The Triratna Buddhist Community

The new name of the ‘Friends of the Western Buddhist Order’

Since its inception in 1974 the Brighton Buddhist Centre has been part of a wider Buddhist movement called the ‘Friends of the Western Buddhist Order’. It has recently been agreed to change the name of this movement to the Triratna Buddhist Community. The Western Buddhist Order itself is renamed as the Triratna Buddhist Order.

This change was instigated by a request from Order Members in India who are known there as the “Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha Sahayaka Gana” or “TBMSG”. (It always would have been a little odd having a “Western” Buddhist Order in the East!). As the movement in India, expands it has become apparent that even that name is no longer suitable because of difficulties created by the variety of languages spoken by all its members throughout India. (The variety of dialects spoken across India is a much greater range than most people realise). The opportunity has therefore been taken to come up with a new name that can be applied to all our communities world-wide. This includes places like China, Russia, etc. that could also not, in fairness, be described as “Western”.

The term “Triratna” is Sanskrit for “Three Jewels”. The Three Jewels are the three most precious things that Buddhists base their lives upon. Firstly, a yellow jewel symbolizing the Buddha who shows us the spiritual path to the Truth and understanding, and represents our own highest potential. Secondly, a blue jewel symbolizing the Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings, or more universally, `the Truth of the way things are’. Thirdly, the red jewel symbolizing the Sangha, the company of all those, past and present, who follow the Buddha’s teaching.

The Three Jewels is a central symbol for our movement. It is also a symbol that is recognisable throughout the Buddhist world.

As a part of this change of name the registered charity that runs the Brighton Buddhist Centre will also change its name and become ‘The Triratna Buddhist Community (Brighton)’. The Registered Charity Number will remain the same.

The name “Brighton Buddhist Centre” will not change; this is simply a change to the registered name of the Charity.

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