‘Tradition is the handing on of the flame, and not the worship of the ashes’  (Gustav Mahler)

Each year, on Sangharakshita’s birthday, Triratna Centres across the world celebrate his life and work with a special Puja (ritual) – a tradition that started in 2003 and is set to last 108 years. It is a timeless ritual marking the passing of time, recording those changes through photographs, film, and the signatures in anniversary log-books: a log-book of a community over 108 years.  Our Bristol book reflects the life of our local centre with 20 years worth of records kept within it.

Join Nirajadhi and Bodhipushpa as they host this event with a puja and offer some reflections on being a disciple of Bhante.  Please bring along your favourite bit of teaching or poetry from Bhante to share.

For more context, Saddhanandi writes about how this ritual came about:

‘I remember how this puja was the creation of Danavira, the visionary chair in Cambridge, who wanted our centres to be places of ritual and myth, as well as centres of study and training. This idea was then pursued by Mokshapriya who gathered together the special boxes, cloths, candles and photos – signed and blessed by Bhante himself. I remember leading this puja one year during an International Council meeting, and seeing the shrine room full of representatives from all over the world I asked them to ‘put up your hand if your local Buddhist Centre will be doing a 108 year puja this evening.’ Almost everyone raised their hand, it was a beautiful moment.’

Join Nirajadhi and Bodhipushpa as they host this event with a special puja. Please bring along your favourite bit of teaching or poetry from Bhante to share.  They will also have a short ‘conversation’ about what it means to them to be a disciple of Bhante and how aspects of this are  found in their friendship.

Your generosity is deeply appreciated, and is the lifeblood of the centre. Without it we wouldn’t be here. So thank you. If you’d like to give financially for this event then please do give here.