Buddhism for Today

The forms in which Buddhist truths are expressed always adapt according to circumstances, but the essence of Buddhism transcends culture and conditions. In the West today we are heirs to the whole of the Buddhist tradition. We need not be restricted to Theravada Buddhism, to Zen, or Tibetan Buddhism, but can draw from them all. The Triratna Buddhist Community’s attitude is not one of eclecticism, however. We take what is useful according to our actual spiritual needs. We take whatever will help us to grow under the conditions of modem Western life.

Meditation
Of all the means of personal development employed within Triratna, meditation is the most highly valued. It is the direct method of working on the mind in order to transform it.

Dharma Study
Through study we come to understand the Buddhist tradition more deeply and we learn to apply it in ways which are useful and relevant today.

Developing Friendships
In conversation with Ananda, his attendant and companion, the Buddha stated that “Friendship is the whole of the spiritual life.” Friendship is a human necessity. In the Triratna Buddhist Community, friendship is considered to be a spiritual practice. If the friendship is with someone more aware and emotionally positive than ourselves, we can gain tremendously from the experience.

The Triratna in New York City holds regular introductory meetings as well as a weekly group that meditate and study together.

www.freebuddhistaudio.com
Dharmachakra Archive is the sound and text archive of the Triratna Buddhist Community.
*Free Buddhist Audio from the Dharmachakra Archive
*Over 500 audio talks on Buddhism and meditation
*Hundreds of seminar and lecture transcripts
*Free downloads, or listen and read online

Images of Buddhas & Bodhisattvas
Print or download from www.clear-vision.org

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