Literally for decades the 'friends of the western buddhist order" claimed that the name "Sangharakshita" could only be translated as "Protector of the Order". The "FWBO-Files" and this website have always stated that this simply isn't true and that "Sangharakshita" can only be translated as "protected by the order". Several attempts by the friends have been made throughout the years to save the wrong legend of the "Protector", see for example this excerpt from a letter from order member Prasadavati dated 11. June 1999: "... in English it is ambigious. If we are dealing with nominative singular terms - Rakshita (spelt with a short final 'a') is a past participle meaning "protected". Rakshita (long final 'a') is an agent noun meaning "protector"" This is how the 'friends' explain their world... However, it seems that at least some 'friends' finally woke up to the truth (concerning this matter, that is): On the hompage of the Minden Buddhist Centre (Germany) the name Sangharakshita is now translated as "protected by the spiritual community". You can see this here. |
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