So what does this pilgrimage look like?

It has 3 levels.

Street  – connecting with other sentient beings currently unknown to me.

Local Triratna centre – offering my support through friendship and Dharma teaching at any of the 8 Buddhist centres I visit

Indra’s net – connecting with the worldwide Triratna movement handing out buddhas donated from all around the world.

Where will I go?

Over 14 months I will visit 8 Triratna Centres/groups along the east coast of Australia and offer to help in whatever ways are needed.

What am I wearing?

I am commiting to wearing my kesa (white ritual garment worn like a scarf which has the symbol of our Order on it) every day, putting buddhas in my pocket and wandering about meeting and talking to people  when the opportunity arises.

Perhaps they will be interested in what the 3 jewels on my kesa represent, maybe they will ask about where to learn to meditate, maybe it will feel appropriate to give them a buddha from my pocket or perhaps we will just sit together silently with an openness of heart/mind.

I already have a sense these encounters will enrich my life and spiritual practice in many ways and hopefully I can offer something to those I meet as well.IMG_5759

Why will I have Buddhas in my pocket?

There is a lovely image from the Buddhist teachings describing Indra’s Net.

Having the time to connect and fully be with people, even perfect strangers, is a rich way to spend my time. Perhaps handing on one of the small Buddhas that will be in my pocket can be a reminder to the recipient of all beings’ vast potential.

The Buddha is a perfect example of how our infinite potential, of course, can culminate in full awakening or Enlightenment.

The Buddhas in my pocket are being donated by various members of the Buddhist Community that I belong to and am Ordained within – the Triratna Buddhist Community.

This simple dance of giving and receiving brings into focus a vibrant and alive Indra’s Net.

  • at each juncture there lies a jewel;
  • each jewel reflects all the other jewels in this cosmic matrix.
  • Every jewel represents an individual life form, atom, cell or unit of consciousness.
  • Each jewel, in turn, is intrinsically and intimately connected to all the others;
  • thus, a change in one gem is reflected in all the others.