Transformation

I’m writing this in Kings X station waiting for my train home. I’ve been visiting the centre in Brighton for a couple of days - very full and very enjoyable. On Monday night I gave a talk on Bhante’s poem: The Four Gifts after which one of the men’s study groups fed us with delicious Mexican food. On Tuesday night I was invited to join the Under 35 class for a very lively evening. Over 50 of us meditated together and most stayed for another meal, this time of Curry, Dahl and rice, provided by the under 35 class team. They seem to like their food - or more, they enjoy the social art of eating together. After the meal, I took part in a question and answer session on the themes of What is Buddhism? (in 15 minutes, thanks very much); What is Triratna? and Who is Sangharakshita?. I did enjoy the evening and, having recently finished leading an online retreat on the theme of Bhante’s life and legacy, I felt well able to respond in a way that people seemed to find interesting, open and non defensive.

On the theme of the retreat mentioned, all the sessions are available on the Buddhist Centre online. Here’s the link in case anyone fancies exploring some of the themes. I think the retreat really did what it set out to do. On the blurb it said: 

Join us for five days of practice, dialogue, storytelling and contemplation as we explore the life and teachings of Sangharakshita, the founding teacher of the Triratna Buddhist Community. Through talks, meditation and discussion we will trace how one man’s journey—from post-war Britain to the foothills of the Himalayas—helped ignite a global movement grounded in the Buddha’s teachings. This home retreat offers a rich opportunity to engage with Sangharakshita from multiple perspectives: his life story, influential writings, distinctive teachings, contribution to the revival of Buddhism in India, and his poetry.

If anyone is curious to know more about Bhante and the community he has founded, they might find some useful and interesting resources here. 

There is also some lively discussion on the place of the College of Public Preceptors and the International council on the day 5 sessions.

I’m now turning my mind to our Padmasambhava Urban retreat which I am looking forward to. There is more information on the website and we hope to see lots of sangha folk at some of the sessions 22nd -  26th September.— 3 sessions each day (7.30 am, 12.30 and 7.00pm). Check it out on the What’s On section of our website.

On the theme of Padmasambhava, last Saturday, on a day for women, we explored The Advice Given (by Padmasambhava) to the 3 Fortunate Women. It’s such a rich text and has advice about the spiritual life, especially about meditation.  The queen says to Padmasambhava “Give me a few words of great import, an effective verse which I can memorise. Though I have not renounced the world, I would like to cherish within me a Doctrine which at later time would lead me to Buddhahood." 

Padmasambhava replies “To begin with, pay urgent attention to impermanence, then strongly turn your mind towards taking Refuge..” It was a great text to explore, partly through discussion and partly through led meditation.

So, Padmasambhava is very present at the moment which feels very appropriate. Here’s to the transformation of each and every one of us and the transformation of the world.  A world in which there is so much suffering of so many kinds. 

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.