Regular classes and one-off events exploring Buddhist practice
EXTRA EVENT:
Midsummer Puja in the Woods
Friday 20 June 7pm – 9:15pm
The Midsummer Equinox is on the Saturday of this week so we are having an extra sangha night event on the Friday before, out into the open air. We'll be meeting in the woods with our portable chairs or cushions, refreshments and a small shrine. And together we will be meditating, socialising and performing a special Celtic Puja to celebrate the season. The venue is accessible by car and okay for wheelchairs. There is a car park.
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.
Wed PRACTICE NIGHT:
How do we know if we are on the right Spiritual Path?
Wed 25th June from 7.00pm to 9.15pm
How do we know what is the right spiritual Path?
There is a confusing and conflicting amount of information, ‘new-age’ advice and ‘self-help’ advice available to us these days, especially on social media. How do we judge what is true and beneficial and what is not? In the Buddha’s day, people were also struggling with a similar dilemma of being bombarded by conflicting doctrines and dogma. In an ancient Buddhist text the Kalama tribe ask the Buddha how they can judge what is a wise teaching and what is not? Today Susan will explore his answer.
Open to all over 18. No experience of Buddhism necessary. No need to book. Please make a donation if you can for the session.
Thursday DAYTIME Class:
How do we know if we are on the right Spiritual Path?
Thursday 26 June 11am – 1:15pm
How do we know what is the right spiritual Path?
There is a confusing and conflicting amount of information, ‘new-age’ advice and ‘self-help’ advice available to us these days, especially on social media. How do we judge what is true and beneficial and what is not? In the Buddha’s day, people were also struggling with a similar dilemma of being bombarded by conflicting doctrines and dogma. In an ancient Buddhist text the Kalama tribe ask the Buddha how they can judge what is a wise teaching and what is not? Today Susan will explore his answer.
Open to all over 18. No experience of Buddhism necessary. No need to book. Please make a donation if you can for the session.
Wed PRACTICE Night:
Vijayasri talks about her long Dharma Life
Wednesday 2nd July from 7.00pm to 9.15pm
This evening Shakyapada will be in conversation with her Private Preceptor Vijayasri who has had a long and interesting life in the Order taking on many responsibilities, raising a family and being a very good friend to many people. During the evening there will be an opportunity to ask questions about her practice and her life in the Order. The evening will begin, as usual, with meditation.
All over 18 are welcome. No experience of Buddhism is necessary. No need to book - just turn up.
Thursday DAYTIME Class:
New Module
The Mystery of Being
Thursdays from 3rd July for Six Weeks - 11.00am to 1.15pm
This weekly daytime drop-in class includes many aspects of Buddhist practice which can be helpful to you whether you wish to practice Buddhism or not. Each week begins with a guided meditation, after which Shakyapada will introduce a particular theme for the week. Discussion and questions are encouraged. From 3rd July for six weeks we will be exploring the Buddhist concept of non-self or anatman. This is not to say that the self does not exist, merely that it does not exist in the way that we think it does.
All over 18 are welcome. No need to book - just turn up when you can.
Wednesday PRACTICE NIGHT:
Dharma Day
The Buddha's First Teaching
Wednesday 9th July from 7.00pm until 9.15pm
Today we celebrate the Festival of Dharma Day, an occasion when Buddhists from all traditions celebrate their good fortune in coming across the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching. The Buddha Sakyamuni first Turned the Wheel of the Dharma some weeks after after his Enlightenment, 2,500 years ago. Then, in our own time, our teacher, Sangharakshita, brought the Dharma to the West in 1967 and began our own Western Buddhist Movement. On this day mitras (friends) from York Buddhist Centre will be telling the story of that special day and leading us in our celebration.
All over 18 are welcome. No experience of Buddhism is necessary. No need to book - just turn up.