MBC Sangha’s ‘Pure Land’ in Derbyshire !Here it is -‘Voices’,the new lookManchester Buddhist Centrenewsletter.

Many people have expressedhow much they missed the oldnewsletter, so a big welcome toa changed one with adifferent emphasis.

‘Voices’ will be published everythree months or so and aims toprovide a ‘voice’ for everyonein the centre - a place whereyour voices will shine through.So whatever you’re doing orhave done let us know, andwe’ll broadcast it to ourcommunity in style!

We want to let everyone knowwhat a lively and dynamiccommunity or ‘Sangha’ we are.We also want to tell you howour Buddhist Centre isdeveloping.We want to tell you about thefriendships that exist within theSangha, and how those friend-ships build our community –helping it go from strength tostrength.

The events from the past fewmonths have provided this firstedition with loads of news andarticles, and we hope you enjoyreading it.If you’d like to contribute, pleaseemail us at -mbcnewsletter@gmail.com

Janet and Vishangka

Voices"What a lovely retreat - we created a 'Pure Land in Derbyshire’. I feel such

gratitude that I am now part of this wonderful Manchester Sangha"(Sangha member)

What an amazing weekend we had at our annual Sangha retreat at Dukes Barn inDerbyshire at the end of July.

One retreatant said –

‘‘I felt the weekend was a great chance to feel a wider sense of Sangha. The teachingwas incredible; Vidyamala and Ratnaguna are such inspiring retreat leaders, exemplarsof what it could look like to have been practicing for decades! I especially liked thatnearly all the Heart Kula were there. I think this gave the retreat a lot of depth.’

Organiser Beth Mason soon realised that the forty-seven participants providedsomething of a challenge to her as it was the first time she had ever organised aretreat! – “To quote Vinny Jones in ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘it’s beenemotional’!” she commented wryly.

The retreat was so well subscribed that several people had to camp and theweather so good that everyone else probably wished they had offered as well!The two cooks, Barbara and Steve, rose to the challenge with amazing calmnessand produced fabulous vegan food all weekend.

The theme of the Retreat, ‘Pure Mind, Open Heart’, focused on the BuddhaAmitabha and his pure land Sukhavati .The shrine represented the pure land witha jewel tree covered in jewels, bells, flowers and butterflies, and a lotus pond.

Ratnaguna’s amazing talk on Amitabha and Sukhavati was totally mesmerising.We explored that land through sutras and music; imagining it, and seeing whatrelevance it has to our own lives. Ratnaguna told us that Sukhavati representsthe Sangha at its best – enclosed yet with limitless, boundless, spaciousness.

News from the Manchester Buddhist Centre Sangha

Welcome Autumn 2014

Vidyamala introduced a lovely visualisation practice ofAmitabha and talked about his qualities and how wetoo could develop those qualities. Usually depicted asa deep red, the colour of the setting sun, hesymbolises meditation and compassion. She spoke ofthe many different ways that Amitabha may appear tous - sometimes a very clear Buddha image, sometimesless structured – “like a stain of red in a blue sky.”She then told us that “…we see the world through‘mud.’ When it clears we can see the Buddha.” Andshe demonstrated this with a glass of mud and water!

Listening to her inspirational talk in the greatoutdoors in scorching temperatures under a tree, andthen meditating in the sunshine was a little like it musthave been when the Buddha was talking in India 2,500years ago. (Apart from the passing tractors!)

Later Vidyamala led a joyful Puja. Bubbles andsparklers added to the joy and several people madeofferings to the shrine more than once. It was trulyspecial.

On the last day Ratnaguna gave another spellbindingtalk about Sukhavati. After lunch and after a clear up,we left the tranquillity of the Pure Land for city lifefeeling uplifted, refreshed, relaxed and very happy.

Afterwards one retreatant said –

“It was a special retreat for me. ‘Transformational’ was my'one word summary’ at the closing gathering on the lastday.So, what did I mean by that? Twice I had entered into ashrine room session caught up in an unpleasant mood, withcritical thoughts abounding within me: and each time theexit mood was dramatically transformed by the practice.

So in summary - A retreat of "Transformation", - from theglum pits and occasional dips; to the free flight andjoyful ascent of a normal, happy human - fortunately in thecompany of a great Sangha in the Dharma.”

