user14640: I've been attending a Triratna Buddhist centre for half a year now, and have learned a lot about Buddhist teachings from there. I'm curious, however, about how Triratna is seen from other schools such as Mahayana and Theravada, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism etc.
In particular:

Is there any strong disagreement from other schools about the particulars of Sangharakshita's teachings? Or are they quite compatible?
Do other schools tend to regard Triratna as a serious tradition, or is the "Westernisation" of Triratna's teachings seen as a detriment?
Is the view of Triratna from other schools generally positive, neutral or negative?


user13709: The Guardian Article mentions a problematic past early in the Triratna movement.
That story will be read by other Buddhists who also understand that:

SN42.8:9.1: ‘In many ways the Buddha criticizes and denounces sexual misconduct …

The Triratna history may cause some concern among other Buddhists. But those other Buddhists will also reflect on their own past mistakes. For example:

SN42.8:10.3: That’s not right, it’s not good, and I feel remorseful because of it. But I can’t undo what I have done.’
SN42.8:10.4: Reflecting like this, they give up lying, and in future they refrain from lying.
SN42.8:10.5: That’s how to give up this bad deed and get past it.

Personally, I would have no issue at all with going to a Triratna center and practicing there as long as that center did indeed take refuge in the Buddha, the Teachings and the Sangha, since those are, after all, the Triratna

user157: I've been part of the Triratna Community for maybe 15 years. I do know that people can find it controversial but that's more from a secular perspective - some ethical stuff that was going on early on in the movement wasn't great.
Regarding how other schools regard it - I would point you to this book
The thought of Sangharakshita. A critical evaluation
There's a lot in this but the basic theme is that Sangharakshita (founder of Triratna) is revered within the movement and basically unknown outside of it. The author says there should be a middle way with this and a he deserves to be more widely know. He has ideas that the author feels have wider merit. Conversely people within the movement could do with a more critical analysis of his work. It also really digs into his ethical lapses if that's of interest.

14640: <p>I've been attending a Triratna Buddhist centre for half a year now, and have learned a lot about Buddhist teachings from there. I'm curious, however, about how Triratna is seen from other schools such as Mahayana and Theravada, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism etc.</p>
<p>In particular:</p>
<ol>
<li>Is there any strong disagreement from other schools about the particulars of Sangharakshita's teachings? Or are they quite compatible?</li>
<li>Do other schools tend to regard Triratna as a serious tradition, or is the &quot;Westernisation&quot; of Triratna's teachings seen as a detriment?</li>
<li>Is the view of Triratna from other schools generally positive, neutral or negative?</li>
</ol>
 13709: <p>The <a href="https://thebuddhistcentre.com/timeline/the-triratna-story-by-vajragupta.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Guardian Article</a> mentions a problematic past early in the Triratna movement.</p>
<p>That story will be read by other Buddhists who also understand that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn42.8/en/sujato#sn42.8:9.1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN42.8:9.1</a>: ‘In many ways the Buddha criticizes and denounces sexual misconduct …</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Triratna history may cause some concern among other Buddhists. But those other Buddhists will also reflect on their own past mistakes. For example:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn42.8/en/sujato#sn42.8:10.3" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN42.8:10.3</a>: That’s not right, it’s not good, and I feel remorseful because of it. But I can’t undo what I have done.’<br />
<a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn42.8/en/sujato#sn42.8:10.4" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN42.8:10.4</a>: Reflecting like this, they give up lying, and in future they refrain from lying.<br />
<a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn42.8/en/sujato#sn42.8:10.5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN42.8:10.5</a>: That’s how to give up this bad deed and get past it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Personally, I would have no issue at all with going to a Triratna center and practicing there as long as that center did indeed take refuge in the Buddha, the Teachings and the Sangha, since those are, after all, the Triratna</p>
 157: <p>I've been part of the Triratna Community for maybe 15 years. I do know that people can find it controversial but that's more from a secular perspective - some ethical stuff that was going on early on in the movement <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangharakshita#Allegations_of_sexual_coercion_and_abuse" rel="noreferrer">wasn't great</a>.</p>
<p>Regarding how other schools regard it - I would point you to this book</p>
<p><a href="https://www.robertmellis.net/lesson/the-thought-of-sangharakshita-a-critical-evaluation/" rel="noreferrer">The thought of Sangharakshita. A critical evaluation</a></p>
<p>There's a lot in this but the basic theme is that Sangharakshita (founder of Triratna) is revered within the movement and basically unknown outside of it. The author says there should be a middle way with this and a he deserves to be more widely know. He has ideas that the author feels have wider merit. Conversely people within the movement could do with a more critical analysis of his work. It also really digs into his ethical lapses if that's of interest.</p>
