Reimagining Buddhism: Understanding Sangharakshita and His Teachings

The celebrated and controversial English Buddhist teacher Sangharakshita was a central figure in bringing Buddhism to the West and reviving it in India. Reimagining Buddhism seeks the source of his complex legacy in his distinctive spiritual imagination, tracing how it shaped his teachings, his life as a scholar-monk, and his development of the Triratna Buddhist movement.

Written with sensitivity and insight, this book offers a fresh understanding of Sangharakshita’s life and work for both newcomers and those who know them well.

’A breakthrough work of study, reflection, and synthesis.’

Dhivan Thomas Jones, author of This Being, That Becomes

’This book sensitively and critically examines one of the most important figures in Buddhism’s twentieth-century transmission to Britain. ... Essential reading for anyone interested in Buddhism’s presence in the West.’

Elizabeth J. Harris, University of Birmingham, President of the UK Association for Buddhist Studies

’With a rare combination of careful reading, meticulous research, and generous imagination, Vishvapani invites us to understand his subject in entirely new ways.’

Vidyadevi, editor of Sangharakshita’s Complete Works

’An essential text for all interested in the development of Buddhism in its engagement with Western culture.’

The Rev’d Canon Richard Peers, former Dean of Llandaff Cathedral

’Vishvapani opens the door to the rich treasury of Sangharakshita’s legacy. A book to which I will keep returning!’

Prajnaketu, author of Cyberloka: A Buddhist Guide to Digital Life

’Without shying away from the challenges, Vishvapani guides us to a deeper understanding of Sangharakshita’s formidable spirit, as well as the breadth of his approach.’

Suryagupta, Chair of the London Buddhist Centre

Vishvapani is the author of Gautama Buddha and the editor of Challenging Times. Since 2006 he has been the Buddhist contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. He lives in Cardiff with his wife and son, and his work has included mindfulness teaching, writing, broadcasting, leading Buddhist pilgrimages, and holding central positions within the Triratna Buddhist Community. He was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1992.

Vishvapani is the author of Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One (Quercus, 2011) and the editor of Challenging Times: Stories of Buddhist Practice When Things Get Tough(Windhorse Publications, 2006). Since 2006 he has been the Buddhist contributor to BBC Radio 4’s ’Thought for the Day’. He lives in Cardiff with his wife and son and his work over the years has included mindfulness teaching, writing, broadcasting, leading pilgrimages to the Buddhist holy places and holding central positions within the Triratna Buddhist Community. He became a Buddhist as a teenager and was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1992