The stupa is an architectural symbol encompassing the elements of the natural world, the spiritual path and the unity of Enlightened mind.  Using colours and shapes, we are guided into a freeing of energy into boundless space.  The stupa is also a symbol of the ordination process at Tiratanaloka. Sangharaskhita described our own stupa as a ‘Miracle Stupa’ saying that the only true miracle is when someone makes the transition from a worldly to a spiritual life.

“In the spiritual community, the rigid application of rules is replaced by something far more subtle:  a living network of friendship and communication centred on the highest shared ideals” (Sangharakshita: Living with Kindness)

“In the spiritual community, the rigid application of rules is replaced by something far more subtle:  a living network of friendship and communication centred on the highest shared ideals” (Sangharakshita: Living with Kindness)

“To contemplate the principle of egolessness as some special principle that is somehow separate from our actual behaviour will leave it as far away as ever” (Sangharakshita: Living with Kindness)

On this retreat we’ll use The Ten Pillars of Buddhism as a basis for studying the potentially transformative ethical principles that unite the Triratna Buddhist Order, and how we can use confession to deepen our understanding and practice of them.

If you’ve already been on the Transcendental Principle retreat, then you’ve probably still got some unanswered questions from that study!  Come on this retreat and revisit a selection of the compelling themes from A Survey of Buddhism. 

For those who have been on a Transcendental Principle retreat.

The team for this retreat includes Vajratara, Santavajri and Prajnagita and you can find the study material here.

“In harmony with friends and companions, I accept this ordination”: The practice of radical friendship

This is a training retreat especially for dharmacarinis in the nissaya period (ie. if you were ordained from 2017 to 2021). We’ll be exploring Kalyana Mitrata as a path towards insight and the transformative power of communication, and will also look at practical ways of helping our friends in the ordination process prepare to enter the Order.

Led by Kalyacitta, Santavajri and Dhammadassin

A retreat for dharmacharinis who are supporting others towards ordination - whether as preceptors, mitra convenors, kula members or friends. A chance to deepen our understanding of how we can be more effective in these areas, supported by the team at Tiratanaloka. We will also have a chance to share ideas and experiences around this significant aspect of our Order lives.

The team for this retreat includes Santavajri, Kalyacitta and Dhammadassin

 It is a dana event For a suggested donation £300/£220/£180

Please do book.

‘I have been here all the time.  Men may come, men may go, but the earth always remains.  I have seen all his previous lives.  I have seen hundreds and thousands of lives in which he practised the Perfections. So I bear witness that on account of his practice of these Perfections he is worthy to sit in the seat of the Buddhas of old’ (Sangharakshita - the Earth Goddess bears witness to the Buddha’s right to sit on the Diamond Throne)

A retreat that’s particularly suitable for those who have recently requested ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order, and is also relevant to those with more experience.  We’ll be studying introductions written by members of the team at Tiratanaloka covering aspects of practice that give a particular framework for looking at progress to ordination and beyond.  

This retreat will be held at Adhisthana so please book directly with them at https://adhisthana.org.

‘In the Buddhist tradition the wish-fulfilling gem has come to symbolise the bodhicitta, and this tells you something about the nature of Enlightenment.  Once you have Enlightenment, you have everything.  All your wishes, all your desires, all your aspirations, are fully satisfied.  Enlightenment, even in the form of the bodhcitta, is the true cintāmani, the true wish-fulfilling gem.