commit

We offer a four-year programme of study which covers the key aspects of the Buddha’s teaching and Triratna’s approach to it. These study groups are mainly for Mitras to help them deepen their commitment to the Buddhist path but we usually make the first year available for people who would like to deepen their understanding of Buddhism and Buddhist practice.

Before that, we offer short (usually 3 or 4 weeks long) invite-only, single-sex study groups to give a taste of intensive Dharma study. If you are interested in being invited to a future short study group, please get in touch with our Mitra Convenors:

In our community, marking your commitment to the Buddhist path is known as becoming a Mitra (the Sanskrit word for "friend"). A Mitra is someone who has been practicing with us for a while and has decided to make a personal commitment through three declarations:

1. I think of myself as a Buddhist.
2. I am trying to practice the Five Precepts that the Buddha gave for all his followers - a commitment to kindness, generosity, contentment, truthfulness and awareness.
3. I feel that the Triratna Buddhist Community is the main context in which I want to deepen my practice of the Precepts and of meditation.

The commitment is then made in a ritual way during a simple but heartfelt ceremony, witnessed by other Mitras, friends and Order Members.

Reach out to our Mitra Convenors to find out more:

Asking for ordination is a significant step. When you ask for Ordination, you are declaring a desire to make a definite and life-changing commitment to the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) within the context of the Triratna Buddhist Order.

The path to ordination is a "training in confidence" that unfolds over a number of years. This training - taking place both in North London and at our dedicated training centers, Padmaloka and Tiratanaloka - has two main aspects:

1. Getting to know and understand the vision of the Order.
2. Deepening one’s practice to the point at which it becomes effective.

Speak to any Order member if you want to find out more.

In our tradition we value single-sex activities as a support for deepening spiritual practice. We have a men’s and a women’s mitra convenor whose role it is to help people commit to the Buddhist path.

If you are trans or identify as non-binary, you are very welcome here. You can reach out to either of our Mitra Convenors, so we can discuss the best way for you to participate in the life of the Centre in a way that feels supportive and true to your practice.