Over these three weeks we will be covering the Threefold Path, in which the path is broken down into ethics, meditation and wisdom, with each providing the foundation for the next.
25th April The Threefold Path: ethics
2nd May The Threefold Path: meditation
9th May The Threefold Path: wisdom
07 Feb Nigel – Emotions and their role on the path
14 Feb Julian – Right speech
21 Feb Nigel – Effort or no effort
28 Feb Orla – Gender in Buddhism
07 Mar sangha evening
14 Mar Alan – Biased? Me? – part 1
21 Mar Alan – Biased? Me? – part 2
28 Mar Nigel – Putting the present in its place
4 Apr Julian – The Sīgālaka Sutta
11 Apr double meditation
18 Apr INTRODUCTION: A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
25 Apr Nigel – The Threefold Path: Ethics
Next introductory evening: Wednesday 18th of April 2018, 19:30 to 21:30.
A brief introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation, suitable for complete beginners.
We’re starting 2018 with our 3-week introductory course, covering the basic teachings of Buddhism and a bit of background about Buddhist texts, schools and history to help you navigate the different forms of Buddhism that you might find. We will also be teaching meditation, suitable for complete beginners. Once you have come on an introductory course you can come to our Regulars group which meets every Wednesday.
17 Jan A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
An introduction to the basic concepts of Buddhism and to Buddhist meditation.
24 Jan Schools and Sources
Buddhism was passed down as an oral tradition for several hundred years. How did it come to be written down? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different texts and traditions that we know Buddhism through?
31 Jan Culture and Practice
Buddhism comes with various bits of Eastern cultural baggage. What are these? Where did they come from? Are any of them useful today or can we practice Buddhism without any of them?
Next introductory evening: Wednesday 8th of November 19:30 to 21:30
A brief introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation, suitable for complete beginners.
REGULARS’ GROUP (Wednesdays 19:30 to 21:30)
The regulars group is open to anyone who has been on an introductory course or who is already familiar with Buddhism and meditation. Evenings marked INTRODUCTION are suitable for complete beginners.
06 Sep Alan – Biased? Me?
13 Sep Nigel – The 7 factors for enlightenment
20 Sep Julian – What’s metta got to do, got to do with it?
27 Sep Nigel – Go with the flow
04 Oct Cliff – The Aggi Sutta
11 Oct Double meditation
18 Oct Nigel – How to prosper
25 Oct Alan – On loneliness
01 Nov Eszter – Being your own god
08 Nov INTRODUCTION A very short introduction to Buddhism
15 Nov Nigel – Creating worlds
22 Nov Nigel – How do I do it?
29 Nov Cliff – The suffering of others
06 Dec Talk by Orla
13 Dec Talk by Julian
20 Dec Winter celebration
27 Dec no meeting
03 Jan Nigel – New Year’s Resolutions
10 Jan Subject to be confirmed
17 Jan INTRODUCTION A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
24 Jan INTRODUCTION Schools and Sources
31 Jan INTRODUCTION Culture and Practice
Next introductory evening: Wednesday 9th August 19:30 to 21:30
A brief introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation, suitable for complete beginners.
REGULARS’ GROUP (Wednesdays 19:30 to 21:30)
The regulars group is open to anyone who has been on an introductory course or who is already familiar with Buddhism and meditation. Evenings marked INTRODUCTION are suitable for complete beginners.
03 May The eightfold path – Nigel
10 May Walking the path – Nigel
17 May Refuges and precepts – Alan
24 May The Ānāpānasati Sutta – Alan
31 May The same but different, but the same – Nigel
07 Jun Don’t get mad, get dhamma! Anger management in the suttas – Shona
14 Jun The Saraniya Sutta: the principles of cordiality – Julian
21 Jun Summer celebration – Alan
28 Jun The eight worldly winds – Nigel
05 Jul Dharma Day – Alan
12 Jul Life is not an easy ride – Cliff
19 Jul Buddhism at work – Eszter
26 Jul The four elements – Julian
02 Aug Sigalovāda Sutta pt2 – David
09 Aug INTRODUCTION A very short introduction to Buddhism – Alan
16 Aug The five precepts – Nigel
23 Aug Right speech – Nigel
30 Aug Jhāna – Nigel
10:00 to 16:00 Saturday 22 April
This is our first self-organised retreat in a long time, so we’re keeping it simple. There is no theme or teaching, just a chance to experience the results of a longer period of meditation in a conducive environment.
The day will fall into two parts. The morning (10:00-13:00) will be an Introduction to Meditation class for beginners. Obviously anyone coming on the retreat won’t need this, but we encourage you to come along and sit in, taking advantage of the periods of meditation and giving new folk a chance to meet some regulars.
At 1pm we’ll stop for a light lunch. If you can’t make the morning you can come and join us then. After that the afternoon will be dedicated purely to meditation, alternating sitting and walking meditation. At the end there will be a short time to end with a cup of tea and a discussion of meditation practice.
Further details: see Time and Place
Sat 22 April – Introduction to meditation 10:00-13:00
This morning class will cover the best ways to sit for meditation, basic mindfulness techniques and how to go about establishing a regular meditation practice. With plenty of time for questions and discussion it’s the one we’d recommend most of our introductions.
Wed 26 April – A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism 19:30 – 21:30
Taking the place of our regular Wednesday night meeting for a week, this course introduces both meditation and essential Buddhist concepts – and how they fit together.
Both courses are at 100 Crown Street and are by donation – see Time and place. There is no need to book for them but if you are thinking about coming do drop us an email so we have an idea of how many to expect.
