February 2026 News
Our new director - an introduction
Ghosaka
We are pleased to welcome Ghosaka, (pictured), as the new Director of the Abhayaratna Trust. He brings a great deal of experience of working in teams and right livelihood situations during his twenty five years as an Order member.
Ghosaka writes: ‘I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to become a part of the team at the Abhayaratna Trust and to contribute to the excellent work that the Trustees and the team have been doing for many years. I have been a follower and supporter of the Trust for some time and I have been impressed, moved and inspired by the work of the Trust. The motto Metta in Action seems very apposite to me and it is inspiring to see the kindness, care and friendship that is evident in the way the Order and movement respond to requests for help and assistance for those in need. I feel excited, and indeed fortunate, to play a part in continuing and developing the work that the Abhayaratna Trust does.
I am based in Cambridge in the UK. I first came into contact with Triratna in 1994 at the London Buddhist Centre and I was ordained in 1999. During my life in the Order I have spent a lot of time involved in a wide range of right livelihood enterprises. These have included working in Friends Foods and the Gallery café at the London Buddhist Centre; being part of the team and community at Padmaloka Retreat Centre; working at Windhorse Trading and New View Residential and until recently part of the Centre team at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre. In amongst this I have also worked in a number of jobs outside of the movement including working in Human Resources at Cambridge University Press. As Director of the Trust I want to put to good use the skills and experience that I have gained in these roles over the past 25 years to the activities of the Abhayaratna Trust.’
Rejoicing in Mahasraddha
Some of you will have seen that Mahasraddha has recently been appointed as Ethics Advisor to the Order and Preceptors’ College. This means that he’ll be leaving the Abhayaratna Trust after nearly eight years as our Director. In fact his successor is already in post, but Mahasraddha has generously offered to continue to be available for a while to ensure an effective handover.
The Trust has a lot to thank Mahasraddha for. Three things spring immediately to mind:
1. The Abhayaratna Trust is more widely known these days and our role much better understood, thanks to the efforts Mahasraddha has made to develop our connections with the wider Triratna Community through, for example, Order Convenors, Buddhist Centre Chairs, Mitra Convenors, Future Dharma Fund and the Karuna Trust.
2. A substantial part of our Order is in India, where we have delegated most grant-making decisions to a team led by the local Order Office. Mahasraddha has worked very hard to develop our working relationship with our friends in India, and in particular to create and launch a major programme to support Order members in building a new livelihood following the Covid Pandemic.
3. Some time ago Mahasraddha came up with the vision to help local Triratna communities to coordinate available time, energy, experience, knowledge and skills in support of individual sangha members in need of help. This has led to a programme, led by Mahasraddha, to promote the formation of Sangha Support Networks, in which some of you may already be involved.
On a more personal note, I’m very grateful to Mahasraddha for his friendship and support over the years, and wish him well with his new responsibilities.
Dharmashura, Chair of the Abhayaratna Trust
From the Abhayaratna Trust team
‘Mahasraddha has been Director throughout my time working for the Abhayaratna Trust. He's a man who leads a team by supporting the people in it. He's warm and unflappable, and has faced challenges in the work of the Trust and outside it with the courage you'd expect from his name. The Trust exists to help the flow of generosity and kindness within the Order, and Mahasraddha has kept that vision front and centre in his leadership.’ Visarada
‘In the short time I’ve been working with the Abhayaratna Trust, Mahashraddha has been such a kind, steady and patient support for me. I will miss the warmth, depth and lightness he brings into our team. I rejoice in the care he has for the Order, and in the way he expresses that care—not just as an aspiration, but through the very real, practical, generous ways he chooses to serve.’ Kshantika
‘I remember when Mahasraddha became Director, joining a team that consisted of Taradakini and myself. Apart from the ways he has benefitted the Trust, what comes to mind is how those early meetings were conducted with humour and warmth between us. I also particularly remember the occaisions when Mahasraddha travelled to Glasgow and we would discuss our work and plans for the future of the Trust. In the evening we would have something of a soiree, each taking a turn to sing or play an instrument. I seem to remember Mahasraddha doing a rendition of David Bowie’s The Jean Genie. Unfortunately I think I have deleted the video of that occaision. Jinavamsa
On being a trustee - Dayasara
Dayasara
I have been a trustee of the Abhayaratna Trust for more than 5 years, and three aspects come to mind which I particularly appreciate. Firstly it gives opportunities to assist Order Members who are in need, be this health-related, financial hardship or with other difficulties.
Secondly it involves working with Order Members who are either employed by the Trust or who are trustees. It is very good to get to know them better, to have us sharing skills and bringing different perspectives to the grants and appeals we can offer. And thirdly, as the Trust broadens its remit there is plenty to learn about the worldwide Order, and to get a sense of how people practise the Dharma within their greatly varied cultures and conditions. In summary, I enjoy being a trustee, and would always recommend it to others.
Love Dayasara
Contact Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org with any questions or feedback.