The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order

In 1967 Sangharakshita, an English monk ordained into the Theravada tradition, started a new Buddhist movement in Britain. By 1968 the fledgling movement had its first ordained members and the WBO (Western Buddhist Order) was born. Out of this came the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO). In Sangharakshita’s eyes the FWBO was a big experiment. Little was thought out or planned in advance but what emerged over time had its roots in Sangharakshita’s 20 years as a monk, living not in a monastery but primarily in a small hermitage in the north Indian town of Kalimpong. His various duties and responsibilities as teacher, student and especially as a writer enabled him to develop his thinking and understanding of the Dharma. This period of time, as well as the atmosphere of the counter culture sixties, set the scene for a way of Buddhist practice to emerge that was different in many ways to what was currently available in Britain.

Over time as the FWBO grew certain flavours began to become distinctive. Out of regular retreats and meditation practice came a desire to bring the Dharma more into everyday life. People started living together - initially in squats or short life housing - and finding projects that involved working together. Money was raised through groups of students working together in building co-operatives, cafes and restaurants and printing and type-setting businesses. The money raised was used to buy old buildings and the building skills acquired were used to turn an old fire station, furniture shop or a synagogue into a Buddhist Centre. Students found that living and working together helped sustain an ethical practice; they related to one another on a basis of cooperation and open and honest communication. Clusters of disciples formed around each Centre, sometimes living singly, in families and or in communities.

The Order is the heart of the experiment; an Order that is the living pulse of the spiritual community yet is neither monastic or lay. Order Members can live a monastic life-style in a vihara focusing on meditation. They can live together in couples or communities, with or without children, working in their profession or perhaps working in a Buddhist Centre or Right Livelihood Business. Or any of these things in combination; artist, celibate, teacher, policeman, hermit. The factor in common is that whatever you are doing and however you are living, the central point that an Order Member’s life turns on is a commitment to spiritual life and practice.

From early days a desire to pass on the benefits of the Dharma was strong - and Sangharakshita’s passionate response to the Bodhisattva Ideal vividly communicated how much the Buddha’s teachings are needed in the world. Disciples of Sangharakshita from different parts of the world sooner or later returned to their homes and FWBO groups that usually became FWBO Centres were set up in Europe, Australasia and North America. At present there are centres on six continents and in many countries, including in Mexico and Venezuela. For a list of centres and groups worldwide, go to FWBO.org.

At each Centre meditation is taught and Buddhist practice and teachings are offered along with friendliness and interest that characterises the FWBO Sangha.