The Triratna Story by Vajragupta

The Triratna Story order of nuns, this order dwindled substantially over the centuries and full ordination in Asian Buddhism has become an almost male-only institution.99 But as Buddhism has come to the West, this situation has changed. Most of those seriously following Buddhism are not monks, but they may be deeply, existentially engaged with practice, and want it to pervade all areas of their lives. They may meditate every day, go on long retreats, start Buddhist groups and centres, or undertake a serious study of the Dharma. And both men and women have taken up the Buddhist life in this way.

This is how it is in the Western Buddhist Order. In fact, there has been a particularly thorough examination of the relationship between spiritual commitment and lifestyle, a critique of overidentification of the spiritual life with monasticism,100 and exploration of the implications of doing things differently. Not only are people able to practise Buddhism while living a variety of lifestyles, but they can also do so fully, to the extent of joining a Buddhist order. Not only do women have access to the teachings but they receive exactly the same ordination as men.

This understanding has been expressed most succinctly as ‘commitment primary, lifestyle secondary’. You need a lifestyle that enables you to follow through the spiritual commitment you’ve made; but it is the commitment – the Going for Refuge – that is first and foremost, that really defines you as a Buddhist, and unites you with others who’ve made a similar commitment.

Although these teachings on ‘the primacy of Going for Refuge’ and on a unified order for men and women may seem obvious and unremarkable, in the context of traditional Buddhism they are radical and daring. In his writings, Sangharakshita has been on guard against Buddhists in the West thinking of monastic ordination, the Bodhisattva vows, or Tantric initiations101 as putting you more properly or powerfully on the spiritual path. He emphasizes the common Going for Refuge that is the essential element to all 108