In the light of current affairs within and without the Order, I am beginning to feel averse to any expression of group solidarity by Order members. Translating that into dharmic terms, it means that I see more and more clearly the value, indeed the crucial importance of standing firm as a [true] individual, to use Sangharakshita's terminology, and withdrawing active support from all groups that appear either to repudiate or not implicitly to uphold the ideals of the Three Jewels.
Expressionism is coming into fashion, and tending as it does to schism, to extremes, and to violence both of word and deed, I am vowing to avoid it with the same meticulousness as I have, with very few exceptions since coming into contact with the Dharma, avoided crowds and groups.
Lending one's personal practical support to groups of people in need is obviously very much in accordance with the Bodhisattva Ideal. But that is different from declaring publicly (as a member of Triratna) one's full and unconditional approval and support of a particular group or group tendency.
One may not fully realize at first all the implications of solidarity and approval, or even what the originators of a given group stand for. This applies to other (non-Triratna) sanghas, how much more to secular organisations, cults or fashionable protest groups. Moreover, group behaviour is so often herd-like, uncritical and sometimes violent. Also, none of us can speak for other Order members explicitly (without their permission). Members of the general public, however, will lump us together and assume one person speaks for all.
None of the foregoing comments are meant to imply that one should not attempt to develop friendships with people who may appear at first to have ideas or attitudes not in harmony with or even opposing one's own. Buddha-nature transcends mundane personality.
Expressionism is coming into fashion, and tending as it does to schism, to extremes, and to violence both of word and deed, I am vowing to avoid it with the same meticulousness as I have, with very few exceptions since coming into contact with the Dharma, avoided crowds and groups.
Lending one's personal practical support to groups of people in need is obviously very much in accordance with the Bodhisattva Ideal. But that is different from declaring publicly (as a member of Triratna) one's full and unconditional approval and support of a particular group or group tendency.
One may not fully realize at first all the implications of solidarity and approval, or even what the originators of a given group stand for. This applies to other (non-Triratna) sanghas, how much more to secular organisations, cults or fashionable protest groups. Moreover, group behaviour is so often herd-like, uncritical and sometimes violent. Also, none of us can speak for other Order members explicitly (without their permission). Members of the general public, however, will lump us together and assume one person speaks for all.
None of the foregoing comments are meant to imply that one should not attempt to develop friendships with people who may appear at first to have ideas or attitudes not in harmony with or even opposing one's own. Buddha-nature transcends mundane personality.