Inevitably, many early Order members drifted away. Sangharakshita continued his work undaunted.

Nagabodhi writes of an early Order gathering:

‘It was possibly during that weekend that he first proposed a symbol for the Order: the 1,000-armed Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion. Avalokitesvara is awake to the cries of the world and the needs of beings. He stands for that perfect blend of wisdom and compassion that can be released into the world when an effective spiritual community brings the bodhicitta, the 'will to Enlightenment’ or 'awakening mind', to life in the world. His eleven heads scan the universe for those in need of help, while his 1,000 arms hold whatever tools, talents, or qualities might serve their needs. As Sangharakshita saw us, we members of the Order were, or would be, those 1,000 arms: a harmonious community of inspired individuals, bonded by a common purpose, each reaching out to the world with whatever skills or qualities we had to offer.’

The Boy, The Monk, The Man, p.226