Meet our Order Members
Although it is part of the worldwide Triratna Buddhist movement, the Ipswich Buddhist Centre is an independently constituted charity in the care of a number of Trustees.
Day to day management of the Centre is in the hands of the *Council under the leadership of the Chair. The Chair is supported by our President. Council members are *tagged below.
Teaching is led by ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order.
All order members have completed many years of study and dedicated themselves completely to their Buddhist path. At their ordination they are given a Buddhist name.
A number of kulas (working parties) take responsibility for different operational tasks. GET INVOLVED
Everyone gives their time on a voluntary basis.
Swadipa
My name is Swadipa, a name which means “His own light”. I was Ordained in 2008. I was deeply involved with the Centre even before this, being the Secretary of the Council, a role which I continued, but also took on managing the conversion of the building we now occupy from an office to a Buddhist centre. Of course, the transformations have continued since then! I also took on facilitating a number of the regular classes. In 2011. I handed on the job of Centre Secretary and became the Men’s Mitra Convenor for Ipswich. I held this role for ten years before handing it on to Viryamati, who has since passed it on to Prajnakara.
*Carumani
Since coming along to the Centre in early 2000 Buddhism has changed my life. My aim then was to learn to meditate but after the very first Newcomers class and being introduced to the Buddha’s teachings which really resonated with me I have never looked back. I was ordained in 2014 on a three month retreat in Akashavana, Spain – the Triratna Ordination Centre for Women. It was a wonderful experience, living in the mountains with fifteen other women. We formed deep friendships in that time so many very happy memories. My name, Carumani, means ‘beloved, esteemed jewel’. I really enjoy study and sharing the Buddha's teaching. Engaging with others through the Buddhist Centre is important to me. A full and happy life!
Dayasara
I lead the Tuesday lunchtime class, and enjoy Buddhist festivals and many other events around the Buddhist Centre. I have a particular interest in early Buddhism, in links between Buddhism and Western culture and arts, and in care work as a form of spiritual practice.
Kamalasiha
My name means "the lion that is imbued with the qualities of the red lotus". It is pronounced 'calm-ala-see-ah'.
I was Ordained in 2024 and have been coming along to the centre since 2013.
I lead the mantra circle on the 2nd Friday of every month and am also part of the team for Saturday morning newcomers and I hold outdoor rituals from time to time which are known as Puja so if that sounds like your type of thing come and have chat!
My approach to Buddhist practice is a practical one, where I take what we learn from the Buddhas's teachings and test them out in the world at work, with family, and with all the beings that I meet day to day.
Through leading a Buddhist life I have come to be the happiest that I've ever known, and I hope to support others in finding their happiness, in whatever way their path leads them.
*Ariyanivata
I was ordained in 2016 and my name means 'He of noble humility. A native of Ipswich, I started attending the Centre in 2006 and became a member of the Centre Council as Secretary in 2011. I support the early morning meditation sessions, the Tuesday lunchtime class and Sangha retreats and am involved with Centre activities almost daily.
Jnanamitra
I was ordained in 1991 and looking for a pioneering situation, I moved to ipswich the following year. I worked in the Evolution shop for 8 years and then established the first Buddhist Centre in Ipswich in the Thoroughfare. I have also been active in establishing Buddhafield East outdoor activities and I am an amateur potter. I am particularly interested in the ways we deepen our meditation practice. I became Chair of Ipswich Buddhist Centre in December 2005.
*Bodhivamsa
Bodhivamsa has been involved with Buddhism in Ipswich since 1985 and was its Chair for nearly 10 years. He was ordained in 1996. His Ordained name means ‘Protector of the lineage of Enlightenment’. He had a long career working in the Telecoms sector in the UK and Asia. He also has a family with daughters working in Ipswich and Colchester. He was instrumental in setting up both the Ipswich and Colchester Buddhist centres. His greatest joy is assisting people in their discovery of the Buddha's teachings and observing the positive change this brings to their lives.
Viryamati
My name means 'He who has energy and resolve'. I have, along with my wife, been attending the Ipswich Buddist Centre for eleven years. I was ordained in September 2019 on a month-long ordination retreat in Spain. I’m currently supporting the foundation year class and help with the repair and maintenance of the centre. I also help facilitate the 8-step meetings on Sunday evenings.
Arthapriya
Arthapriya is President of the Ipswich Buddhist Centre. He is a senior order member living in Cambridge who provides support and guidance to the Centre from a more detached perspective.
*Shubha
I was ordained in 1998 and my name means 'Bright and Beautiful'. I was part of the East London Buddhist Centre Sangha for nearly 30 years. I worked in Team-based Right Livelihood or for the Centre and lived in Communities. I moved to Ipswich in 2015 and I have really enjoyed contributing to the Sangha in a variety of ways. I became an anagarika in 2019. This is a lifestyle choice to live a simple life without a sexual partner where friendship is central and a great joy. I became Chair of the Ipswich Buddhist Centre in January 2026.
