Sangha Sunday: Dhamma Revolution Festival
Celebrating the inspirational figure Dr Ambedkar
On 14th October 1956, in Nagpur, Dr B R Ambedkar went for Refuge to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, and hundreds of thousands of people went for Refuge with him. Born into a community the caste system called untouchable, he had spent his life fighting for dignity and justice. In the Dhamma he found a path to freedom that could transform both individual and society. His followers remember it as the Dhamma Revolution.
Ambedkar died just weeks later. Bhante Sangharakshita, who had met him, arrived in Nagpur in the days that followed and spoke to vast gatherings of grieving new Buddhists. That meeting of worlds became one of the great threads of Bhante’s life, and of our Order’s. Today many thousands practise the Dhamma in India within the Triratna community.
• More about Dr Ambedkar – a visual exhibition
Just before the anniversary, we celebrate the Dhamma Revolution with what lies at its heart: Going for Refuge. We’ll also be celebrating two new Order Members. In the morning is a panel discussion in the Lotus Hall with a special guest, Dr Jesús F Cháirez-Garza, who has written widely on Dr Ambedkar. Viryananda from Sheffield and our very own Alicia, Triratna’s racial diversity co-ordinator, will bring the spiritual dimension: what Ambedkar’s Dhamma Revolution means for practice, and for us, today.
In the afternoon focus shifts slightly to our own teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita. Aparajita will introduce the theme – Dhamma Revolution and Ordination – and lead a puja highlighting the work of Bhante in India. There will be readings, mantras, and the Refuges and Precepts, and we’ll garland our new Order Members as well as hear a bit about their ordinations. We will close together with the Dhammapalam Gatha.
Welcome back Sanghavāsinī and Buddhasamīpa!
Two dear friends are back from their long retreats where they were ordained in the Triratna Buddhist Order. Helen has become Sanghavasini (long third ‘a’, long second ‘I’), a Sanskrit name meaning she who abides in the spiritual community, and Di is now Buddhasamīpa (long ‘i’) – he who is in the presence of the Buddha. With their family and friends, we’ll rejoice in them and give them a resounding welcome back. Do bring cards! (And cake if you can!)
This part of the day will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel from 2 pm.
Programme
• 11 am: Panel discussion in the Lotus Hall (not Hinterland as previously advertised), with tea break and Q & A
• 12:30: Shared lunch: Please bring vegan food to share for lunch if you can. It doesn't need to be elaborate - you could pick something up on your way in from one of the nearby shops and takeaways. Sharron, Phil and friends will be providing about thirty baked potatoes too, so vegan / vegetarian fillings would be great. Fruit, cakes, biscuits too!
• 2 pm: Puja and Ordination welcome-back
• 4 pm: End / Cake and a warm cup of chai!
More Information
• Everyone is welcome, no need to book, just turn up. It's always safest to check the website before setting off in case the details have changed
• Arrive from 10.30 to meet, relax, settle in with a drink, then it’s a prompt 11 am start
• More about Buddhist festivals and ritual
• If Buddhist ritual is unfamiliar to you, it's fine to just watch.
• The Lotus Hall and library are available as quiet spaces during breaks, if you want a bit of time and space to absorb and relax away from lots of people
Regular Celebration and Community
Sangha Sunday is a gathering for our community on the second Sunday of every month. It’s a chance to come together in larger numbers to meditate as a Sangha, take part in ritual and spend time connecting with one another. When a festival day falls in a month, it’s celebrated as part of Sangha Sunday.