Sangharakshita & his Teachers: Influences & Inspirations

Starts 15 Feb 2027

I came to look up not only to the Buddha and to his Dharma and his Enlightened disciples, but also to those religious geniuses who in India, China, and Tibet had helped to bring out the significance of certain aspects of his teaching. Nearer home, I looked up to and still look up to my personal teachers, honouring and respecting them as best I can in my own life and teaching. I look up to Jagdish Kashyap, who taught me Pāli and Abhidharma. I look up to Chattrul Sangye Dorje, who gave me the Green Tārā initiation. I look up to Kachu Rimpoche, who gave me the Padmasambhava sādhana. I look up to Jamyang Khyentse Rimpoche, who initiated me into the sādhanas of Mañjughoṣa, Avalokiteśvara, Vajrapāṇi, and Green Tārā. I look up to Dudjom Rimpoche, who initiated me into the Vajrasattva sādhana. I look up to Dhardo Rimpoche, who initiated me into the White Tārā sādhana and gave me the bodhisattva precepts. I look up to Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche, who introduced me to Jambhala, to the Amitābha phowa, and to Kurukullā. I look up to Yogi Chen, who shared with me the treasures of Vajrayāna and Chan. I look up to all these compassionate teachers, whose influence has entered into my life and has through me entered into the life of the Triratna Buddhist Order. To them do I look up with devotion and endless gratitude.

from Some Reflections on the Garava Sutta, Sangharakshita

This year our New Zealand Order Retreat follows the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Bhante’s consecration of the Sudarshanaloka stupa with the interment of the relics of his teacher and friend Dhardo Rimpoche. On the retreat, through a series of talks, we’ll be reflecting on how Dhardo's influence and the influence of Bhante’s other principle teachers has entered into Bhante's life and, through him, into the life of the Triratna Buddhist Order.

We’ll be delving into some of the particular qualities, perspectives and practices of his teachers and the way in which, through Bhante, they have helped to shape and animate the particular approach to the Dharma that we share in our Order.

To open ourselves to these influences at an imaginative level, each day we’ll be performing the Kalyana Mitra Yoga and the Sevenfold Puja.

This retreat will be a precious opportunity to meet with our brothers and sisters in the Order on the basis of what is most essential. All in the beauty of the bush and within the compassionate gaze of Dhardo Rimpoche’s stupa.

Order Retreat