bigmind - meditation and buddhism in Scotland at latitude 57 N

About the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order

Home
Newsletter Dec 07
Introductory courses
Ongoing weekly sessions and full moon pujas
Calendar
About the FWBO
TBMSG
Other FWBO groups

 Distinctive Emphases of the FWBO                                                                                                               
                    
               
 

 
1) It is ecumenical - it does not identify exclusively with any one Eastern buddhist tradition. This means there are a range of practices in the movement, including the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana from the Theravadin tradition and visualisation practices from Mahayana buddhism.
 
2) Commitment to the Buddha, Dharma (the Buddha's teaching) and the Sangha (the community of practitioners) is seen as primary. 
This commitment (in traditional terms known as Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels) can be followed through in a variety of lifestyles, so ordination into the Western Buddhist Order does not mean becoming a monk or a nun.
 
3) The Western Buddhist Order is open on equal terms to men and women.
 
4) In the FWBO there are team based right livelihood businesses. These are businesses run on ethical lines which, as well as supporting the people who work in them ,provide a framework for spiritual practice, and make money to support non-profit making activities.
 
5)The spiritual value of the arts are recognised, and the value of exploring the immense heritage of western art.
 
6) The recognition of the importance of friendship, the bedrock of the sangha.                                    
  
 
                                                            

iobhante08-07.jpg
after giving a talk at the Birmingham Buddhist centre, April '07

Sangharakshita, founder of the FWBO