State of the Centre

Just a few quick things this week as time is running out to get this to Keirstan in time for this week’s newsletter.

Abhayaruci

We had a lovely welcome back evening for Abhayaruci at the Tuesday Mandala night class last week. There were around 30 of us in the shrine room to welcome her, to hear a bit about Ordination within our tradition and, especially, to hear her talk about her experience of being ordained on an 11 week retreat in the Spanish mountains. She evoked the scenery and the experience very beautifully while still keeping the mystery of it. It is important that when people go off to be ordained that there is still something unknown for them. This is part of the Going Forth aspect of their ordination, a leaving behind of the familiar and a willingness to step into the mystery of it all. She also gave us a delightful explanation of her new name - Abhayaruci means Light of Fearlessness - and told us how she relates to that gift. Welcome Abhayaruci and I look forward to that fearless light shining within our Sangha.

AGM

The AGM for Triratna Glasgow took place on Saturday July 12th at Woodside Crescent. It was well attended - especially given what a gorgeous day it was. As chair, I really appreciate the level of participation from members and associate members (Order members and those who have asked for Ordination respectively). Speaking to chairs of some of our other centres, I’m aware that this isn’t the case everywhere. I also appreciate that many who couldn’t attend sent their apologies. I’m encouraged to know that so many are really interested in how things are going in the Glasgow Buddhist Centre Mandala.

The minutes will be available at some point along with the various reports. Rather than read out my chairs report (which had been sent out in advance with the other documents to the membership) I decided to give a “State of the Nation” style talk. 

It was almost a year exactly (one day short!) and it was fantastic to reflect on all that has happened in that year. The highlight of course is the purchase of the property at Woodside Crescent. I had naively thought we might be moving by now but, of course, these things almost always take longer than one might hope. Moksadhi gave us an update on what is happening and where we are now in terms of waiting for the planning permission etc. While I would love us to be there already, I am glad that we are taking the time to make sure that this new centre is sustainable and done in the best possible way. From my point of view I see this as a legacy project and I wish that legacy to be the best one possible. I hope a new generation can take it as a very good base to work from so that we continue to offer an oasis in Glasgow and beyond. The world needs it more than ever.

Joanna Macy

As of this morning, Joanna is still holding on while gracefully letting go. I am following daily (and sometimes even more) updates and her family are sharing beautiful tender moments with us. I can only hope that, when my time comes, I am surrounded by such love and can let go feeling that I made some difference in the world. She very obviously has.

For now, as always, may all beings be well, may all beings find true happiness and its causes and may all beings be free from suffering.