About Dharmachari Subhuti

Subhuti was born in Chatham England in 1947 and was known as Alex Kennedy until his ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1973. As a devoted disciple of the movement’s founder Urgyen Sangharakshita he has played an outstanding role in the movement’s development through his writing and teaching, his frequent talks, through his work and influence on many of its institutions and through the personal effect he has had on many individuals, not least those he has personally ordained.

Subhuti played a major role in the establishment of the London Buddhist Centre and remains its President. He was also intimately involved in the establishment of Guhyaloka, the men’s retreat centre in Spain where he lived for a number of years and which has become a focal point for ordination for many men . For many years he was based at Padmaloka, the retreat centre in Norfolk where he helped develop the present ordination training for men, including writing much of the study material. He has also been Chairman of the College of Public Preceptors, president of the Valencia centre and a key figure in the establishment of the men’s ordination process in the United States.

For the last 25 years Subhuti has been instrumental in the growth of the Indian wing of the movement, currently spending 6 months a year working particularly closely with the  men’s ordination team there.  Subhuti also visits Hungary regularly where his support and advocation of the Jaibhim Network brings him into relationship the Gypsy Buddhists of Eastern Europe who are working to help bring the dharma, and Dr. Ambedkar`s teaching to the Gypsy community. 

As well as a large number of pamphlets Subhuti has written a number of books on Buddhism including The Buddhist Vision, Buddhism and Friendship and Sangharakshita: A New Voice in the Buddhist Tradition.  He continues to work closely with Urgyen Sangharakshita, and recent collaboration has led to the publishing of a number of new articles based on their discussions.

Subhuti has long been a guiding influence for the Triratna Buddhist Community centres throughout the UK and Europe as well as the Americas, India and Australasia. When he is not leading retreats, visiting centres and giving talks around the globe, Subhuti dwells in his Kuti in Snowdonia, North Wales.