“There is something about the movement, the Order and even about me that is not easily definable. There is a touch of something that cannot be buttoned down, something that cannot in the end be defined. Everyone will need to take care of that rather mysterious, indefinable spirit that gives the movement life and energy.”  - Sangharakshita, What is the Western Buddhist Order?

The bodhicitta is much more like a sort of higher power – the power of Enlightenment, if you like – which works through you when you are open and receptive. It’s not ‘yours’ in the ordinary sense – not your thought, your idea, your will. In a sense – though even this can be misunderstood – it’s something that takes you over when you are sufficiently ready for that or sufficiently open to that and which as it were works through you: this is the bodhicitta.” - Sangharakshita, Endlessly Fascinating Cry

‘​​What one can be sure of is that there was a tremendous sort of inner absorption for a very long period of time. Because, after all, the Buddha had gained Enlightenment which he had been looking for, for so many years, and at last he was there, so all his energy sort of poured into that, just like a waterfall falling from a tremendous height.’ - Sangharakshita, Seminar on the Udana

“Everyday you have five things to practise: Keep up the effort to be mindful and aware; remain in as positive a state as possible; do not lose sight of your ultimate goal at any time; apply at every level whatever you have realised or discovered at the highest level of your being; do your best for other people, do what you can to help them. This is your spiritual life and this is your spiritual practice.

“I go for Refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. This is what they say at that moment, and clearly it's not just a question of the recitation of a formula. It's the heartfelt response of one's total being to the impact of the truth, even the impact of Reality. One commits oneself to the truth, one surrenders to the truth, one wants to devote one's whole life to the truth.” - Sangharakshita, Levels of Going for Refuge

“A common misapprehension is to think of Insight and egolessness in abstract, even metaphysical terms rather than as comprising concretely-lived attitudes and behaviour.  But realising the truth of egolessness simply means being truly and deeply unselfish.  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.  If we find it difficult to realise the ultimate emptiness of the self, the solution is to try to be a little less selfish.  The understanding comes afte

By invitation only

In the third of our online seminars for Dharmacharinis supporting those in the ordination process, we'll be looking at how we can form effective ordination kulas. We’ll consider the practical issues of when and how kulas are formed, as well as what we can do to try and make the experience of these meetings positive and helpful for ourselves and those we are supporting. We'll have presentations, discussions and even a chance for role-play!

The seminar will run from 10.30am to 1pm on zoom.

In the second of our one-day online seminars for dharmacharinis supporting those in the ordination process, we'll be looking at what is effective Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels. As someone gets close to being ready to join the Order, all the Order members around them will be engaged in the work of reaching consensus as to when that might happen.

Following on from our popular online events for Dharmacharinis, the first of three online Order seminars offered by the Tiratanaloka team will explore how to support your local ordination process.

‘What is joy in the garden of the Dharma? It is the joy of guarding the bodhicitta, of ripening living beings’.