From Jnanadhara
January 2012
Dear friend,
I hope this finds you well.
These last few days I've been tidying up my desk and filing away all kinds of items from this year, 2011. It's led me to reflect on all that has happened over the year, and given me an overriding sense that the Centre has had a very good year indeed, with much to rejoice in.
In October I was present at Padmaloka, in the U.K. together with some other Dublin friends of ex-Tony Keogh for his ordination. We were there to witness him and five other men take this very important step in their Dharma-lives. As part of their ordination each new member of the Triratna Buddhist Order is given a new name that represents spiritual qualities that they are aspiring to cultivate in their life. During the ceremony we heard that Tony was now Maitrikaya, which means the 'embodiment of love'. Everybody that I've spoken to agrees that he is aptly named indeed! It's been a delight to see him around the Centre in such good form wearing his shining bright kesa. Congratulations Maitrikaya!
Maitrikaya is the latest in a long line of Order Members who made their first contact with Triratna in Ireland since our activities began here in 1990. The continued strengthening of the Sangha in Ireland was just one of many things we were able to celebrate in November, as part of a weekend of celebrations to mark our birthday. We kicked off the festivities on the Friday night when myself and Subhadramati, our Centre President, had a conversation exploring the theme 'What is a Buddhist Centre?' Amongst other things, we discussed how participating in the activities of a Buddhist Centre can be an integral part of one's Dharma practice, and how one can act for the benefit of others as a means of making spiritual progress oneself.
That Saturday we had the birthday shindig itself, the highlight of which was a fascinating discussion that saw Sanghapala, our founder, being interviewed by Subhadramati about the beginnings of our community in Dublin. The early days were very vividly evoked by this conversation, together with archival video and photos. I was impressed by the dynamic atmosphere of creativity, idealism and youthful enthusiasm that prevailed at the time, and the energy that comes from people working together on a brand new collective project with an explicit altruistic dimension. Thank you Sanghapala, for providing the spark that got things going.
It felt particularly apt to have our Sangha Day Festival on the Sunday of our birthday weekend, as Sangha is what we have been in the business of creating over these 21 years! As part of the day we had an open space where anybody who wished could express their appreciation for the Sangha. It was very moving to hear how people had been touched by their contact with our community, and the significant changes it had precipitated in their lives. These rejoicings, and the events over the preceding days, created a very positive atmosphere for the Mitra ceremonies that took place during the puja that followed. Subhadramati gave a talk reminding us all what it means to become a Mitra, before Siobhan O'Donnell and Gustavo Nicolosi took this significant step. Sadhu to you both!
Looking back over where we have come from, at all the many people who have come and gone, at all the projects undertaken, and reflecting on where we are now as a community, makes it more apparent just how fluid and impermanent everything really is. Sometimes I think the fact we have our own Centre now, with a semblance of permanence and stability, conceals the fluid nature of the Sangha and our activities. The fact is we have to be always responding to the situation as it is at each moment and re-making the Sangha at every step. I suspect that the fact that this is so obvious when things are in their infancy, gives new endeavours a lot of the energy they need to succeed. If a community such as ours is to continue to thrive we need to keep that spirit of energy and creativity very much alive.
Happily I can say that during the fundraise that we had for the soundproofing of the shrine rooms, it was abundantly evident that this spirit is very much alive amongst us. It was very inspiring to see how people really got in behind it, by offering skills to auction, gifts of money and help in so many other ways. So much so that we actually exceeded the target that we set for the soundproofing, which has helped us to undertake some other important improvements to the Centre. Well done us!
So ends one chapter in the history of our community - and so begins another. For a full list of the many events coming up in and around the Centre in the New Year, see the following pages. One event to which I'd like to alert you in particular is a retreat we are holding at the Old Rectory (formerly Chrysalis) in Co. Wicklow on February 10th - 12th. As we are aware that our usual venue is not a suitable retreat location for everyone, we're hoping that providing a retreat at a more comfortable venue will enable a wider range of people to attend.
Wishing you happy times over the holiday season and all the best for 2012!
Much metta,
Jnanadhara