What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

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Ervin
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What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Ervin »

Hi, I was just wandering about what's your opinion on the Triratna Buddhist school?

Thanks
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Grigoris
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Grigoris »

I've met some really good people from Triratna, solid and serious practitioners.

The organisation is a bit sus' though (as far as I am concerned). A little to cult-like for my liking.
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Mantrik
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Mantrik »

Check out FWBO, Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, which was their previous name.
I think they are trying to distance themselves from previous alleged scandals, but personally I wouldn't want to engage with them.
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Bakmoon
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Bakmoon »

I actually rather like the materials and talks they have put out over the years. Yes, they had the sex scandal with their leader but he is retired now.

I do disagree with their emphasis on members primarily taking teachings from them even though they describe themselves as an ecumenical organization, and I think this at times leads to a de-emphasis on the source material of the traditions they draw on, but that's just me.
dharmafootsteps
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by dharmafootsteps »

It's a question I've been pondering myself as some people very close to me are deeply involved in it.

Personally I have some difficulties around my view of the order, but I am in no way in a position to judge, so they could just be my own projections.

There are some quite scathing attacks on them online, but how justified they are I don't know. I do find this document quite illuminating however http://www.sangharakshita.org/What_is_t ... _Order.pdf

If you have some knowledge of Buddhism it'll probably help make up your own mind. It's from Sangharakshita himself, and is fairly recent, so can't be said to be an unfair representation of the order.
Blb
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Blb »

Read independent sources about fwbo (triratna) as you need a warts and all account of this organisation before making your decision. You won't find that using triratna site or any of its affiliated groups and there is a spiders web of spin out businesses under the triratna umbrella.

This is a link from to a comment from the lbc Facebook page, make sure you read the comments. It is summarised as capitalist pay as you go Buddhism and an expensive way to enlightenment. The dichotomy of free/ suggested donation £xyz. You can start to see why this is a multimillion pound business.

https://www.facebook.com/paul.iddon.39/ ... 54844019:0


This link is very incisive and extensive.

https://www.westernchanfellowship.org/l ... of-a-guru/


This is gives extensive details of methods and why it can be so difficult to leave once subsumed within such organisations.

http://www.ex-cult.org/fwbo/CofC.htm#recruit


Former members account as well as other links. Make sure you read the comments section in all pieces as there is a lot of detail and links to their own experiences.

https://buddhism-controversy-blog.com/c ... /triratna/

There is also another Facebook closed group (art of truth and reconciliation triratna) that has current and former members. You will need to join but there may be some use in finding out the experiences of former members. It can sometimes be combative so be aware that there are current members and defending the organisation.


There are many of the founder members including the founder who are still at the core of this organisation and it is these actions and teachings that are still at the heart of fwbo(triratna) so tread carefully and remember that faith is not found in gurus, sanghas, puja, retreats, yoga, talks, art, poetry, mindfulness based approaches, ordination or what ever else is being sold for you to continue on the path, it's found within and it's something that cannot be bought.
Malcolm
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by Malcolm »

Ervin wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:10 am Hi, I was just wandering about what's your opinion on the Triratna Buddhist school?
Caveat emptor.
DGA
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Re: What's your opinion on Triratna Buddhist school?

Post by DGA »

Ervin wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:10 am Hi, I was just wandering about what's your opinion on the Triratna Buddhist school?
My opinion? I avoid that organization.

Here's a recent discussion on it for context.

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=24907#p378030
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