WHAT IS A MITRA?

A ‘Mitra’ is someone who makes the ‘Three Declarations’:

1. ‘I feel myself to be a Buddhist’

2. ‘I am trying to practise the five ethical precepts’

3. ‘I want to deepen my exploration of Buddhism within the context of the FWBO’

Becoming a Mitra is an important step in someone’s life as a Buddhist. It is marked by a public ceremony. In the Buddhist tradition the language used would be that someone chooses to ‘Go for Refuge to The Three Jewels’. The Three Jewels are: The Buddha - the Principle of Human Enlightenment, The Dharma - the teachings that lead to Enlightenment, The Sangha - the fellowship of others practising the Dharma.


The Three Declarations Explored

1. ‘I feel myself to be a Buddhist’

This means that you identify in some way with the Buddhist tradition: this might be a strong response to the example of the Buddha, or to the potential of human Enlightenment; a resonance with the Buddha’s teachings; or simply an intuitive sense that the experience of Buddhism and being around Buddhists feels ‘right’. 

2. ‘I am trying to practise the five ethical precepts’

All Buddhist practise is directed at transforming our minds: realising our potential as human beings. An essential part of this development is a deepening sense of our interconnectedness with all life. The five ethical precepts of Buddhism are both an expression of this realization and a way of deepening our understanding of it.

The precepts are:

Abstaining from harming living beings. The principle of Loving Kindness.

Abstaining from taking the not-given. The principle of Generosity.

Abstaining from sexual misconduct. The principle of Contentment.

Abstaining from false speech. The principle of Truthfulness.

Abstaining from intoxication through drink or drugs. The principle of Mindfulness

Whilst only a Buddha can be the perfect embodiment of these ethical principles, every Buddhist needs to be striving to develop them through their everyday actions and interactions. A Mitra is someone who is trying to live by these precepts more and more fully. For each person this will express itself differently, however there will also be commonality. Most mitras, for example, would be moving towards being vegetarian if they aren’t already.

3. ‘I want to deepen my exploration of Buddhism within the context of the FWBO’

There are many approaches to Buddhism represented by the different schools and Buddhist groups – or Sanghas. Each has its own distinctive emphases. A Mitra is someone, who as far as they can see, wants to deepen their involvement with this particular Buddhist Sangha – the FWBO. This arises out of some contact, perhaps even friendships, with Buddhists at an FWBO Centre. Usually someone becoming a Mitra would have been attending an FWBO Centre for at least 6 months, and have some experience of FWBO retreats.