November News
An appeal to connect Singhadharma with sangha
Singhadharma is our solo Order member living in Patagonia-Argentina. She was ordained in 2022 and works full time as a teacher to support herself, her young son and mother.
She’s an incredibly positive young woman but living so far away from sangha can be hard going. She wants and needs to get on retreats and gather with other Order members to remain inspired and deepen her connections with the Order. Such trips will also support Singhadharma’s plans to start a sangha group in her hometown of Provincia de Neuquen.
The Abhayaratna Trust supports international travel to retreats in exceptional circumstances, and because Singhadharma is so far away from sangha, this is one of those exceptions. Because getting on retreat anywhere means overseas travel for Singhadharma, and the inflation rates of around 30% in Argentina means her monthly salary is nowhere near enough to buy a flight out of the country.
We are appealing for your help to raise £5,000 as a retreat fund for Singhadharma, that she can draw on to get to Mexico and further afield to meet and practice with her preceptor, Paramachitta, and other Order members.
Paramachitta writes: ‘Since I met Singhadharma, many years ago, I have seen her make it a priority to cultivate and maintain the friendships and relationships she has in Mexico and Spain. She has used her initiative and incredible dedication to the Dharma to inspire her to do what she needs to do to keep her practice alive.
‘Although she lives so far away I am impressed by her efforts to make her life as an Order Member meaningful, that it be effective and also not only sustained by online activities. She is a bit of a heroine really and will hugely benefit from attending in person retreats and Order gatherings (as will others from meeting her). Given her situation, financial support is necessary to make this happen. So I wholeheartedly support this appeal.’
To help Singhadharma, please donate here if you bank in the UK, or here to donate securely if you bank elsewhere.
10% of what you give today plus any UK Gift Aid we can collect, will support other Triratna Order members in need of financial assistance.
Thank you. If you have any questions or wish to donate in other ways, including by cheque, please email jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org.
Training and business grants - a new initiative
Image: freepik.com
Are you an Order member wishing to train or retrain to support yourself in future? Or do you have the necessary skills but not the means to start a small business?
If a lack of funds is getting in the way of your building a sustainable livelihood, you might want to get in touch with us about our new training and business start-up grants. We can now offer modest grants of up to £1,500 to those with limited savings, and consider running an appeal where more than that is needed.
Much of our grant work is focused on helping Order members with immediate financial difficulties, as well as funding retreats, but we are keen to explore supporting some Order members to build an ongoing source of income for themselves through training or starting their own business. We have been making start-up business grants in India since the covid pandemic caused many Order members there to lose their jobs; we are now open to applications from Order members elsewhere in the world. Get in touch with taradakini@abhayaratnatrust.org for more information.
A new kind of retreat at Adhisthana
Oak tree at Adhisthana
The largest age demographic of the Order is now 60 and over, and we are increasingly witnessing the Three Sights, especially ageing and sickness, within the Order. Witnessing these Three Sights once compelled Siddhartha to seek solutions to the challenges and difficulties of these inevitable stages of human life.
Perhaps we too experience a similar sense of urgency to deepen our practice in response to the Three Sights, just as Siddhartha did. But how do we maintain an effective Dharma life as our bodies and minds undergo the ageing process, often marked by a decline in physical and mental capacities? And how do we continue to contribute to the Triratna Order and Community if we so wish?
These questions and more will be the focus of a retreat initiated by the Abhayaratna Trust in collaboration with Adhisthana. The retreat, happening 12-17 October 2025, is exclusively for Order members aged 65 and over, and is a unique opportunity for members in this age demographic to come together and explore Dharma practice amidst the challenges and opportunities of ageing.
The Dharma text that will be studied during the retreat is the Dasadhamma Sutta, in which the Buddha cuts to the chase by outlining 10 essential reflections for a Dharma practitioner to contemplate repeatedly. These reflections can provide clear direction for our Dharma lives.
The retreat will run in person and online and will be led by a team of very experienced Dharmacharis and Dharmacharinis. (Book early for in-person attendance as places are limited.)
If finances are a concern, you may be eligible for a retreat and UK travel grant from the Abhayaratna Trust. For details, visit: Abhayaratna Trust Support at https://abhayaratnatrust.org/get-support.
Please direct any other enquiries/expressions of interest to Mahasraddha: mahasraddha@abhayaratnatrust.org.
International Convention - let’s get a few more there!
Good news! We have raised £6,700 for our appeal to enable 150 Indian Order members to attend the International Order Convention in Bodhgaya, India in January 2025. Thank you if you have given to this appeal. Even though this convention is in their home country, and the cost is low, being part of this gathering is beyond the financial reach of many Indian Order members.
What we have raised so far will pay for 135 Order members to attend the convention, so we are almost there. Please donate today here or, if you bank outside the UK, AUD here, USD here and Euros here to help us reach the target of £7,500. Thank you.
Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org - for your questions, ideas and feedback.