Satyalila kicks off the rejoicings:
I've very much appreciated gradually getting to know Janaka as a Dharma-brother in the time we've been practising side by side as Mitra Convenors. His dedication to, and love of, meditation is what shines out first when I think of where to begin rejoicing. I remember on our Easter Sangha retreat at Springhead a few years back Liz Jones commenting on the positive weight of his presence and his practice in the shrine room. He wasn't on the team that year, but contributed significantly to that retreat just by being there, being himself with all his decades of practice, months of time spent on meditation retreat and the daily practice which sees him on his cushion at 6 am most days. This latter I learned only last week when we did the Urban Retreat and I discovered that our 7.15 am meditation was a 'late start' for him!
As I type this, I can see him doing that wry smile of his - hard to put into words. It's kind of self-deprecating and 'cutting through rhetoric' all at once. In a recent Monday night interview I remember Janaka saying to Steven Greer that he didn't much care what people thought of him (I think he said he didn't feel he had a super-ego). I could see the truth of that - he has a great capacity to cut through hyperbole and bring things down to earth. To be very honest about his own responses to things in a way that can be very refreshing. I see it as a quality of individuality (not to be confused with individualism).
It's a lovely thing to see Janaka engaged in some team project, particularly with the Order, where he looks to be in his element. I've witnessed this especially at Wymondham, where we have our big Order Conventions and Janaka is often in the organizing team. He's spoken of how much he enjoys that kind of collaboration and it's easy to see that if you catch a glimpse of him cycling round the grounds there, happily smiling and intent on some errand.
It hasn't always been easy between me and Janaka, we're very different characters and a couple of years back we had a major falling out. Such things are almost inevitable if we commit to practising alongside each other in all our diversity - we just will run up against each other. What matters is what happens THEN. In this case, Janaka was ready to engage with what happened, talked in his chapter about it and was willing to spend time with me (and a bunch of Order friends who offered to help and hear us both) to re-find our common ground. It wasn't easy and we didn't 'sort it out' completely that way: that took time. However, what we DID do, I think, was to tap into a collective confidence/trust bigger than either of us which enabled us to come back into relationship within the Sangha. We've gone on to plan and lead numerous events together since then and I rejoice that we've been able to meet so fully and creatively on the 'ground' of our Dharma practice and move forward.
I rejoice in Janaka's creativity - he's a man of many talents. Painting and writing particularly come to mind. He quietly pursues these interests without making a big deal of them but they're a significant part of his life and practice.
And finally I'd like to rejoice in how Janaka stepped into the Mitra Convenor's role - seeing and responding to the need and putting himself into it with a strong desire to develop the men's Sangha in Bristol. He's been very active, being involved in classes and courses several nights a week, moving into the men's community, meeting up with Mitras, establishing a kula/group to support him and attending the national Mitra Convenors' gathering. And all this at a time of life when many folk would be feeling ready to put their feet up. Sadhu, Janaka! I rejoice in all you've done to help the men's Sangha in Bristol to thrive.
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Liz Jones says: I recall at one Easter retreat referring to him as the "ballast" during our meditation sessions. He is very steady to meditate with in a group and that whole weekend I sat opposite him.....a lot of people went walking one rainy afternoon and only three of us remained to meditate and he was one of them. It's useful to be around someone who feels "stable" and "solid" and the effects really rippled over to my side of the room.
Dan Berridge: Very lucky to have got to know Janaka in the past year. His knowledge is deep and is accompanied with wisdom and humour. He is extraordinarily generous with his time and also always patient with my daft questions. He deserves a big Thank You from everyone!
Tim Mason: I met Janaka shortly after I arrived in Bristol about two years ago. I was expressing a desire to ‘transfer’ as a mitra from a study group in Stirling. We went over to the Amitabha Centre’s cafe to have a chat and I was relieved to see that he liked cake almost as much as I did!
Equanimity (‘upeka’) is not always valued in our western culture but I understand it as the most accomplished of the ‘brahma viharas’. I have taken advantage of the low key and unostentatious advice or comment that Janaka can provide and think I could rely on him not to make a ‘drama out of a crisis’ – should I have one!!”
Ryan James: Janaka oh Janaka... what a dude! No seriously, he's a man I seriously misunderstood for a long time until I took the time to explore what made him tick. Now I positively love the guy... he's just so, well... Janaka!
Wise, intuitive, grounded, warm, generous, kind, extraordinarily insightful... and despite that grumpy face he sometimes wears, he makes me chuckle, which seems to make him chuckle too... which is just a lovely experience every time it happens.
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From Simhanada : Janaka: Sheer integrity
Mention Janaka, and for me, three incidents immediately come to mind. Firstly, his performance at interview for the lead role in the Bristol schools outreach programme which became Vitarka. Janaka's total and undiluted honesty rather emphatically ruled him out for the job, but it left everyone on the panel impressed, mildly aghast at his integrity. Second, a short, sharp and incandescent denunciation of superficiality which I had the good fortune to hear him deliver and which I still treasure. To this day, when ever I have to square up to the superficial, I recall the bright flash of Janaka's blade. Thirdly, his mitra convenor review for the Centre Trustees; a slow, calm, rock-steady narrative of quiet and gentle charm, full of interesting detail, delivered with an unaffected and entirely natural humility. Janaka can seem a bit scary - but he's a diamond.
Andy Sears: Janaka's knowledge of the Dharma is so clearly broad and deep. His kindness and willingness to help others an inspiration for us all
Martin Rimmer: I am very grateful to Janaka for his careful consideration with me of my request to become a mitra. He introduced a sense of unhurried reflection to the progress which was helpful. And I am enormously grateful to Janaka for arranging my mitra ceremony to fall poetically on a Monday when Kumuda's Amitabha painting (which I had connected so powerfully with on the last urban retreat) was up, and for leading that beautiful ceremony to mark such an important step in my spiritual practice.
Khemajoti: I appreciate Janaka's love of the Dharma and of the Triratna community and Order. He has given of himself very fully in many situations for many years. Those I know of include fundraising for the Karuna Trust on both group appeals and as a solo fundraiser, working in the Evolution shop in the Galleries (where he was a steady unpacker in the frenzied Christmas period) and here at the Centre in many ways. He has a deep love of meditation and likes to get away on long retreats. We benefit from this in what he shares with us in the classes he leads. Sadhu, Janaka!
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Taranita: Janaka is a man who cares deeply about the men's Sangha. So much so that he undertook to be the men's Mitra Convenor for three years. This is a big commitment, with a great deal of responsibility and I admire Janaka's generosity and dedication in fulfilling this role.
Karunavapi: I appreciate that Janaka encourages me to defy my expectations by being so mysterious!! "When he rises up, he rises up like a sky lark"
Suryadaya: I would like to rejoice so many of Janaka's qualites but in particular, for me, his stillness and his quiet kindness, which I have come to appreciate greatly. I love it when he leads a puja. He's taken me to many places on those occasions. I love it when he chants and I love it when he sometimes breaks into a huge beaming smile at me. He once showed me a fine portrait of himself as a younger man at Oxford and I could so see him it. I would like to thank him for all his words of kindness and support, most especially since my ordination. But it's that stillness that I associate with him most.
Jvalamalini: I very much appreciate Janaka's commitment to practice, especially meditation, but also in his willingness to challenge himself and serve the Sangha by becoming mitra convenor. He is often generously willing to help out, and being well-rooted in Triratna, upholds our values well. A man of depth and mystery, I especially enjoy the way he sometimes sparkles unexpectedly!
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