our Tradition
We're part of the Triratna Buddhist Community. Founded in 1967 by Urgyen Sangharakshita, Triratna’s unique approach has enabled a living Buddhism to flourish in diverse cultures across the globe. Explore the vision that drives our community, the Order at its heart and the history of our founder.
Triratna's Vision
Our founder, Urgyen Sangharakshita, envisaged a community that revived the Buddha’s teachings for the contemporary world by offering four gifts of human flourishing. Our vision at the North London Buddhist Centre is to continue to offer, explore and embody these four gifts:
A Vision of Human Existence
Buddhism begins with an honest look at the human condition. While acknowledging life’s difficulties, the Buddhist vision affirms that suffering can be transcended and that everyone possesses the potential for a truly meaningful life.
A Method of Personal Development
We need a step-by-step guide for transformation - from how we work and meditate to how we communicate and think - to intentionally cultivate awareness, emotional positivity and wisdom.
A Nucleus of a New Society
By committing to Buddhist principles, we create a spiritual community (Sangha) of mutual encouragement - a "new society" rooted in kindness, generosity, and respect.
A Blueprint for a New World
As we transform ourselves, our collective influence extends outward. This becomes a blueprint for a world rooted in wisdom and compassion rather than greed and hatred.
The Triratna Buddhist Order
At the heart of our community is the Triratna Buddhist Order. Transcending the traditional divide between monastic and lay followers, Order members place Buddhist practice at the centre of their lives - weaving their commitment into the fabric of their diverse professional and personal circumstances.
Training for ordination is a process which takes many years. During the ordination ceremony, a practitioner commits to the attainment of enlightenment, acting for the benefit of all beings, adhering to ten Buddhist ethical precepts, and living in harmony with other order members. Upon joining the Order, they receive a new Buddhist name to signify their commitment, a specific sadhana (meditation practice) and a symbolic white kesa - an abbreviated robe worn around the neck, embroidered with the Three Jewels.
Our Founder
Urgyen Sangharakshita (1925–2018)
Born in South London, Sangharakshita discovered he was a Buddhist at sixteen. After being conscripted to India during WWII, he stayed to be ordained as a monk and studied under teachers from across major Buddhist traditions. He became a prolific writer and teacher, notably supporting the revival of Buddhism in India alongside followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
In 1967 he established what is now the Triratna Buddhist Community. He emphasized the decisive power of spiritual commitment, the transformative value of friendship, the link between religion and the arts, and the need for a "new society" supportive of Buddhist practice. His legacy is also marked by complexity. The experimentation involved in creating a radical new Buddhist tradition included aspects that were later abandoned. Specifically, his sexual relationships with male disciples remain a subject of discussion and controversy - leading to a thorough investigation in 2018.
Today, Sangharakshita’s vision has blossomed into a truly global Sangha, active in over 30 countries. With more than 100 centres and groups worldwide Triratna has become a diverse movement that continues to offer the Buddha’s teachings with life-changing consequences for thousands of people across the globe.
Many people refer to him as ‘Bhante’ - an affectionate term for one’s teacher.