16 – 20 FEB | Led by Saddhanandi
‘…I am glad there was a flaw in my ordination ceremony, glad that really I was not ordained, glad that technically I was never a bhikkhu, for in the long run this contributed more to my spiritual development, and more to my understanding of the Dharma, than any amount of correctness and technicality could have done’
We will explore the nature of Triratna ordinations beyond the limitations of technicalities: an unfolding of Sangharakshita’s understanding into a more radical approach to a Dharma life, ‘based not on what one believes about oneself but on what one knows, even if what one knows is no more than the simple fact that one suffers.’
Forty-Three Years Ago was written to coincide with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Western Buddhist Order in 1993. Although the starting point for these reflections concerned the validity (or otherwise) of Sangharakshita’s bhikkhu ordination. He says ‘it being technically correct or not pointed to something more radical which was of spiritual concern to me’.
Saddhanandi
Trained as an artist, Saddhanandi initially was involved in the Glasgow Sangha. She was at Taraloka for 20 years, and was Chair there for the last 13 of those years, before moving to Adhisthana and becoming Chair. In late 2021 she handed on this responsibility to Khemabandhu, but continues to live and work here as a member of the Dharma Team.
Seminar Retreats offer an intimate setting to look in-depth at Bhante’s exposition of key texts, bring us closer to the mind behind the teaching, and understand their relevance to our lives and practice. Places are very limited so book early.
Reception is from 4pm on the day of arrival, with the retreat beginning with supper at 6pm.
While you’re here you will be participating in communal life. This includes meditating with everyone on site in the main shrine room in the morning, taking part in daily tasks and at the end of your retreat you will help us to prepare the retreat centre for the next group to join us.
With this in mind, the retreat will finish after the clear-up, so if traveling on public transport, please book a train after 11am.
For: Dharmacharinis
Start date: 16th Feb 2025
End date: 20th Feb 2025
Event Type: Residential
Price: Standard £175 | Concession £145 | Financial Assistance £115
Please note that the payment includes a non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit of £50.
Bursary Fund: Help those who can't afford to come on retreat
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