In August 2023 we’ll be publishing the next three volumes in Sangharakshita’s Complete Works. This will bring the total number of volumes available so far to twenty-four.
Sangharakshita (1925–2018) was the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community, a worldwide movement. He had a lifetime of teaching and writing, and continues to be Triratna’s principal teacher and guide.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita include all his previously published work, as well as talks, seminars, and writings published for the first time. The collection represents the definitive edition of his life’s work as Buddhist writer and teacher.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 8: Beating the Dharma Drum: India Writings II
The first part of this volume consists of Sangharakshita’s writings about Anagarika Dharmapala, a Sri Lankan Buddhist who made it his life’s mission to restore the sacred site of Bodh Gaya, and whom Sangharakshita came to revere as one of the great Buddhists of the twentieth century. “Anagarika Dharmapala is one of two figures (along with Dr. Ambedkar) recently added to the Triratna Refuge Tree. You can learn more in the new edition of Teachers of Enlightenment due for publication in July this year.”
The second part is made up of articles Sangharakshita wrote for the Maha Bodhi journal, first as a regular contributor and then as the editor. They include poetic and philosophical reflections on the Dharma, as well as trenchant observations on the Buddhist world and calls to action on the issues of the day.
The third part is a collection of book reviews published in the Maha Bodhi journal and other magazines over the course of nearly fifty years, from the days when the appearance of any new translation or commentary was a significant event, to more recent times, when readers could choose between hundreds of new titles.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 8: Beating the Dharma Drum: India Writings II
The first part of this volume consists of Sangharakshita’s writings about Anagarika Dharmapala, a Sri Lankan Buddhist who made it his life’s mission to restore the sacred site of Bodh Gaya, and whom Sangharakshita came to revere as one of the great Buddhists of the twentieth century. “Anagarika Dharmapala is one of two figures (along with Dr. Ambedkar) recently added to the Triratna Refuge Tree. You can learn more in the new edition of Teachers of Enlightenment due for publication in July this year.”
The second part is made up of articles Sangharakshita wrote for the Maha Bodhi journal, first as a regular contributor and then as the editor. They include poetic and philosophical reflections on the Dharma, as well as trenchant observations on the Buddhist world and calls to action on the issues of the day.
The third part is a collection of book reviews published in the Maha Bodhi journal and other magazines over the course of nearly fifty years, from the days when the appearance of any new translation or commentary was a significant event, to more recent times, when readers could choose between hundreds of new titles.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 15: Pāli Canon Teachings and Translations
For Sangharakshita, the Dhammapada was ‘a source of inspiration, encouragement, and guidance for well over fifty years. Indeed, I sometimes think that the Dhammapada contains, at least in principle, as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know in order to progress towards Enlightenment.’ This volume contains Sangharakshita’s own translation of this ‘best known and best loved of all Buddhist scriptures’, as well as his translations of other Pāli suttas.
It also presents several of his commentaries (based on seminars) on Pāli texts: Living with Awareness, on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, the Buddha’s seminal teachings on mindfulness; Living with Kindness, on the Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta, the equally essential teaching on loving kindness; Auspicious Signs, on the Maṅgala Sutta; and the Salutation to the Three Jewels, on the Tiratana Vandanā.
The volume concludes with The Threefold Refuge, in which Sangharakshita explores perspectives on Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels not found elsewhere in his writings.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 15: Pāli Canon Teachings and Translations
For Sangharakshita, the Dhammapada was ‘a source of inspiration, encouragement, and guidance for well over fifty years. Indeed, I sometimes think that the Dhammapada contains, at least in principle, as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know in order to progress towards Enlightenment.’ This volume contains Sangharakshita’s own translation of this ‘best known and best loved of all Buddhist scriptures’, as well as his translations of other Pāli suttas.
It also presents several of his commentaries (based on seminars) on Pāli texts: Living with Awareness, on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, the Buddha’s seminal teachings on mindfulness; Living with Kindness, on the Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta, the equally essential teaching on loving kindness; Auspicious Signs, on the Maṅgala Sutta; and the Salutation to the Three Jewels, on the Tiratana Vandanā.
The volume concludes with The Threefold Refuge, in which Sangharakshita explores perspectives on Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels not found elsewhere in his writings.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 17: Wisdom Teachings of the Mahāyāna
How much knowledge of the Dharma do we need? Sangharakshita’s answer might surprise some: ‘a lot less than we think’, but we need to use the knowledge we do have well. This is the teaching of the four main works in this volume.
Based on seminars conducted in 1976 and 1978, each offers a lesson in how to think critically about Mahāyāna Buddhist teachings, and how to apply them to day-to-day life.
They are The Way to Wisdom, on the five spiritual faculties; Living Ethically and Living Wisely, on Nāgārjuna’s Precious Garland, and Know Your Mind, which explores a Tibetan Abhidharma text.
The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
Volume 17: Wisdom Teachings of the Mahāyāna
How much knowledge of the Dharma do we need? Sangharakshita’s answer might surprise some: ‘a lot less than we think’, but we need to use the knowledge we do have well. This is the teaching of the four main works in this volume.
Based on seminars conducted in 1976 and 1978, each offers a lesson in how to think critically about Mahāyāna Buddhist teachings, and how to apply them to day-to-day life.
They are The Way to Wisdom, on the five spiritual faculties; Living Ethically and Living Wisely, on Nāgārjuna’s Precious Garland, and Know Your Mind, which explores a Tibetan Abhidharma text.
