Triratna Earth Sangha - How to be a Buddhist activist

A weekend of talks, panel discussions, breakout rooms and reflective practice. How can Buddhists respond with integrity to the great social and environmental challenges of our time – both directly and indirectly – rooted firmly in non-violent Dharma practice and perspectives? What can we learn from Dr. Ambedkar’s bases for social justice – liberty, equality and “fraternity” (fundamentally, loving kindness itself)? We'll hear from fifteen Triratna Order Members talking about their Buddhist activism, framed by the recently released Triratna International Council Guidelines for social action.

This event will be translated into German and Spanish.

Who are we?

A group of Triratna Order members, Mitras and Friends worldwide who are deeply concerned about the climate and ecological crises we face and see it as part of their practice to do something about them. We are all too painfully aware of the Buddha’s core teaching that actions have consequences. The accelerating destruction of ecosystems in the natural world caused by greed, hatred and ignorance is causing untold suffering to beings of many kinds, and we feel that it is our duty as Buddhists to do what we can to raise awareness of the plight of the planet, demonstrate an alternative way of life based on stillness, simplicity and contentment and act to relieve suffering where we can. Facebook group.

Book your place here

Programme coming soon

(for speaker bios see below)

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The speakers

Vimalasara, B.C. Canada

Vimalasara is a Buddhist teacher, author, and facilitator known for their work at the intersection of mindfulness, addiction recovery, and social change. Ordained in the Triratna Buddhist Order, they bring a trauma-informed and compassion-centred approach to healing, particularly through the lens of “radical Dharma.” Their teaching style blends insight practice with lived experience, offering accessible tools for transformation and emotional freedom.

Lokabandhu, Glastonbury, UK

Ordained in 1990, Lokabandhu was a founder member of Buddhafield. He is a Green Town Councillor and former Mayor in Glastonbury, Somerset.

Jnanadhara, Dublin, Ireland

Originally from New Zealand, Jnanadhara met Triratna while studying music. After a time working with windhorse:evolution in the U.K. he relocated to Ireland where for 12 years he was Chair of the Dublin Buddhist Centre. At present he works as International Movement Coordinator joining up different parts of the Triratna movement worldwide.

Vishvapani, Cardiff, Wales

Vishvapani is a writer, broadcaster and Buddhist teacher based in Cardiff, Wales. He has worked with policymakers through The Mindfulness Initiative and Mindfulness Wales, and been engaged with Triratna’s communications over many years. He is the author of Gautama Buddha and Reimagining Buddhism and is currently writing a book on Buddhism and Myth.

Nandaraja, London, UK

Nandaraja is known for his grounded, thoughtful approach to practice and community life. He has been actively involved in supporting sangha activities in the city, helping create spaces for meditation, friendship, and ethical living. His teaching reflects a steady commitment to integrating the Dharma into everyday urban life.

Guhyasakhi, London, UK

Guhyasakhi is a retired Senior Educational Psychologist now focusing on growing food organically and living more sustainably. Ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2021, she brings a lifelong interest in holistic healing, ecology and contemplative practice.

Drawing on her background in mindfulness, bodywork and trauma-informed therapy, she integrates inner and outer transformation—supporting wellbeing through connection with nature, community and the living world.

Kulamitra, Bristol, UK

He writes: "I got involved with the Green Party to act against climate change. I did a lot of canvassing to successfully get a Green MP elected in Bristol. Since then I have become the Co-Wellbeing Officer of the Bristol Green Party. After several years, what are my conclusions about Buddhists getting involved with the Green Party?"

Guhayapati, Spain

Guhyapati has been working at the intersection of Buddhism and activism for decades. This led him to set up the Ecodharma Centre in 2007. Out of that experience he established the Ulex Project, which is a global leader in activist education and social movement capacity building.

Padmadhara, London, UK

Padmadhara is an award-winning writer and documentary filmmaker and academic. Many of his films conceive documentary as a crucible in which people of radically different perspectives, cultures and politics come into relation. He is increasingly focused on configuring filming and viewing to enable deeper listening and dialogue. This emphasis centres ‘Restorative Narrative’ that aims to transmute the slide towards toxic polarisation in non-fiction storytelling to enable repair and healing and thus deepen inter-cultural communication.