And finally……..Thank you to Beth for the brilliant organising; to theHeart Kula for all their support; to Barbara and Stevefor the fantastic cooking; to Janet for the lovely shrineand Bridie and Mary for the beautiful flowers; and toeveryone who came on this retreat and made it into anincredible weekend full of love, joy and, yes,‘transformation’.

And - thank you so very, very muchVidyamala and Ratnaguna for setting up theconditions for us all to experience such amagical taste of Amitabha and the PureLand Sukhavati in Derbyshire.

Sangha retreat

memoirs of a newbie retreatorganizer

I’m tired!I took on organising the sangha retreat in December2013. At that time I was on long term sickness benefitsrecovering from severe depression, so I thought doingthis weekend would keep me busy. Little did I knowthat by the time the retreat came round I’d be workingfull time and sending out retreat related e-mails on mynight shifts at 4am!

Overall it has been an amazing experience that I woulddefinitely recommend to anyone thinking of taking onthe role in the future.

Here are the roles of an organizer in a nut shell -● keep track of numbers booked● liaise with –the venue, the retreat leaders, the cooks● allocate rooms and dorms● book transport to get mats, cushions, food etc to the

venue and back● match up drivers to people needing lifts● sort out a rota for washing up and meal preparation● be an emergency contact● and lastly be on hand to resolve any other issues

Generally to cover all things behind the scenes so theOrder members can get on with running the

‘front of house’. So, essentially my role was, to quoteAlexander the Meerkat : - ‘Simples!’

As time went on , the number of people booked slowlycrept up to fifty people with twelve people camping.

I played Tetris a lot as a kid. I also used to be a bedmanager for a mental health trust juggling patients goingin and out of psychiatric ward beds across the city. Bothof these skills came in handy with room allocation or asI nicknamed it “bedmageddon”!I think by the time it got to the first night of the retreatI was up to room allocation version 12 or 13!

A Teacher at school always used to teach us the ‘6 P’s’-Perfect Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!So with my compulsive planning I felt pretty chilled outcome the first night of the retreat with nothing to dobut put signs up, meet and greet, gently prod peopletowards the community rota list, make a few practicalannouncements, and spend the weekend ringing a bellto either wake people up or summon them to the nextactivity.

After the retreat I felt 're-charged' like Supermandrawing his strength from the sun. Getting a huge roundof applause for my efforts as organizer definitelyconnected me to the Sangha!

To feel unconditionally loved and appreciated formaking the weekend run smoothly felt very special andreally touched my heart..

Bedmageddon! by Beth Mason

A year on…. Arthavadinlaunches a vision for the

MBC

EngagementIn November last year,two months after I’darrived as the new chair-man of the MBC, I gave apresentation to a meetingof the Order inManchester.I subsequently sharedwhat I said there withindividuals and groupsacross the sangha.

In fact, I talked to anyone that was willing to listen!I described my guiding principles, my impressions of theMBC and, most importantly, my intention to engagethe Order and Mitra sangha in the co-creation of avision.Even at that early stage, having heard the thoughts ofso many people, what seemed really clear was thecommonly and deeply held desire for the MBC to be aplace where Friends, Mitras and Order membersexperience the inspiration of the Dharma, the intimacyof meaningful spiritual friendship (kalyana mitrata), andan intensity of practice.

A year onNearly a year on, I feel that the MBC is thriving. It’spositively buzzing! So much has changed and ischanging…..and this is before we’ve launched andimplemented our vision! So, what have we done overthe past several months? Well, some of the highlightsfor me include the following:

▪ Arthapriya has been inaugurated as our president.▪ The Centre Team, Mitra Convenors and I now work

and practise together as the single entity known asthe Heart Kula.

▪ Several kulas have also sprouted up around spheresof shared interest and skill such as finance, communi-cation, the arts, engaged Buddhism, young people,volunteering … and yet more are on the horizon.

▪ Two new groups - the Dharma Dykes and the 12Step Recovery Group - meet at the centre.

▪ Local sangha clusters have sprung up and are meet-ing in Levenshulme, Glossop, North Manchesterand (very soon) South Manchester.

