March News 2023
Supporting a case of dementia
The Abhayaratna Trust recently responded to an Order member in India living with dementia (not pictured). The local sangha have been kindly supporting the person in the last couple of years but as other medical problems connected to the dementia emerged professional care is now needed. The Abhayaratna Trust made a grant for this purpose and the local sangha is now able to continue to offer the Order member companionship support.
Click here to see our series of interviews with Order members living with neurological degenerative diseases.
Mahasraddha talks to Deal sangha about developing a Local Care Network
Mahasraddha (pictured) writes: In response to the Order’s ageing demographic, in particular the anticipated rise in care needs, the Abhayaratna Trust set up its Local Care Network (LCN) project three years ago, with the aim of assisting local sanghas to implement more organised frameworks of care.
We have learned a great deal from piloting the LCN concept in some UK Centres and improved on the original idea, with a clearer sense of what works well, and not so well.
We are visiting some Centres in the UK in 2023 to speak about LCNs and their ethos, to share our experience so far, and encourage or assist local sanghas to set up their own LCN.
The first such Centre visit was to the Deal sangha in an online event which included meditation, a talk based on Bhante’s lecture ‘A Case of Dysentery’ and a discussion of issues about looking after each other - including how an LCN could be set up to address these. Talking about looking after each other reaches into important aspects of dharma life, including facing the Four Sights and our practice of metta in concrete terms off the cushion.
If you are interested in someone from the Abhayaratna Trust leading an evening similar to the Deal one on Local Care Networks, please contact Mahasraddha (mahasraddha@abhayaratnatrust.org).
Padmajata on becoming a trustee
Padmajata writes: I recently became a trustee for the Abhayaratna Trust. I have been involved in Triratna since 1984 and ordained since 1998. I had wondered for quite a while about whether I could put myself forward to become a trustee for the Abhayaratna Trust as I was very interested in their work, really love the Order and want to promote its well-being.
However it was only recently when new trustees were needed, and this coinciding with my retiring from work, I felt I could apply. (I don’t want people to be put off ever becoming a trustee if they are in full or part time work, this was just how it worked for me.) I have worked a lot of my life as a social worker, especially in mental health, and I feel very committed to the way that the Abhayaratna Trust deeply considers the needs of individual Order members, be they physical, mental or emotional, and then the financial impact of those needs.
I have been very moved already by the applications to the Trust that I have been asked to consider, and I find it wonderful that there is a reaching out to Order members worldwide. I hadn’t realised how much the Trust has grown since its birth many years ago, and I feel honoured to be part of the team dedicated to developing the Abhayaratna Trust even further into different parts of the Triratna world, and different ways of helping – it truly feels like enacting more arms and hands of Avalokitesvara.
Free travel to Taraloka this summer?
Do you know somebody who might like to go to the Taraloka Area Order Weekend this June (8th-11th) but probably can’t afford to travel there?
The Abhayaratna Trust has a special fund to enable Order members around the UK and Ireland to attend Order gatherings in the region, paying for travel and accommodation. Just contact Taradakini on +44 7857 351818 or taradakini@abhayaratnatrust.org.
You can also donate to this Women’s Order Gatherings fund online HERE.
Did you know that Order members can apply to the Abhayaratna Trust for help with paying household bills? For example the cost of gas and electricity is a real concern for people across Europe, including many in our Order. Triratna Order members can request up to £1500 / €1700 support with their personal fuel costs; Email taradakini@abhayaratnatrust.org or text her on +44 7857 351818 if you need financial assistance.
Only if you bank outside the UK donate via PayPal (below), or email jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org for other ways to give.
Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org - Send your ideas, reflections and feedback - we love to hear from you.