Sanghanath, London, UK

Rooted in Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s vision and guided by Buddhist values of compassion, generosity, and social transformation, Sanghanath works to embody these principles through action and community building. Born in rural India and now living in the UK for over 20 years, his life was deeply shaped by Karuna’s work while he was growing up. Having been part of the organisation for more than 16 years, he brings lived experience and a strong commitment to social change.

Parami, Glasgow, Scotland

Parami is one of the seniormost Order members in the Triratna Buddhist Community. She is a wise and humorous teacher, devoted and irreverent, extravert and thoughtful - a unique and inspiring guide with a great Scottish accent! Parami is also a Public Preceptor, holding responsibility for all ordinations around the world. These responsibilities have meant that she has had the opportunity to experience Triratna within a variety of cultural contexts, something which she really values. Living again in Glasgow, she is enjoying involvement in various social action projects.

Sanghasiha, London, UK

Sanghasīha has led Buddhism and Deep Ecology residential and camping retreats, workshops and retreat days for over ten years. He has a particular interest in Deep Listening as a way of connecting deeply with the natural world and believes that environmental activism is an essential activity for the engaged Buddhist.

Tejopala, Melbourne, Australia

Tejopala works as the Executive Director of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), a small not-for-profit that moblises religious and spiritual communities and leaders to put pressure on federal decision makers to tackle the climate crisis. He grew up and first encountered the Dhamma in Aotearoa New Zealand, trained for ordination in the early 2000s in London, and now lives in Australia with his partner, Pasanna, and their two young daughters, Neve and Mallika.

Vidyavardhini, India

Dharmacharini Vidyavardhini is an Indian teacher within the Triratna Buddhist Order, dedicated to sharing the Dharma in ways that are both rooted and accessible. With a strong emphasis on study, meditation, and women’s spiritual development, she has supported the growth of Buddhist communities across India. Her work reflects a deep commitment to personal transformation alongside collective uplift. .

Shantigarbha, Bristol, UK

Shantigarbha is committed to exploring the Dharma through meditation, communication, and social engagement. Drawing on an interest in Nonviolent Communication, he supports others in bringing greater awareness, empathy, and clarity into their relationships and communities. His approach emphasises integrating Buddhist practice into everyday life as a path of personal and collective transformation. He is co-director of Seed of Peace. and author of three books from Windhorse Publications, including The Burning House: A Buddhist response to the climate and ecological emergency.

Vidyaruchi, UK

Vidyaruchi has been a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order since 2009, from which time until 2013 he was personal assistant to its founder, Urgyen Sangharakshita. Since then he has been a freelance Buddhist. When not engaged in teaching or travelling he mainly lives in a cabin in his parents' field. Donate to support his work.

Sukhema, Glasgow, Scotland

Sukhema Butler aka Larry: poet, gardener; born in Illinois, living in Scotland since 1981; teaches taiji & qikung, leads writing groups in healthcare settings. Sukhema is facilitator trainer in the Work That Reconnects and Lapidus Scotland.

Publications include Han Shan Everywhere and Butterfly Bones. Editor for PlaySpace Publications.

Santacitta, Brighton, UK

Santacitta is dedicated to sharing the Dharma through meditation, study, and community engagement. She has a particular interest in supporting women’s practice and fostering spaces of depth, connection, and kindness. Her approach emphasises steady, wholehearted practice and the integration of Buddhist principles into everyday life. She has been active in Buddhist-inspired Nonviolent Direct Action in relation to the Climate and Ecological Crises.

Rodashruti, San Francisco USA

Rodashruti's practice has focused on living with autoimmune disease, turning toward suffering, and engaging with the world. She is inspired by engaged Buddhism, and the balancing influence of meditation and study on action, and is a founding member of the San Francisco Green Sangha.

Cittapala, Somerset, UK

Cittapala is a long-standing member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He can reflect on his engagement with Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain, and Just Stop Oil after encountering Jem Bendell’s Deep Adaptation paper.