▪ We had a very well attended Rainy Season Retreat,with several impressive visiting speakers, focusingon the life and works of Sangharakshita and anequally successful and inspiring sangha retreat ledby Vidyamala and Ratnaguna.

▪ In June the Engaged Buddhist Kula organised a pro-gramme of direct action and other events as partof Buddhist Action Month.

▪ During the summer, the Arts Kula hung an exhibi-tion of sangha members’ artwork on the groundand first floors of the MBC. It’s currently prepar-ing a programme of cultural events for Novemberwhich will be our Month of Arts and Imagination.

▪ We’ve introduced a Wednesday evening SanghaPractice Night, a new Friday lunch time Going forRefuge and Prostration Practice session (specificallyfor Order members and Mitras training for Ordina-tion)

▪ Since August, we now offer lunch time drop-inmeditation classes to the public on a free/donationbasis five days a week from Monday to Friday.

▪ In memory of Stan Kukalowicz, who tragically diedjust months after joining the Heart Kula, we havelaunched a bursary scheme to provide financialsupport to Mitras training for Ordination and Or-der members who otherwise wouldn’t be able toafford to go on a Triratna retreat. Also, in the spiritof generosity, we are making it known that we don'twant to turn anyone away simply because they can'tafford to go on MBC retreats, or the charges forevents at the centre. (We encourage anyone in thisposition to talk to us.)

▪ A whole posse of people have joined the Mitrasangha and three Mitras training for Ordination -Ursula Tidd, Gary Schooler and Richard Weeden -will soon be returning to the MBC as our newestOrder members.

There’s so much more that I could report here but I’llleave it there for now. I will, however, mention onelast and very welcome innovation - our newnewsletter. Sadhu!

Manchester Buddhist Centre Vision

by Arthavadin

MBC Vision by Arthavadin

VisionDrawing on ideas generated as part of the ‘Building theBuddha Land’ initiative instigated by Dayamala in 2012,the numerous formal and informal consultations I’vehad with people over the last year, the findings ofresearch conducted by Lynn Marie (and to a lesserextent myself) with Order members, and the facilitateddeliberations of the Trustees and the Heart Kula - I’mpleased to present our new vision for the MBC.

In brief, it comprises the following elements:

The MBC is a place for human transformationthrough following the radical path of the Buddha.We are a Triratna Centre and part of the world-wideTriratna movement founded by Sangharakshita.

It offers:

●A widely available, clear system of Dharmatraining, in line with Sangharakshita’s presenta-tion, supporting spiritual growth at all levels ofinvolvement.

●A diverse, radically engaged network of inti-mate spiritual friendships that reflects deepen-ing practice of the Dharma.

●A strong, committed engagement in environ-mental and social initiatives, in the Centre andthe local community, which brings about posi-tive change in line with Buddhist values.

●A vibrant culture of imaginative, creative andartistic exploration, encouraging receptivity tothe mysterious, indefinable mythic dimension.

●An effectively governed, efficient, sustainableand well-resourced charity exemplifying Bud-dhist principles, benefitting the people of Man-chester and beyond.

In some respects (and perhaps not surprisingly) whatwe’ve co-created here isn’t a million miles away fromthe vision expressed at the opening of the MBC onTurner street in 1996:

The MBC hopes to play a significant part in the social andspiritual renewal of urban Manchester. Through theprovision of facilities and conditions which will promote thespiritual development of the individual, we aim to realizeSangharakshita’s vision of a New Society in the heart of thecity. Through doing this, we hope to influence the widersociety in a positive way.” MBC Newsletter 1996

Taking the vision forwardsOver the coming months, I look forward to exploringand elaborating upon our collective vision and itsimplications….and, of course, hearing your views andreceiving feedback.

However, we must and will go beyond talking. Theimperative is to translate the vision into objectives thatinform our actions - both as individuals and as acohesive sangha. The vision must make a tangible andpositive difference to our lives as practicing Buddhists!Given that so much of what we’re already doing isalready contributing to our vision I’m confident aboutour future.

Since 1996 the MBC on Turner Street has been anexcellent launching pad for the Dharma in Manchester.Now, 18 years later, I think we’re ready to take off ona mission that will change us all. 10, 9, 8, 7…….

I’m VERY excited!

