From Jnanadhara
May 2010
Dear Friends,
I hope you're well and enjoying the delights of Spring.
I'd like to let you know about a few of the happenings that have been going on in and around the Centre and what's coming up over the next few months, but first, some news: the FWBO is changing its name! The FWBO is the international community of which the Dublin Buddhist Centre is a part. We were founded in the West in the late 60's and for many years the name "Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO)" suited us very well. As we have now grown into an international Buddhist community, with many centres in India and other Eastern countries, the word "Western" is longer appropriate. When our Community was established in certain countries it was necessary to translate the name into the local language. In India our Community has had a completely different name since the early 80's when it became clear that a name including the word "Western" wasn't appropriate.
This has led to a situation where our Community has several different names. This is problematic because it suggests that they are different communities. It is clear that we need one name that can be used the world over. It is also important that our name gives expression to the fact that, though we are a diverse Community, we are all unified by our commitment to the Three Jewels: the Buddha (the Ideal of Human Enlightenment), the Dharma (the Path leading to Enlightenment), and the Sangha (the Community of those following the Path).
The new name for the FWBO is "Triratna Buddhist Community" and the WBO (Western Buddhist Order) will become the "Triratna Buddhist Order". "Triratna" is a Sanskrit word and means "Three Jewels" so it very aptly encapsulates our central ideals. The name was given by our founder Sangharakshita who felt the time was right for a new name. The intention is that while "Buddhist Community" will be translated differently in different languages, "Triratna" will remain constant in every language and will therefore be used the world over.
(Triratna is pronounced as follows: Tri - short "i" as in "trip"; rat - short "a" as in "sofa"; na - short "a" as in "sofa").
Triratna Centres throughout the world are marking this change on Buddha Day this year. There'll be a major ritual at the upcoming International Retreat (28th May - 1st June) in the UK where we'll mark this significant development in the history of our Community. It promises to be a very inspiring event and about 500 people are expected to attend including a gang of us from Dublin.
We'll be ritually marking the change in our own neck of the woods on the DBC Buddha Day celebrations on the 13th June. Buddha Day is the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar when we celebrate the Buddha's attainment of complete Enlightenment. On Buddha Day I'll be leading a day where we'll explore the significance of the Buddha's Enlightenment. We'll have our own naming ritual and I'll introduce the new name more fully. Buddha Day is one of several festivals that we celebrate at the Centre and is an opportunity for the whole Sangha to gather and practice together. I hope you can make it.
As part of this name change we will also be showing four short films over two nights in June that give a sense of where we've come from. Also keep an eye out for a new book about the history of the Triratna Buddhist Community which should hit the Centre bookshop in the next month or so.
There have been three events at the centre that particularly stand out in my memory from the past few months. In February we had 5 mitra ceremonies on Sangha Night. It was a truly joyous night and the Centre was absolutely jammed with people there to witness Brendan, Colm, Izabel, Aoife, and Darragh taking this important step. Well done guys.
Later that same week our president, Subhadramati, came over to lead an evening where Karunadaka ritually handed over the chairmanship to me. It was a lovely night and I felt very happy to take on this responsibility. I was particularly delighted to have Karunadaka and other friends present. It was an evening of "garlands of speeches" and much rejoicing. Subhadramati gave a talk about what a chairman is and I spoke about what I'd like to see us continue doing at the Centre. In a nutshell, I said that what would make a real difference to newcomers and to Sangha people is honest and real communication between us.
The third event that stands out for me was the send off that we had for John Greaney for his journey to Guyhaloka and ordination into Triratna Buddhist Order. We had a great rejoicing in John. What emerged from hearing the rejoicings was what a fine and multi-faceted man he is. John will be back in late July. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing about the adventures that he has on his ordination retreat and his new name.
Over the next few months you'll see among familiar events a 'Growing into Who You Are' workshop with Dhammaloka, and a workshop called 'Death and the Only Beauty that Lasts' led by Siddhisambhava.
Last but not least: enclosed is a request for financial support for the DBC by standing order. Do please have a read of it and consider contributing to the work of the Centre in this way. Donations made by standing order make a significant difference to our financial stability and our capacity to extend the range of what we do. If you wish to give by standing order please fill in the attached form and return in the freepost envelope provided.
Much metta,
Jnanadhara,
Chairman.