Maitreyabandhu Launch Readings
Buddhist poet Maitreyabandhu will be publishing his fourth Bloodaxe book of poetry A Commonplace Book in November 2026. His third, After Cézanne, was published in October 2019. It followed his two previous Bloodaxe collections The Crumb Road, a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and Yarn (2015).
Maitreyabandhu’s A Commonplace Book, his first book-length poem, follows a year from the death of his Buddhist teacher, during which he looks back on scenes from his own life, upbringing, lost loves, and spiritual awakenings. Part epyllion, part diary, it mingles tradition with innovation, comedy with tragedy, traversing the bardo between this life and the next.
Maitreyabandhu is a Buddhist teacher and writer. His first book-length collection, The Crumb Road (2013), was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was followed by Yarn (2015) and After Cézanne (2019). A Commonplace Book (2026) includes a QR code linking to an online video of Maitreyabandhu reading the whole book with musician Jasper Llewellyn.
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An in-depth interview with Maitreyabandhu featured on The Poems We Made Along The Way podcast of 26 October 2026. He was discussing his poetry with host Gregory Kearns, including his new book-length poem A Commonplace Book. Listen here.
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FORTHCOMING LAUNCH EVENTS
Saturday 31 October, 7.30pm
PoetryEAST: Maitreyabandhu launches 'A Commonplace Book'
London Buddhist Centre
Maitreyabandhu will be launching his new Bloodaxe book-length poem, A Commonplace Book, in conversation with Jnanavaca.
More details and booking here.
Sunday 1 November, 10am-4pm, PoetryEAST:
Maitreyabandhu launches 'A Commonplace Book'
London Buddhist Centre
Day-long reading/performance of the entire poem with musician Jasper Llewellyn.
On this special day retreat Maitreyabandhu, Jasper Llewellyn and his band will perform the whole of A Commonplace Book, Maitreyabandhu’s first book-length poem, that follows the year after the death of Sangharakshita, the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. A multi-media day including music, sound, slides, recitation, meditation, and ritual.
Suggested donation £40. Includes a vegan lunch. Booking via LBC here.
Wednesday 25 November 2026, 7pm GMT (YouTube)
Bloodaxe online launch reading with Helen Farish, Maitreyabandhu and Grace Nichols
Do join Bloodaxe for this launch event for our new November 2026 titles. Bloodaxe editor Neil Astley will be joined by Helen Farish, Maitreyabandhu and Grace Nichols. Helen Farish and Maitreyabandhu will be reading live from their new poetry books, followed by a discussion about their work with each other and with host Neil Astley.
A film extract of Grace Nichols' reading at the Poetry Book Society's Winter Showcase event held at Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts on 11 November 2026 will be played as part of Bloodaxe's online launch.
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PAST EVENTS
After Cézanne was given a pre-publication launch at the London Buddhist Centre on 21 September 2019. Maitreyabandhu gave a reading in combination with a slideshow of Cézanne's paintings. He also read at Fire River Poets in Taunton, Somerset, on 5 September. Click here to read their interview with Maitreyabandhu.
Maitreyabandhu reads 'Rilke Writes to His Wife from the Salon D'Automne' from After Cézanne:
[29 October 2026]