Arthavadin(Chairman, Manchester Buddhist Centre)

Suryaka reflectson herparticipation in theMBC visioningprocess

Setting a course for thefuture When I think of the vision for theMBC my mind turns to the first limbof the Noble Eight Fold Path - thepath of vision. For most of us thismight be just a glimpse of how thingsreally are - something that has liftedus out of our usual perspective onlife, something more expansive,whole, real and mysterious.Then there is the path oftransformation - the challenge ofbringing about changes in how wethink, speak and act so that weincreasingly live our lives more inline with that glimpse of somethinghigher.

The Manchester Buddhist Centrehas been at its current location onTurner Street since 1996. So, weare now 18. We have come of ageand it’s time to make somesignificant decisions and set ourcourse for the future. In whatdirection do we want to go andwhy? How will we get there?

New ChairmanIn August last year Arthavadinjoined the MBC as our new

Chairman and since then he’s beenlike a dog with a bone. He’s wantedto know all about how the MBCserves the sangha, what works hereand, more importantly, how couldit work even better? In any situationit’s so easy to become habitual, totake for granted the way thingsare….and to not see how theycould be different.

VisioningI’m aware that Arthavadin spentmuch of his first year meeting upwith people and groups to find outwhat they appreciated about theMBC and sangha, and how theywould like it to be going forwards.Lynn-Marie has also been helpingwith this by conducting numerousin-depth interviews with Ordermembers on his behalf.

Then, about six months ago,Arthavadin instigated a more formalvisioning process. This drew uponhis and Lynn-Marie’s findings andfocused specifically on the thoughtsand feelings of those with formalresponsibilities at the MBC - theTrustees and the Heart Kula.The Trustees are responsible forthe spiritual direction andgovernance of the MBC. The HeartKula manages and co-ordinates itsevents and activities on behalf of theTrustees and the wider sangha.

I've been part of all the visioningsessions and I, along with everyoneelse involved, have been enlivenedby the process which has been veryably facilitated by Singhashri.She encouraged us to bring all ofourselves into the meetings and tonot hold back. I think we did justthat. The energy flowed between usand I'm confident no elephants havebeen left under the carpet!

Moving forwardsWe came together as a group ofpeople who care deeply about ourBuddhist Centre and, through

sharing our hopes and aspirations,exciting possibilities quickly beganto emerge. It has been a very joyfuland productive exploration.Together we have co-created a newvision for our centre. Now we justhave to translate it into somethingtangible that makes a positivedifference to our experience of ourcentre and sangha. I look forwardto exciting times ahead.

MBC Vision by Suryaka

The 18-40 group meets twice amonth. Using Vajragupta’s bookBuddhism: Tools for Living Your Lifeas the basis for sessions through-out 2014 we’ve covered a lot ofdifferent topics: loving-kindness,practising at work, mindfulness,the ‘worldly winds’, imagining theBuddha, and ethics – to name justa few!A number of guest OrderMembers, Singhashri, Arthaketuand Manjunaga, have shared theirexperience on what it means topractice Buddhism today. Bigthanks to them. Upcomingsessions will focus on friendship,wisdom, ritual, compassion, anddeath and rebirth. We’re alsohoping to have at least one art-based session in November, andthere’s the big young people’sretreat at Adhisthana in Novem-ber too! So there a lot happen-ing…If you’re in your twenties andthirties and have done a BuddhismLevel 1 course, then come along.Our sessions are on the first andthird Friday of every month at7PM.Email us for more info:1840buddhists@gmail.com

With mettaBecks, Graham, Jane, Lydia, Paul,Rich, and Simon – the 18-40group team.

18-40 groupby Richard Millington

Ursula by Mary Tait

The shrine was decorated in red and gold to markthe strong connection Ursula feels to Amitabha,and her throne (or cunningly disguised chair fromthe coffee area) was blue, the colour of ordination.As friends from all aspects of her Buddhist lifestood up to speak, it was clear that we all knew thesame Ursula – warm, caring, deeply committed tothe Dharma and lots of fun, to name but a few ofthe qualities mentioned.A slight canine obsession also emerged, not just forthe cute and cuddly variety but also for all the waifsand strays of India she encountered during hervisit.She, in turn, shared her experiences, not holdingback from those which had touched her deeply andclearly still do.

After offerings to the Buddha, many rose petalswere thrown over Ursula during which there mayeven have been some light hearted throwing back!