Prajnakara
My name is Prajnakara which means “one who is promoting wisdom in others.” I was ordained at Padmaloka retreat centre in July 2021. I started coming to the Ipswich Buddhist centre in 2004 and enjoyed practicing Meditation with other people. I have been active member of Buddhafield East and supporting the annual summer gathering which takes Buddhism and Meditation into nature. I work as a carpenter plus I teach yoga and have a passion for cycling, growing my own vegetables and being creative with wood. I am the Men's Mitra Convener at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre.
Amoghavajra
As a young man I wanted to make the world a better place. I was also drawn to deep meditation. By living life as a Buddhist I’ve successfully managed to do both! Went along to the Glasgow Buddhist Centre when I was 20 yrs old, ordained at 24. Been very involved in Glasgow, Colchester and Ipswich Buddhist Centres. Played wheelchair basketball at International level. Been to three Paralympics as a wheelchair basketball classifier. Am passionate about freeing humanity from suffering and awakening to our deepest human potential.
Dharmasri
I first got involved in Triratna while at university in Leeds in the late 1980’s, moving to Croydon in 1994. I was ordained in 2004 – my name means “radiance of the Dharma” [Dharma is the Truth/the Buddha’s teaching that leads to Enlightenment]. Among many other things, I spent time working in the local Buddhist-run wholefood shop and as part of the Centre team, both in an admin/reception role and as a trustee and co-ordinator of activities, as well as teaching, leading study, etc. More recently, I lived and worked at Tiratanaloka in Wales for 18 months and moved to Ipswich in 2023.
Harshaprabha
I first made contact with Triratna (our Buddhist order, then FWBO) in 1974. I was one of the pioneers of the London Buddhist Centre. I later set up a Buddhist Right Livelihood near the LBC called Octagon Architects + Designers -1981-2002. I was Ordained in Tuscany in 1982 on the same retreat as Amoghavajra. I established what was to become the Colchester Buddhist Centre in1988, leaving in 2004 to take Triratna to Guelph, Ontario (see website). I engaged in activities at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre from 2006-16, mainly Newcomers Night and the Mens Group. I gladly returned in 2019.
Nagarani
Coming soon.
Visvabandhu
Buddhasiha
I was ordained during a four month course held in a remote retreat centre, high up in the mountains of eastern Spain in 2009. It was there I was given my name which means ‘He who is a Lion of the Buddha’. For many years I helped run the Evolution shop, a Buddhist business supporting practitioners to deepen their practise and generating money for the Buddhist Centre. My passions include meditation, solitary retreats and helping others apply Buddhist teachings to their lives in practical ways that make a tangible difference. I currently lead the team hosting the weekly introductory courses.
Bodhisetu
My name means “bridge to awakening,” and for me it is an inspiration in itself to go further
into the teachings and mysteries of the Buddha’s Dharma.
As an Ipswich man by birth, I feel very grateful to be part of such a beautiful thing as the
Ipswich Buddhist Centre. It’s wonderful to be communicating the Dharma to people in my home town and county.
*Bodhināṭā
coming soon
Jvālasārā
coming soon
Śūnyamaṇi
Hi! My name is Śūnyamani (they/she): “one who is a jewel of emptiness”.
I went to the Cambridge Buddhist Centre when I was 21 and have been living a full Dharma life ever since, more recently in Ipswich.
The Dharma helps me act in the world from a place of more understanding of what it really needs: more people acting out of love and wisdom rather than from greed, hatred and delusion.
I spend my time working at Karuna (a charity based on Buddhist values), helping at Buddhist centres, deepening friendships, bouldering, windsurfing, knocking on doors for my charity or for the Green Party, or off on adventures with pals.
I love practicing meditation in an ever more embodied and integrated way, and I’m inspired by the path of responsibility as a way to grow. I love connection and communication and I’m always keen to meet new people, so come and say hi!
*Sārasijā
Coming soon.
Sīlavāpi
coming soon
Harṣamitra
coming soon
Council Members (our Trustees)
Please don’t hesitate to raise any issue you wish with any of these Trustees. An email to enquiries@ipswichbuddhistcentre.org.uk marked for the attention of a Trustee will always receive a response from a Trustee. If you wish to raise a safeguarding issue please email safeguarding.ipswichbuddhistcentre@proton.me
Shubha(Chair), Carumani (Safeguarding Lead), Sarasija, Eric Orme, Bodhināṭā, Mark Milkovics (Treasurer), Otja Maslaoska, Linz Hoy, Bodhivamsa
