Tag: Sangharakshita

Poem

Knowing that I’d be at Adhisthana this month, I was hoping to meet Bhante. I haven’t been with him one to one since I used to read to him in his warm annexe at Madhyamaloka over fifteen years ago; those readings being one of the great pleasures and privileges of my life back then.

I wrote to him early last year to reconnect after a period of struggle in my life during which I tasted many sour fruits, the most plump among them being pride. Having tasted it, and its core of fear and...

Questions arising following your passing

Should I mourn your absence?
What form could contain
that unrivalled presence?

Should I weep for you?
What tears offer release
to one already freed?

Should I run to your side?
What frantic display
reveres your stillness?

Should I recall you?
What image gives shape
to your shabby elegance?

Should I speak of you?
What eulogy does justice
to your eloquence?

Should I bequeath garlands?
What wilted flowers
could embody such wisdom?

Should I hold to your words?
Why...

Carrying the Flame

Like so many friends today, I am absorbing and reflecting on the passing of my teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita (Bhante). Only a week ago I was at Adhisthana, Bhante’s home, working with the amazing people from Friends of the Sangharakshita Library. Having Danasamudra passing on Bhante’s heartfelt appreciation for the work that we were doing in his memorial library, was so touching as was his emphasis on her passing this appreciation to us. He stressed the importance of this library and his legacy...