It was a time of sharing which filled the Lotus Hallwith warmth, joy and spiritual possibility.Much metta to Ursula as she travels on her journeyto ordination and may we all be able to pronounceher new name!

Richard and Gary by Michael ProcterRichard and Gary’s send off was marked with alovely and very positive evening rejoicing in theirmerits,a short Puja, then tea and cakes.Mahasraddha led the evening with a talk whichoutlined what their ordination journey, past,present and future represented - “the ultimate in us,responding to the ultimate in the universe”, asSangharakshita has said. Ordination marks thebeginning of a much vaster journey andMahasraddha reminded them to be prepared forthe significant impact it will have.Gary thanked his family with a special mention tohis younger son Ewan who had taken a night offfootball practice to attend!Gary talked about his initial contact with Buddhism,and what happened in his life which causedfeelings to stir and the search for answers to thequestions he faced. Gary's practice continues asstrong as ever within the pressures and demandsthat a full family and working life brings. He invitedanyone finding themselves faced with similarpressures to talk to him.

Richard had just returned from a long solitaryretreat. His acerbic wit, his 'knowing look' anduncanny ability to know what's wrong with you(even before you know it) make up this brilliant,complex and endlessly interesting individual!Richard drew attention and appreciation to thepeople who’ve helped along his journey. Inparticular Mahasraddha who has worked withenergy, passion and integrity with the men forwhom he is to be Preceptor; his partner Leticia;friend Arthaketu; and the men in the Communitywhere he lives, whom he clearly regards asheroes!.Sangharakshita was finally thanked, a man whoseinfluence and reach were recognised.Well done and sadhu! to these two thoroughlydecent, true and upstanding men.

UrsulaGary

Richard

Celebrating Ordination send -offs!

Stop press!!Ursula was publicly ordained on

12th September.

Her new Buddhist name wasAnnounced :

Dharmakarunya

She whose compassion is from the Dharma

Several years ago, I cared for my older sister, through her battle with cancer, easing her transition from life todeath. I organised her medical treatment, sorted her tablets, helped her say her goodbyes. She lived with me forfour months, from diagnosis to when she died in a hospice house, a few days after her admission.

Throughout my sister’s illness, and after her death, my mother, also, lived with me. A few months after mysister died, my mother went in hospital for an operation, from which she never fully recovered. I cared for her,as I had my sister, setting her up in a hospital bed in my living room, sorting tablets and oxygen and feedingtubes. She died eleven months after my sister, having transferred to the same hospice house, just five daysbefore her death.

During this time, I was closely connected to a progressive Christian church, located in the suburbs of Tampa,Florida. I had been with them for several years, helped form their ministry to the homeless, been involved inpeace groups and study groups, much the same as my current level of involvement with the Buddhist Centre,here. It was my spiritual community. Yet, when I faced my darkest moments, there were few from thatcommunity who reached out to me. I received a few phone calls, a few vague offers of help (call me if you needanything,) and a couple of visits from the Associate Pastor. For the most part, however, I felt abandoned bythose I had once considered friends.

I have often reflected on why that community seemed ill-prepared to meet me in those difficult days andmonths. Many of them were wealthy, and could afford the best medical care and comforts. Perhaps they, likethe Buddha’s father, believed that their wealth could shield them from the reality of sickness and old age anddeath. Perhaps they avoided me because my experience was a threat to their closely guarded delusions. Perhapsthey avoided me to avoid the realisation that these terrible losses could happen to them.

Five years later, I had changed many things—my work, my country of residence, my marital status, and myspiritual community. I moved to London in 2009, became a Buddhist in 2010, and a Mitra in 2011. I met myhusband in 2011, got married in 2012, moved to Glossop, and joined the Sangha at the Manchester BuddhistCentre in 2013.

My husband, Stan Kukalowicz, had been involved with MBC for many years, and was a well-loved Sanghamember. Stan had recently become a part of the Heart Kula at the Centre, and his relationship to the Dharmaand the Sangha grew deeper everyday. While he was well known by most everyone, I was new to the Sanghaand did not feel closely connected. Until the 9th of June.

