes one a Buddhist. To the extent that you Go for Refuge, to that extent you are a Buddhist.

Though Going for Refuge is found in all forms of Buddhism, it rarely has a central place in them.

That place is taken, more often than not, by something else – either by monastic ordination for example, or by a particular kind of meditation or some other spiritual practice. In Triratna, Going for Refuge is central.

We seek to place the Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha, at the centre, at the heart of our lives and to orient all our activities towards deepening our Going for Refuge, deepening our commitment to gaining Awakening, no matter what lifestyle we choose to live.

The meaning of ‘refuge’

What is meant by ‘refuge’?
The Three Jewels are a refuge from suffering.

NOT refuge as a hiding place.

Better analogies are a basecamp, a storehouse, a grounding point. A place where we can contact our strengths, our resources and most importantly access the resources, skills and strength available from the Enlightened Mind (the Buddha), a place where we have access to the tools, wisdom and skills we need for the journey ahead (the Dharma) and where we can find the support of a community of like-minded people, who are travelling the same road (the Sangha).

The traditional phrase of ‘Going for Refuge’ corresponds to what in modern terms we call Commitment. Committing yourself to realising the full potential of what it means to be truly human.

Members of the Triratna Buddhist Order are neither Monk nor Lay

The Triratna Buddhist Order is ‘neither monastic nor lay’, we are not monks or nuns, neither are we laypeople. We are Dharmachārinīs/Dharmacāris, women and men who live a life dedicated to following the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment.

Order members live a variety of lifestyles. Married or single or celibate. Doctors, plumbers, accountants, solicitors, teachers, nurses, and more.

Some Order members work full-time or part part-time for the Order and Community, running Buddhist Centres, teaching meditation, running Retreat Centres, writing or teaching about Buddhism.

They also practice in a variety of ways, according to their needs, temperaments and circumstances. What unites them is Going for Refuge, their individual and collective commitment to the ideals of Buddhism, to the Path, and to the Spiritual Community.

The Importance of Spiritual Friendship

Friendship is a basic human need. Friendship and connection are a vital part of being human, and spiritual friends are vital to a practising Buddhist. Spiritual friends help us to make spiritual progress. They encourage us when we’re downhearted, challenge us when we’re slack, inspire us when we lose touch with our ideals. They also help us in ordinary, practical ways.

The Triratna Buddhist Community puts a lot of time and energy into providing people with the skills and opportunities to explore and develop both formal and informal spiritual friendships.

Transforming Economic Life

Recognising that in the modern world we need to participate in the economic life of the world, the Triratna Buddhist Community is endeavouring to transform economic life in line with Buddhist principles.

So, as best we can we try to have careers that are in line with the ethical precepts of non-harm, honesty, contentment, non-exploitation and mindfulness.

We have also developed a new business model called Team Based Right Livelihood. Team Based Right Livelihood businesses have four distinguishing characteristics. One, they provide those who work in them with a means of livelihood. Two, they engage only in such activities that are ethical. Three, they provide opportunities for the development of spiritual friendship within the work situation. Four, surplus profits of the business are used to support Triratna Buddhist Community activities of various kinds.

The Importance of the Arts to the Spiritual Life

The Triratna Buddhist Community emphasises the importance of art and culture: music, literature, drama, cinema, painting, sculpture, architecture and so on – all these can help us to broaden our sympathies and extend our experience.

They enlarge our imagination; they refine and direct our emotions. At their best and greatest the arts may be bearers of spiritual values, values which can help us to transform our lives. They can inspire us and motivate us to grow and develop.

This is not just about ‘religious’ or ‘Buddhist’ art but any artform that creates opportunities for the arising of positive emotion, inspiration, beauty, and more. Many of the traditional forms of Buddhism do not value the arts in this way.

Triratna Buddhist Community in Malta

Not about Joining

It’s not about joining something; rather it’s about exploration of the possibilities presented by what we have to offer. There is no expectation that people attending the centre will be Buddhists, nor that they will agree with Buddhist teachings.

Classes are an opportunity to learn and test out Buddhist practices in the light of one’s own experience, and in an atmosphere of friendly, encouraging, open communication.

Of course, at some point you may feel that you are interested in taking your commitment to following this Path more deeply, more seriously. You may even come to realise that you are in fact a Buddhist! If that happens then we can respond and will support you in making that commitment if and when you ever decide to do so.

Levels of Engagement

It is perfectly okay, actually vitally important, that you relate to the Centre and its activities at whatever level you feel is appropriate for you.

Some people are quite happy to relate as meditators. They meditate, they come to classes, go on retreat, do courses and so on. They can explore as much or as little of Buddhism that suits them, at their own pace and as appropriate to where they are in their life.

For other people, over time they realise that Buddhism makes sense to them as a spiritual path, they come to realise that they are a Buddhist. At that point in their journey they may decide to make a commitment to following the Buddhist Path.

Eventually they may even decide to take up the deeper training that leads to joining the Triratna Buddhist Order.

For more information on our international Triratna Buddhist Community please visit: thebuddhistcentre.com