Bringing us together

Welcome to this month’s newsletter. We want to let you know that we’ve launched an appeal to raise £7,700 to support around 30 Order members to attend the UK & Ireland Convention at Wymondham College in Norfolk this August. 

Any help you can give us will be very appreciated. A donation of £60 will give a financially constrained Order member an overnight stay at the Convention. Getting there is a big deal if you are on a restricted income. The accommodation costs £300 on average for 5 nights, and there is travel on top of that.

We have already begun giving Convention grants, including to new Order members who don't have the savings or sufficient income to pay for themselves and would love that first time experience of being with the Order in large numbers. 

Please donate securely here - any amount will be welcome. To donate by bank transfer or cheque, email jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org 

And if you are reading this and you are one of those who simply can't afford to go to the Convention, then click here to request a bursary via an online form, or get in touch with taradakini@abhayaratnatrust.org, 07857 351818. 

Thank you.

Maitrinanda finds a home - and expresses his gratitude

‘I want to thank the Abhayaratna Trust, all the donors, and the entire Triratna Buddhist Community for their great commitment to solving my problem.

Thanks to all of you, I now have a safe life and a peaceful practice that was not possible in my previous situation.

Despite the current bad situation on the rental market, I managed to rent a small but comfortable apartment at a relatively low price in Nowa Huta, a working-class district of Krakow.

It is the place of my childhood and I feel great here. Currently, it is a quiet and safe place, inhabited mainly by elderly people. It is perfectly connected to Sanghaloka, our Buddhist centre in Krakow… which is very important to me. I feel calm, safe and happy here. It is possible thanks to you. Thank you once again and I am sending a lot of metta.’ 

Dh Maitrinanda

The appeal in March for Maitrinanda, along with a grant from the Abhayaratna Trust, raised £9,369, which enabled him to move to a safe home environment. Thank you for your swift response to an Order member in need.

A fascinating interview with Vilasini

This is the first in a series of AbhayaratnaTrust video interviews, in which Order members with a specific neurological degenerative disease speak about the challenges they face, and how they practice the Dharma in the context of their condition – and, crucially, the support they find helpful.

Our first conversation is with Vilasini, who has dementia but who nevertheless is an inspirational force of nature! 

Vilasini talks to Mahasraddha about how dementia has impacted her life and practice of the Dharma. She explains how she is not only living with dementia but how she has managed to reverse some of the symptoms through her practice, and stresses the importance of patience.

As our Order and Triratna community ages, neurodegenerative diseases including dementia will impact daily life and practice for an increasing number of us - whether we develop such a disease or care for those affected.

Watch the interview here

Ashvajit is back in the UK

Ashvajit arrived back safely at Heathrow accompanied by Sanghajit on Thursday 28 April. After a couple of nights at Adhisthana he was admitted to Hereford hospital for medical assessment and nursing care. As a result of the assessment, the plan is that Ashvajit returns to his home in Wales next week, with care support. And he is very happy about that.

He is aware of the tremendous support provided by donors to the Abhayaratna Trust and is extremely grateful. He is feeling a great deal better both mentally and physically and overall has made very good progress in his gradual recovery.

Taking care of yourself  

Did you know that you can apply to The Abhayaratna Trust for help with paying household bills? With living costs spiraling in many parts of the world – then email taradakini@abhayaratnatrust.org or text her on +44 0 7857 351818 if you need financial assistance.

Only if you bank outside the UK chose option 3 direct PayPal, 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.

www.abhayaratnatrust.org