The Transformative Power of Sangha by Tricia E. Bratton

On the 24th of May, the police came to our door to inform us that Stan’s son, Gavin, had been found dead. Itwas a sad and stressful time. We spent the next few weeks preparing for his funeral. Stan reached out to hisfriends in the sangha and received much support.

On the 9th of June, at the conclusion of his son’s funeral, Stan finished reading a moving tribute he had written,walked hand in hand with me outside the chapel, collapsed to the ground, and died.

Nothing could have prepared me or his family for such a tragic loss. We were all stunned as we gatheredaround his bed at the A&E to kiss him goodbye. Next, we had to go to his son’s wake to tell all those who hadcome that Stan, too, had died. We texted and emailed sangha and Order members to let them know of theirfriend’s sudden death.

From the moment they learned of his passing, the MBC sangha wrapped themselves around me and his family,helping us to honour him and sharing our shock and tears. Two days after he died, the sangha held a puja forhim, with around 50 people in attendance. Three days after his death, Arthavadin and Dayanandi invited me tothe Centre to meet with them and make plans for his funeral. My son and daughter and I walked into thecentre, and were greeted by a framed picture of Stan placed near a burning candle at the reception desk. Wewere escorted upstairs, where members of the Heart Kula hugged us and cried with us. Arthavadin andDayanandi spent hours with us that day, and a few days later, when they came to my home and met with hischildren and friends.

Others from the Sangha reached out to me. Women from my study group came to our Glossop Sanghameeting, where we gathered to share memories and meditate and rejoice in my beloved husband’s merits.Outpourings of love and compassion surrounded me from all corners of the Sangha in those early days. Theysaw to it that his funeral ceremonies were meaningful and beautiful. They ensured that his family and I weretreated with respect and with tender and loving care. They held me up when I could not do it for myself.

Three months later, the Sangha continues to reach out to me with offers of love and support. There are novague messages of ‘call me if you need anything.’ Instead, I receive invitations to share a meal, meet for a cup oftea, share a lift into the centre, gifts of books or articles or workshops on grief. They do not retreat from theawful and poignant tragedy of his loss. They do not shrink from talking with me about it and about him. Theirsupport continues, long past the time when others would have moved on with their own lives and placed hismemory in the background of their thoughts.

Why has my experience been so different? Both communities purport to hold each other up in their darkestmoments. Both offer messages of spiritual uplift and hope. Yet the Christian community could not walk with medown that frightening path, where we are all exposed to the deepest feelings of helplessness and despair. Butthe Buddhist Sangha could meet me, and those feelings, head on, with compassion and empathy and love.

Perhaps it is because we train and practise to meet the fullness of our experience, however unpleasant. Perhapsit is our emphasis on impermanence and the recognition of it in our own lives that makes the difference.Perhaps it is due to the extraordinary nature and strength of our Manchester Sangha.

Whatever the reason, the Sangha’s support of me, and of Stan’s family, their willingness to tread with methrough these turbulent waters, has transformed my life. For the first time in my life, I feel able to begin to openmyself to trust. I feel rooted and supported in these difficult days. I have now asked for ordination. I want tolearn how to be there for others in the way that this Sangha has been there for me.

The Manchester Sangha is the Dharma in action in the world, and I am proud and happy to be apart of it.

“If we could be sure that we would never experience sorrow ordisappointment, we would have no need of the Buddha’s teaching.

But, things as they are, we need to find a way to deal with ourhuman predicament.”

Sangharakshita - Living with Kindness

The Transformative Power of Sangha

I have lived in the Levenshulme area forquite some time and I am so pleased we aredeveloping Sangha in the local area. It feelslike we are building Sangha in a collective,low key and organic way, working with eachother’s contexts and conditions as much aspossible. Being local, it has felt we can workwith the area, engaging with the spaces andplaces available to us – so we can moveabout and accommodate our meetings in avariety of ways.

I have also appreciated that we have, wherepossible, tried to create spaces andopportunities for people to bring theirchildren too. We have met to meditate andpractice together in Helen & Paul’s, Lauraand Si’s houses and on Adele’s allotment ;

we have breakfasted at local cafes and brought food to share at Adele’s allotment, we have gone for walks in thelocal area and joined a local environmental group spreading wild flower seed bombs. We have connections in thelocal area with various community groups and there is the potential for developing more links.

