Buddhafield is a collaboration of Buddhists involved with the Triratna Buddhist Community: some of us are members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. We live all over the UK, but we run a programme of camping activities in the South of England, focused around the teaching and practice of Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. We are perhaps best known for organising our own Festival and for the Buddhafield Cafe, which goes to festivals and fairs like Glastonbury, Sunrise and The Green Gathering. As well as this, we run an annual programme of meditation retreat camps and we cultivate on our own land.
The concept of a “Buddhafield”, or of “Buddhafields”, originates in the Mahayana Buddhist Sutras. In these Sutras, Buddhafields are planes of perfect beauty created by the compassionate action of a Buddha. As such they are an environment in which all conditions are perfectly conducive to spiritual practice and in which to gain Enlightenment.
Each year Buddhafield adopts a theme. For 2024 we are exploring With Arms Wide Open.
The Buddhafield Values
Care for Land and Ecology
Land is integral to Buddhafield. It’s where we connect with the elements, strip away our complex lives and live simply together. It’s where we can experience a new and beneficial way to live.
Authentic Community
In a community, we find others, and we find ourselves. The beauty and challenge of relationships are opportunities for generosity, forgiveness and bravery. These are the qualities that move us beyond our self-centredness.
Meaningful Work
Buddhafield offers opportunities for people to work in teams while creating our events and looking after land and kit. Meeting the challenge of working together outdoors in all weathers develops practical skills and confidence in our ability to collaborate.
Celebration of Imagination and Creativity
Imagination and creativity have drifted to the edge of our daily lives as if they are not robust enough for the serious business of today’s world. At Buddhafield, we seek to re-centre qualities like these that go hand in hand with renewal and regeneration. We aim to keep the golden thread of beauty and inspiration in all our activities. We create systems where people’s inspiration, autonomy and ability to rejoice in the world are encouraged. This kind of resourcing is essential to rise to global challenges collectively.
The Buddhafield Mandate System
Buddhafield organises its work using a Mandate system. Each area of work is separated out and devolved responsibility for decision-making is given to a Mandate Holder has a 'resource group' of people with whom they consult about decisions. We currently have more than twenty Mandates. More about how this works, and who the current Mandates Holders are on the Mandate system page.
There is also more information about how Buddhafield works on the charity and fundraising pages.
Buddhafield is committed to inclusivity - find out more about our Inclusivity Team.