Talks by Sangharakshita to the WBO
These talks were given to members of the Western Buddhist Order but may be of interest and use to those in training to join the WBO.
15 Points for Old and New Order Members
In this lively talk given on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Western Buddhist Order, Sangharakshita exhorts all members of the Order to deepen their own personal practice of the Dharma and to be even more vigorous in their attempts to communicate the Dharma to the wider world. Order Members should not think in terms of accepting themselves; they should think interms of renunciation; and be more conscious of their responsibilities as citizens. These are just three of the fifteen thought-provoking points made here which will be of interest not only to the Order Members to whom they were originally addressed, but to anyone interested in the practice of Buddhism in the modern world. (90 mins)
Extending the Hand of Fellowship
Speaking on the 28th anniversary of the Western Buddhist Order Sangharakshita presented this meticulously thought-out paper concerning the relationship of the Order to the rest of the Buddhist world. He identifies three principles in which to explore this relationship: ecumenicity, orthodoxy and personal contact. He explains how there is not one Buddhist world but many and how the WBO relates to each, discusses the criteria for orthodoxy in Buddhism and finally indicates in what spirit Order members should relate to other Buddhists. This paper is the third in a series of three, the first being The History of my Going for Refuge and the second My Relation to the Order. (108 mins)
Reflections on Going Forth
On the 50th anniversary of his ‘Going Forth’, speaking at the 1997 WBO convention, Sangharakshita shares his current reflections in relation to that historic event and the Buddha’s Noble Quest. He gives a brief account of different levels of Going Forth and then speaks more specifically in terms of going forth from body, speech and mind, touching on the areas of going forth from country and language, and the practise of silence during meals. (90 mins.)
The Next 20 Years
On WBO Day 1988, the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Western Buddhist Order, its founder, Sangharakshita, reflects informally on his hopes and fears for the next 20 years. He touches on a wide range of topics including the handing over of his responsibilities. He exhorts the Order (and the movement more generally) to practice mindfulness more seriously, to improve politeness and to go out into society to make clear the Buddhist conception of ethics, as well as to take an active part in combatting racial prejudice and develop what he calls 'an ecological dimension'. (84 mins)
Looking Ahead A Little Way
Talking at the 1999 Order Convention Sangharakshita speaks about the Buddhist vision of history as cyclic, and that Buddhism also arises and declines. He enumerates six emphasis of the FWBO/TBMSG, of which the centrality of Going for Refuge is the most important, and says that although the movement is flourishing this is not guaranteed. He states that disharmony within the Order is more damaging than opposition from without, that the Order needs to be in true harmony, and the only means by which this can happen is that sufficient Order Members make their Going for Refuge real. (70 mins.)
Handing on the Headship of the Order
Celebrating his 75th birthday Sangharakshita completed the process of passing on all formal responsibilities relating to the FWBO and WBO by handing on the headship of the Order. His short talk is followed by Dharmachari Subhuti’s acceptance of the headship on behalf of those involved and a talk in which he explores the relevance of this pivotal moment for the future of the Order and movement. (20 and 60 mins.)