Rather than this being simply a piece by me, I canvassed the group for their views on our meetings.

Ruby (Vishangka’s daughter) – “I think they are fun. For example when we cooked chips on the fire it wassomething new and I got to do it with other Buddhists like my Dad.”

Vishangka – “It’s been great to have something on my doorstep – not having to travel into town! It has also feltmuch easier to bring my daughter Ruby to things too. Each meeting has felt really relaxed and I’ve really enjoyedgetting to know some people in the Sangha much better through our local meet ups. It’s brought home to mewhat I value about where I live – the green spaces, the cafes, but most of all the people. It’s also starting to beclearer what links we all have in the community – local schools, allotments etc. Helen and I recently visited a localprimary school to do a question and answer session for the year sixes on Buddhism, which went really well.”

Helen – “ moved to Levenshulme in January with the main reason being the sense of community from havingquite a few Sangha members close by … it feels like there is a lot of potential among us. The first time we hadeveryone over and practised puja and mediation in our tiny lounge was ace! I love not always having to travel intotown for a sense of connection with the sangha, whether that’s organised or randomly bumping into each otherat the market, on the train etc. I think my highlight has been spending time with Vishangka’s daughter Ruby, andlistening to her play guitar and sing for us while homemade chips were frying up on the fire pit at Adele’s beautifulallotment.”

Paul – “Our meet-ups have really made me feel like I am living in an extended community of people who sharemy values, ideals and ethics – this is so important for those of us who are still very much living ‘in the world’. Ithas also made me feel much more settled about living in Levenshulme and putting roots down here long term.”

Adele – “I like that it feels very organic and natural, like a group of friends meeting and getting to know eachother, sharing spaces and places and letting things develop and build amongst ourselves.”

Laura – “The meet-ups have helped me feel part of a little local network of people. It’s also great to be able tomeet up, meditate, chat and do nice things with other Buddhists without having to travel into town. It’s alsomeant that I’ve got to know new people and have developed friendships with people close by. It’s lovely to bumpinto people from the Sangha when I’m out and about in Levenshulme.”

Levenshulme Sangha by Sophie Smailes

In June 2014, Manchester Buddhist Centre, along withother Triratna Centres and Buddhist Organisationacross the UK, took part in Buddhist Action Month(BAM).

Engaged Buddhist KulaThe Engaged Buddhist Kula pulled a schedule of eventstogether around the theme of “caring for our planet”,and endeavoured to make it the best BAM yet. And, atthe risk of sounding a bit smug... did pretty well!

Radical ethicsThere was a great turn out for the Radical Ethics Eventat the start of the month. Each person spoke about theirpractice of one of the precepts, and made further ethicalpledges. These were then written on to leaves, and stuckonto an ethical pledge tree in the reception area ofMBC. By the end of the month, the tree was coveredwith a fantastic array of pledges ranging from givingsomething away daily, to not buying non- essential items.It was a precious opportunity for Sangha members toask themselves the question, “How can I practice ethicsmore deeply?”

EcologySome of the kula stepped out with WythenshawEcology Unit to take part in a fascinating nature walk,and learn how to trap small mammals safely so they canbe studied. Protecting wildlife habitats was also on theagenda when a few people gathered to litter pickaround the beautiful Irwell River in Salford, working inpartnership with the charity, “Clean up Salford”. Thegroup didn't manage to completely “Clean up Salford”(a tall order for anyone) but gave it a go!

Global warmingOne Friday night there was a gathering in the Vajra Hallto eat popcorn (don't tell the Centre team!) and watchAl Gore's sobering documentary, “An InconvenientTruth”. If you ever need reminding that actions really dohave consequences, you need look no further than this!

FlashmobThe highlight of BAM was a Flash Mob Meditation heldin Manchester City Centre. There was a fantastic

turnout of about 40 people (or Dharma warriors!) Theymeditated for 40 minutes in the middle of the city.People donned signs expressing the views that weshould all, “Consume less”, “Be happy” and “Care forour planet” Some passers-by looked interested (orpuzzled!) and asked what was happening. A few evendecided to join in.It was incredibly moving to see members of the Sanghaexpress something that felt both beautiful and profound,just through the simple process of sitting down andshutting up! It was a powerful reminder that it'spossible to say something passionately, without saying itloudly or aggressively. It was also a reminder thatsymbolic acts such as sitting on the ground in a busyshopping centre can be both very powerful and verybeautiful, and have the potential to affect people in waysthat are impossible to fathom.

