India

The very name Druid is composed of two Celtic word roots which have parallels in
Sanskrit. Indeed, the root vid for knowledge, which also emerges in the Sanskrit
word Veda, demonstrates the similarity. The Celtic root dru which means 'immersion'
also appears in Sanskrit. So a Druid was one 'immersed in knowledge.'
Peter Beresford-Ellis
Many followers of Druidry today feel a great affinity with one or more of the
religions of India, and research shows that this feeling may be based upon more
than simply a sense of spiritual or philosophical resonance. There is now
considerable evidence to suggest that Celtic and European cultures share a common
origin with cultures which emerged in India thousands of years ago, and which gave
birth to the 'Dharmic religions' of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.
Spiritual seekers who find their inspiration in both Druidism and the Dharmic
religions may well be reuniting strands of a common cultural and spiritual
heritage.
The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids jointly with the International Center for
Cultural Studies has initiated The One Tree Project - a research programme to
explore these connections in detail, and you can read about this project here . You
can see photos of the first two One Tree gatherings in the gallery below.

Here in a brief interview in Nagpur, India, in 2009, Philip Carr-Gomm gives a

summary of the possible connections:

Celtic Buddhism: "The lineage of Celtic Buddhism was suggested in the 1970's during
casual conversation between the reknowned Tibetan lama Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and
his student John Perks. The actual development is the result of the mixing of their
minds. The lineage was formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1989, when it took
on an official status. After meeting for years in rented rooms Venerable Seonaidh
Perks established the Anadaire Celtic Buddhist Center on 11 acres in Saxtons River,
Vermont, where the sangha erected a stone circle which has aided in increasing and
focusing energies of transformation.
Sangha members are encouraged to establish a daily meditation practice. Practices
range from a host of traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices to the more
contemporary practices of the Celtic Fire visualization and working with the
mandala of the Celtic cross. Also, we encourage integrating everyday practices in
art, music, healing modalities- including animals, and in the business world. As a
group some of our members have gone on yearly retreats to Maine or, to further
connect with the latent Celtic energies, Ireland and Scotland. One member has
delved into thangka painting to explore the emerging Celtic Buddhist mandala. And
in March 2010, we celebrated the ordination of Sister Griffin as Abbess of Glen Ard
Abbey, the newly formed Celtic Buddhist monastery." See also Celtic Buddhism.org

There is a rich vein of Celtic/British and Indian music fusions worth exploring:

CelticVedic - A band put together by OBOD Druid and record producer Youth

Delhi2Dublin -

Sheila Chandra - A stunning combination of Irish and English folk songs with Indian
music and drones can be found in her album 'Weaving My Ancestors' Voices'. Sheila
Chandra says: 'For me, this album is also a statement about going beyond Asian
fusion. I do not want to be an Indian living museum piece here in England. Although
I'm passionate about Asian music and culture, and though I involve the knowledge I
have of Asian structure in my work, this album is more of a statement about me as a
'world citizen'. I believe that my heritage comes not specifically from my own
culture. I believe I am a spiritual heir to a universal form of inspiration.'
Khanda - Uilleann piper from Dublin Martin Nolan and friends play with special
guest Ramesh Shotam

Indian Alba - Two Indian classical musicians and two Scottish traditional musicians
combine their influences to play music which shows that there are no boundaries
between them. Starting with Reels and Ragas they have developed, over the past few
years, a sound which reflects the broad common ground between their traditions.
Many raga gats (themes), particularly those from the borders of the Himalayas, have
close relatives in the melodies of the Scottish highlands and islands, and for both
of them the drone sounds of the bagpipes or the tampura play an important part in
the music.

Celtic Ragas - Celtic Ragas is a musical love affair between Celtic and Indian
instrumentation. The strings of Dunster's sarod and Jamie's guitar eloquently meld
into rich, flowing melodies making the similarities between the musical traditions
of these two cultures apparent.

Four Shillings Short - Listen to their 'From Ragas to Riches'

Listen to an interview below with OBOD member James Nichol on Stroud FM on the
connections between Druidry and Buddhism

Images
The One Tree Gathering Whitlenge Gardens Worcestershire 2013 The One Tree Gathering
Whitlenge Gardens Worcestershire 2013 The One Tree Gathering Whitlenge Gardens
Worcestershire 2013 Pasupati seal from the Indus Valley, Mohenjodaro, 2300-1750 BC
The One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 The One Tree Gathering Balaji
Temple Birmingham 2010 Corwen playing the jug at the One Tree Gathering Balaji
Temple Birmingham 2010 The One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 The One
Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 Damh the Bard plays with Kate & Corwen
at the One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 Beautiful dance concludes
the performances at the One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 The One
Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 The One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple
Birmingham 2010 Philip Carr-Gomm representing OBOD at the Fourth International
Conference & Gathering of Elders, Haridwar India March 2012. Photo Adrian Page Holi
at Fourth International Conference & Gathering of Elders, Haridwar India March
2012. Photo Adrian Page The One Tree Gathering Whitlenge Gardens Worcestershire
2013 The One Tree Gathering Whitlenge Gardens Worcestershire 2013 The One Tree
Gathering Whitlenge Gardens Worcestershire 2013 Pasupati seal from the Indus
Valley, Mohenjodaro, 2300-1750 BC The One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham
2010 The One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 Corwen playing the jug at
the One Tree Gathering Balaji Temple Birmingham 2010 The One Tree Gathering Balaji
Temple Birmingham 2010 <>
Audio
Druidry & Buddhism Stroud FM 141210.mp3
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