Regular classes and one-off events exploring Buddhist practice
Thursday DAYTIME Class:
Exploring Buddhist Practice
The Buddha discovered the path to true happiness 2,500 years ago and now people in the West are benefitting more and more from his practical advice. Join us for this new daytime class which is exploring practical ways to calm our busy minds and change our lives for the better. Surprisingly, this doesn't mean 'becoming religious' but rather, exploring how we create our own pain and learning different ways of dealing with the difficulties in our lives. Come when you can.
Join anytime! This daytime drop-in class is open to everyone over 18. There is no pressure to become a Buddhist - it is simply intended to help you live your life in a more peaceful and fulfilling way.
Wed PRACTICE NIGHT:
The Three Refuges: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Wednesdays 7pm – 9:15pm for 3 weeks starting 23 April
We call these the Three Jewels because they are all very precious to us in our lives. And we begin our meetings by reminding ourselves how important they are in our lives. The Buddha was a human being who discovered a true and lasting path to happiness. The Dharma is his teaching about how we too can achieve the same state of fulfilment and contentment in our lives. The Sangha is the community of Buddhists through the years who have passed down the teaching.
Each week from 23rd April we will be exploring each of these jewels in turn. Open to all over 18. You don't need to be a Buddhist or even wish to be one. Just come along and find out what Buddhism is about.
Wed PRACTICE NIGHT:
Buddha Day (Wesak)
Wednesday 14 May 7pm – 9:15pm
The Buddha realised Enlightenment on the night of the full moon in May 2,500 years ago. This was a very significant phenomenon indeed and it is said that the world shook in a joyful response to this great arising of a Perfectly Enlightened Being. following his realisation the Buddha went on to teach and ultimately his recipe for the end of individual suffering and the attainment of true contentment spread all over the East.
Tonight Shakyapada will be exploring the Buddha's journey to and his experience of Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. All over 18 are welcome. No experience of Buddhism is necessary.
Wed PRACTICE Night
Newcomers Evening:
What Buddhist practice means to me
Wednesday 21 May 7pm – 9:15pm
Have you ever wanted to learn more about Buddhism but didn't like to ask? Tonight members of our sangha (community) will each give a short talk about their practice and what it has meant to them in their lives. There will also be an opportunity to go into small groups and discuss Buddhist practice with other members of our sangha.
The evening will begin with a short guided meditation followed by a short break before the main part of the evening. Everyone over 18 is welcome. You do not need to be a Buddhist or wish to be one.
Wed PRACTICE Night:
The Wheel of Life
Later Buddhist tradition was very good at producing visual images which illustrated Buddhist teachings without the use of words. One of these images is the Tibetan Wheel of Life or Bhavachakra which is a symbolic representation of samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist philosophy. During these four practice nights we will be looking at the wheel in detail, seeing how it holds up a mirror to our own lives and how we can escape from it.
All over 18 are welcome. You do not need to be a Buddhist or wish to be one to attend.
SPECIAL EVENT: Saturday Afternoon Meditation in the City Centre
Saturday 14 June 2pm – 3pm
When we meditate, we communicate something very special to those who are watching. So this Saturday we are going to meet at the centre at 1.45pm and carry our mats and portable chairs into one of the squares in the city centre where we will meditate together for as long as each of us wishes.
So please join us if you can. Please book a place and we will contact you with the location a week before. All over 18 welcome. Please book by following the link below.
Wed PRACTICE Night:
Midsummer Puja in the Woods
Wednesday 25 June 7pm – 9:15pm
The Midsummer Equinox has just passed so this week we are going out into the open air for our practice night. We'll be meeting in the woods with our portable chairs or cushions, refreshments and a portable shrine. And together we will be meditating, socialising and performing a special Celtic Puja to celebrate the season.
All over 18 are very welcome. The actual venue, and how to get there, will be announced nearer the time to those who have booked. Please bring any natural materials (pine cones etc) with which to make an offering.