Biddulph Old Hall in Staffordshire had recently been bought by the English Sangha Trust. During 1965 Sangharakshita made several visits to lead retreats. One retreatant described how there was ’a constant two-way stream of understanding and friendship between the members of the group and, simultaneously, between teacher and pupils.’ This was in stark contrast to the power struggles in the Trust.

‘Rose at 7.00. Today had the same number of meditation sessions etc. but with silence practically the whole time. On the whole day went very peacefully. Weather still dull and a little cold. In the evening rather disturbed by Mangalo who, having returned from London, was rather full of the gossip and back-biting he had heard down there. Said Ven.R. had asked him to co-operate in “ousting” me and had said, moreover, that Alf ought not to be a member of the Sangha Trust as he is a Mahayana Bst.! Decided that this impertinent interference could not be tolerated.’

Diary, Thursday 8 July 1965