The Buddhist Order Arya Maitreya Mandala (AMM) was founded on the 14/10/1933 by Lama Anagarika Govinda in Darjeeling, India. The Order started its work in the West on the 30/11/1952. Lama Govinda received the inspiration for a companionship that is focused on the present and the future from his Tibetan teacher Lama Ngawang Kalsang, called Tomo Geshe Rimpoche (who died 1936). He saw Maitreya as a model for a Buddhist life today in the East and the West. Maitreya is the future Buddha who was prophesised to come by Buddha Shakyamuni, and who is already having an effect on present day life. Further influences that formed the Order community and gave it a certain direction were the International Buddhist Union, founded by Mahathera Nyanatiloka and Anagarika Govinda, and also the International Buddhist Academic Union that evolved early from the International Buddhist Union. The basic principle of the Order emphasise the unity of Buddhism in its many diverse schools. The Order is working towards a teaching that suits the requirements of the present, without committing itself to one traditional school of Buddhism. In accordance with this the Order tries to work out the core of Buddha’s teaching and its meaning for the people today. Central to the Order are study, ethics and meditation as well as compassionate work for the good of all beings. The teaching of meditation is – apart from the basic and common introductory practices – always individual and has to suit the personal situation and the particular progress of the practitioner. This takes place in a (personal) teacher – disciple relationship. The psychological methods of the visualisations of the Indian Vajrayana are practised without any relation to historical features. The goal is the development of a free, self responsible person who is of an exemplary character. In 1982 Lama Govinda handed the spiritual leadership of the Order over to the Venerable Advayavajra. In August the 3rd 1999 Advayavajra nominated the Venerable Asanga as Mandalacarya and Vajracarya to be his successor and heir of the Dharma. Ven. Asanga is the only one who is authorised to continue the succession of the Arya Maitreya Mandala. Venerable Advayavajra continues to work and serve as a Mahacarya to the whole Order. The AMM Order is a community of practising Buddhists. The admission to the friends of the Buddhist religious community of the AMM is possible for everyone over the age of 14, who wants to get to know the teaching of the Buddha and who is prepared after thorough examination and in free decision to take the five precepts of a practising Buddhist into his own life. After at least three years of belonging to the friends of the Arya Maitreya Mandala there is the possibility after the age of 18 to be nominated as a candidate for the Order AMM. This time of training and trial is combined with certain commitments. It takes at least three years and ends with the Abhisheka into the Order and in taking the Bodhisattva vow: the vow to commit all one’s energies and strengths to serve the Dharma through continuously working to develop oneself and others. To find out more about events and publications: Secretary’s office, Order Arya Maitreya Mandala