Triratna Audio Library

Dharma Training Course Year Two

The Triratna Dharma Training Course for Mitras offers a comprehensive four-year course in Buddhism and meditation.
By Triratna Buddhist Community
ISBN 9781326876562
Read by Subhadra

The text of this Course is available at https://thebuddhistcentre.com/mitra/ and in book form from http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thebuddhistcentre

What is a Mitra?

The Sanskrit word ‘Mitra’ simply means ‘friend’. Becoming a Mitra is a deepening of your friendship with the Triratna Buddhist Order, which can occur when your commitment to its ideals, values and practices has reached a certain level. Mitras are people who have made what we call a ‘provisional’ commitment to practising the Dharma within our spiritual community. This involves a commitment to Buddhism, to practising the Buddhist path as taught within our tradition, and to the Triratna Buddhist Community as the main context for your practice. We call this level of commitment ‘provisional’ because it is ‘for the foreseeable future’, rather than the more once-and-for-all dedication of an Order Member. You are ready to become a Mitra when you decide that, as far as you can see at the moment, you want to practise this path, with this spiritual community. You are saying that from where you are now this looks like the path for you, and you are willing to give it a good wholehearted trial.

Becoming a Mitra is a significant event in our spiritual lives, so it is marked by a significant public ceremony, which is a special event at the Buddhist centre, and to which many people invite their friends and family.

Please note, this Course contains extracts from 2 books, both published by Windhorse Publications. They are Maitrayabandhu: ‘The Journey and the Guide’, and ‘What is the Sangha’, by Sangharakshita. These books are copywrite.

An extract from Dharma Training Course Year Two

From Year Two, Part Four

This module looks at the central teaching and practice of Buddhism – that of Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels. It starts with an exploration of what are variously called the four reminders, the four mind-turning thoughts or the four ordinary preliminary practices (as against the four extraordinary preliminary practices or mūla yogas of Tibetan tradition). These are meant to focus our minds on the opportunities we have for spiritual practice as well as leading us to investigate the nature of what are called the false refuges. In coming to terms with impermanence more deeply, in acknowledging the inevitable effects of karma and by seeing through the dangers of saṁsāra, we can free ourselves more fully to turn towards the True Refuges, i.e. the Three Jewels.

The Four Mind-Turning Reflections are practised throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world but essentially comprise teachings that make up what Sangharakshita has called Basic Buddhism. Going for Refuge itself goes back to the very earliest days of Buddhism and is a practice acknowledged by all schools of Buddhism even if its true significance is not always appreciated.

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