It was founded in the UK in 1967 by Sangharakshita (born Dennis Philip Edward Lingwood)[1] and describes itself as "an international network dedicated to communicating Buddhist truths in ways appropriate to the modern world".

[2] In keeping with Buddhist traditions, it also pays attention to contemporary ideas, particularly drawn from Western philosophy, psychotherapy, and art.

Some friends of the Order may have little, if any, other involvement in its activities, but friendship, Sangha, and community are encouraged at all levels as essential contexts for meditation.

[16] As among Buddhists generally, Puja is a ritual practice at some events intended to awaken the desire to liberate all beings from suffering.

Businesses that operate on the principle of "right livelihood" generate funds for the movement and seek to provide environments for spiritual growth through employment.

[18] Emphasis is placed on teamwork, and on contributing to the welfare of others: for example by funding social projects and by considering ethical matters such as fair trade.

The centre's courses for depression, based on the mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy methodology of Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, featured in the Financial Times in 2008.

[23] According to the community, six characteristics define it: "The FWBO's attitude to spreading the Dharma is one of heartfelt urgency," wrote Stephen Batchelor, a prominent British Buddhist author, in a book published in 1994.

The Triratna Buddhist Order is the focal-point of the community,[27] and is a network of friendships between individuals who have made personal commitments to the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha, in communion with others.

[21] These precepts are different from monastic vows and do not appear in the Vinaya Pitaka, but were formulated on the basis of the so-called "dasa-kusala-dhammas" (ten wholesome actions).

The karma sections of the fundamental meditation texts of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism also list these acts as basic guidelines for lay or ordained practitioners intent on observing the law of cause and effect.

"Mitra" is Sanskrit for "friend", which in this case denotes a person who considers themselves Buddhist, who makes an effort to live in accordance with the five ethical precepts, and who feels that this spiritual community is the appropriate one for them.

He had then recently returned to England after spending two decades as a Buddhist and monk in India, following demobilisation from the British army.

[34] In the 1990s, the order grew in India, and, according to the Encyclopedia of Buddhism,[35] Indian members now make up about half the movement's formal membership.

[24] In 1997, Stephen Batchelor, a prominent Buddhist commentator, was quoted as saying that the FWBO operated as "a self-enclosed system" and that their writings "have the predictability of those who believe they have all the answers".

In October 1997, a report by Madeleine Bunting, then the religious affairs correspondent of the British Guardian newspaper, made wide-ranging allegations of sexual misconduct, dogmatism and misogyny within the movement during the 1970s and 1980s.

[9][24] The most detailed complaints reported were claims by Mark Dunlop, who had lived with the movement's founder for a number of years in the early 1970s, and left the order in 1985.

He stated that he did not indulge in homosexual practices, although attempts were made for him to do so both by using inducements and by using threats.” Following The Guardian report, a widespread debate ensued.

[11][45] Critics pointed to writings by Sangharakshita, and his senior advisor Dharmachari Subhuti, which placed such emphasis on single-sex activities, and what the Triratna Buddhist Community calls “spiritual friendship”,[3] that the potential for misunderstandings or inappropriate behaviour appeared to some to be inevitable.

Although scriptures and historians recognise that the Buddha himself had concerns over such issues, particularly after the birth of his son Rahula, when he left home convinced that "family life was incompatible with the highest forms of spirituality",[53] critics cite Sangharakshita's conservative views as evidence that misogynystic attitudes persisted in the FWBO during the 1980s.

[36] The controversies attracted little public interest, and between 2004 and 2008 both The Guardian, and its sister Sunday newspaper, The Observer, ran three supportive articles, recommending community activities.

"[60] In September 2016, BBC News reported that former members of the Triratna movement claimed that they had been subject to sexual abuse by Sangharakshita at the group's retreat centre in Norfolk.

[62] On 4 January 2017, following his treatment in hospital for pneumonia, Sangharakshita issued a statement expressing “deep regret for all the occasions on which I have hurt, harmed or upset fellow Buddhists, and ask for their forgiveness.

Bhante is the founder of our Order and Movement, and we feel enormous appreciation and gratitude to him for his teachings and inspiration – and yet at the same time we must acknowledge the effects of some of his past actions.