Help Mo on her ordination journey

The path to the Buddhist Centre was a bumpy one. I was made redundant, had bronchitis and had to sell my flat. I was at an all-time low ebb and decided to go to Dhanakosa for the ‘Beginner’s meditation and Buddhist Images Retreat’. I had no intention of becoming a Buddhist but was interested in the meditation which I knew would help with the stress and anxiety I was experiencing.

The teachings of the Buddha inspired me and when hearing the stories. I felt that I had always thought that way, so perhaps I was a Buddhist after all. After a year, I asked for ordination and went on retreats to Taraloka to learn more. I later joined a study group. My path wasn’t always straightforward. Having caring responsibilities, I found it difficult to muster the commitment that was required. After a couple of years, I felt the pull of the dharma and the sangha and knew that I had to return.

I continued to practice even when I moved to Shetland to work and the Sangha was very small. When I retired, I returned to Glasgow and knew that this was time to give more commitment to my practice. I made more friendships and established my Kula and my GFR group, who have helped me greatly on my spiritual journey. Gunasiddhi agreed to be my private preceptor – the last piece of the jigsaw on my ordination journey.

I have worked very hard to be considered for ordination, over many years. I am looking forward to going to Adhistana with my friends at my side and to my new beginning.

A word from Gunasiddhi, Mo’s private preceptor:

Something about the Dharma sparked Mo’s interest on retreat at Dhanakosa in 1996 and has remained constant in her heart and lifestyle ever since. Through a great deal of effort and hard work, her personal journey has reached a point that she is now ready to join the Triratna Buddhist Order.

This is not the end of her travels, but, in many ways the start.

Many of you will know Mo as a mother, grandmother, activist, musician, artist and more. While you will still recognise her in these ways, this retreat is her time to go forth, to let go of the old and to allow the new to emerge.

Thanks to her good friends for organizing this GoFundMe page. Thank you to anyone who feels they can give financial support to help Mo onto her ordination retreat.

The amount that we need to raise is £1700, but anything extra will be donated to the Karuna trust in India.