In the third of our series on ‘My Going for Refuge’, Chandana talked about his Buddhist practice, past and present, in the context of Sangharakshita’s 6 ‘distinctive emphases’ of Triratna. For those who might not be familiar with these, they are:

– we have an ‘ecumenical’ approach, drawing on a wide range of models and practices; 

– we are a unified Order and movement, making no distinction between genders, and with no separation of ‘monk’ and ‘lay’;

– friendship is a uniquely valuable tool for spiritual growth;

– work is an important context for how we practise;

– an appreciation of, or engagement in, the arts is an important vehicle for opening the heart; 

– the act of Going for Refuge is central; how we do so varies from person to person and from time to time.