about us
Welcome
Stow Sangha aims to offer relaxed and friendly events, activities and meet ups for people who want to explore and participate in a Buddhist community [known as Sangha] .
We are inspired by the Buddha's example to follow a path of meditation, ethics and wisdom and part of the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly called "Friends of the Western Buddhist Order"). This movement was founded in the West in the late 60s by Sangharakshita. All our courses are led and supported by people who are practicing Buddhists. All have many years of experience of a meditation and mindfullness practice within the triratna context. Some are Ordained, others are mitra's or friends.
At the heart of the Triratna Buddhist Community are people from diverse backgrounds who are ordained and have dedicated their lives to the practice of Buddhism. We are dedicated to supporting and encouraging the development of spiritual friendship among those who wish to explore and experience the benefits of Buddhist practice and believe that it can make a constructive contribution to the modern world.
We run on a not-for-profit basis and whenever we can offer events on a dana/donation basis; encouraging people to take what they need to support their buddhist practice and to give what they can. Dana is a sanskrit word meaning generosity. Nobody is paid a salary and all money donated to us or from courses pays for venue hire, providing affordable events, occasional team training/retreats and other running costs.
Stow Sangha aims to offer relaxed and friendly events, activities and meet ups for people who want to explore and participate in a Buddhist community [known as Sangha] .
We are inspired by the Buddha's example to follow a path of meditation, ethics and wisdom and part of the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly called "Friends of the Western Buddhist Order"). This movement was founded in the West in the late 60s by Sangharakshita. All our courses are led and supported by people who are practicing Buddhists. All have many years of experience of a meditation and mindfullness practice within the triratna context. Some are Ordained, others are mitra's or friends.
At the heart of the Triratna Buddhist Community are people from diverse backgrounds who are ordained and have dedicated their lives to the practice of Buddhism. We are dedicated to supporting and encouraging the development of spiritual friendship among those who wish to explore and experience the benefits of Buddhist practice and believe that it can make a constructive contribution to the modern world.
We run on a not-for-profit basis and whenever we can offer events on a dana/donation basis; encouraging people to take what they need to support their buddhist practice and to give what they can. Dana is a sanskrit word meaning generosity. Nobody is paid a salary and all money donated to us or from courses pays for venue hire, providing affordable events, occasional team training/retreats and other running costs.
Our intention is to create open, transparent and accountable conditions that support positive dharma practice as individuals with shared values. There are opportunities to support activities through being on the team and where appropriate to lead meditation classes. We want to support joint endevour and a sangha that is diverse.
History and Controversy in Triratna
Our history is sadly not without controversy, nor is our founder Sangharakshita. You can find out more about controversies surrounding Triratna or, as it was formerly known, the FWBO, by visiting the Buddhist Centre Online here
You can read our ethical guidelines here
You can read a statement from Sangharakshita here
You can read our ethical guidelines here
You can read a statement from Sangharakshita here