At the age of 29, Gautama, the man who would become the Buddha, left his comfortable home, his loving family, his friends and all his possessions in order to seek liberation from suffering for all beings. This event became known as the Great Going Forth or Great Renunciation.

Recently, Subhuti, a senior Order member, gave a talk in which he reiterated Going Forth as an ongoing practice.

But for us in the twenty-first century, whose lives may encompass a family, caring for relatives and working to pay the bills, it would not be possible to emulate Gautama’s going forth without causing hardship and suffering to those for whom we care. We also, of course, have attractions with which to contend such as mobile phones, computer games, TV and social media.

What, therefore, is the meaning for us of ‘Going Forth’, and how do we make it a part of our practice?

Join us for short talks, discussion, friendship and ritual on the topic of Going Forth on the Buddha Day Festival on May 11th.