Two abiding impressions of BAM remain:● In order to live a truly ethical life, we need to have a

deeper sense of the consequences of our actions,both for ourselves and for other beings.

● An ethical life, caring for our planet and for eachother, is a beautiful life, and the only life that makesany sense at all.

Beyond Buddhist Action Month?Ideas include:•More Food Banks•Another Flash Mob Meditation – watch out fordetails!•Volunteering with Syria Relief•Film Nights

If you're interested in the Engaged Buddhist Kula , youcan contact us on Facebook (MCR Engaged Buddhists)or email us on mcrengagedbuddhists@yahoo.co.uk.Alternatively, you can call Manchester Buddhist Centrewho will pass on a message to us, or speak to anymember of the EBK (Helen Sullivan, Claire Morris,Maggie Muir, Annie Bracken, Simon Bradley, SimonHaves) at the centre.

Buddhist Action Month by Paul Whitehead

Please note the views and opinions expressed in Voices are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those held by thetrustees of Manchester Buddhist Centre or by the Triratna Buddhist Community/Triratna Buddhist Order in general.

Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16 – 20 Turner Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1DZphone - 0161 834 9232

email - info@manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.ukweb - www.manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk

Manchester Buddhist Centre is run by the Triratna Buddhist Community in Manchester, charity registration number 514937

If you’d like to contribute something to Voices email Janet Hill or Vishangka at mbcnewsletter@gmail.com

Arts at the Manchester BuddhistCentre

The Arts kula has been formed to facilitate thepractice and expression of the Arts at the MBC andbeyond.

Our teacher, Sangharakshita says that a key toengaging with the spiritual life is through theimagination. Imagination is a faculty that can bedeveloped and refined, and can be connected with thetraditional Buddhist faculties of faith and wisdom: waysof experiencing that go far beyond rational conceptsor feelings.

The Arts can help us perceive life in its wholeness:with both reason and emotion, and through imagesand metaphor. They offer an opportunity to developand refine our sensitivities and emotional life, openingto beauty and truth - a way into higher states ofconsciousness and insights.

We hope you've enjoyed the launch of a first themedexhibition “What the Heart is Like” showingSangha members' creative work. We intendexhibitions to become a regular feature at the Centre.

In August we hosted a successful evening ofpoetry, singing and music by the Smoke andMirrors collaborative (Bristol and Belgium Sanghamembers) to fundraise for Vajraloka RetreatCentre. We raised around £300.A Sangha member later said of it, “ It was a lovelyevening, where Sangha friendships deepened; we metwith old friends and we did some good for anothercentre. Let’s do another one!”

If you haven't yet visited the Arts website, please takea look -arts.manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk

The site is set up for you to share your art andcreativity and to let you know of Sangha Arts relatedgroups (e.g. creative writing, poetry) and events. If youhave ideas for facilitating workshops or retreats in thefuture there is a form to download , complete andsubmit.

Each field of art has a dedicated link to people fromthe Arts Kula to support you in this – just see theHome Page 'Who We Are'.

So, what next?November is Arts and Imagination month at theCentre. This will be the theme for a newexhibition of arts throughout the Centre. If you areinterested in exhibiting – speak to a member of theArts Kula or go onto the website.

As well as a new exhibition, there are a number ofevents planned throughout November -

Friday 31st October, 7.00-9.30pm – Evening ofPoetry with Ananda and others.Saturday 1st November – Arts Festival Launch● 2 pm - Public Talk by Ratnaguna● 7pm - Solo Theatre Performance by Drew Bird

(Friends and family welcome to both events.)Saturday 1st/ Sunday 2nd November, 10.30 -4.30pm - Wolf at the Door creative writing work-shop.

The programme of events (dance, movement,visual art, solo performance, poetry, talks ...) is still tobe finalised. Check out notice boards, website, emails,Facebook over the coming weeks.

Finally, we invite all of you during the month ofNovember to consider how to weave the arts andimagination into your practice.

We look forward to seeing you at something inNovember.

Arts at the MBC by Gill Aitken