We won’t be holding meetings for a while in order to avoid spreading Covid-19. Further updates will be posted on this site when we have them.
Buddhism from the Beginning 2020
Do you want to learn meditation or understand the foundations of Buddhist practice? This short course introduces the essential Buddhist ideas and meditations that you need to begin. Its emphasis is on teachings that you can test and put into practice in your own life, not on untestable beliefs. We ask people to come to at least the Very Short Introduction before joining our regular Wednesday evening meetings
15 Jan 2020 A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism – part 1
22 Jan 2020 A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism – part 2
What do terms like karma, nirvana and enlightenment really mean? This two-part introduction looks at how to understand essential Buddhist ideas in a clear and practical way.
Meditations: mindfulness of body and breath
29 Jan 2020 Culture and Practice
Buddhism comes with various Eastern cultural attachments. What are these? Where did they come from? Are any of them useful today or can we practice Buddhism without any of them?
Meditation: gladdening the mind
05 Feb 2020 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?
Meditation: nurturing goodwill
There is also the option to do a longer introduction to meditation on the morning of Saturday the 11th of January. Click here for details.
Introduction to meditation morning
9:00 to 13:00 Saturday 11th January 2020
This morning is complementary to the Buddhism from the Beginning course that follows it. Meditation will be taught during the course but for those who have the time on Saturday morning this allows for a more thorough and leisurely introduction. You can also book it as a course on its own.
Suitable for complete beginners. The morning will include sessions on posture, stress reduction, mindfulness, different approaches to meditation and establishing a regular practice. The course is free but please book as there is limit on numbers. Please book by calling 07903 667548.
Location: Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street
Programme autumn/winter 2019/20
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.
04 Sep The Fire Sermon by Julian
11 Sep The Acrobats by Alan
18 Sep Planning meeting – At which those who don’t come get volunteered for tasks 🙂
25 Sep Resilient by Ruth
9:00 to 13:00 on Saturday 28th September – Introduction to Meditation by Nigel
Suitable for complete beginners as well as those with an established meditation practice. The morning will include sessions on posture, stress reduction, mindfulness, different approaches to meditation and establishing a regular practice. In the Quaker Meeting House.
The afternoon of Saturday 28th September – Social event by Jacqui
Walk, meditation, food.
02 Oct A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism, part 1 – INTRODUCTION
09 Oct A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism, part 2 – INTRODUCTION
16 Oct A Buddhist reflection on violence and terror by Bright
23 Oct Comprehend dukkha by Nigel
30 Oct Double meditation
06 Nov Talk by Natasha
13 Nov The Pali Canon by Julian
20 Nov Buddhist economics by Bright
27 Nov Double meditation
04 Dec Right speech by Alan
11 Dec Talk by Kris
18 Dec Double meditation
25 Dec closed
01 Jan closed
08 Jan My New Year’s resolutions by Nigel
11 Jan (Saturday) Introduction to Meditation morning
15 Jan – 5 Feb Buddhism from the Beginning (introduction)
All meetings are in the Quaker Meeting House, 98-100 Crown Street – meeting details
Costs: All events in the programme are on a dana basis. This means that the costs are funded by donations but individuals decide for themselves how much they wish to contribute.
Programme summer 2019
01 May Julian Seven cardinal rules for life
08 May Nigel Stop making excuses
15 May INTRODUCTION: A very short introduction to Buddhism
22 May Alan The five precepts: loving kindness
29 May Alan The five precepts: generosity
05 Jun Nigel The five precepts: stillness, simplicity and contentment
12 Jun Nigel The five precepts: communication
19 Jun Nigel The five precepts: mindfulness
26 Jun Cliff The Metta Sutta
03 Jul Julian sutta study
10 Jul Summer break
17 Jul Summer break
24 Jul Summer break
31 Jul Summer break
07 Aug Summer break
14 Aug Double meditation
21 Aug Cliff Self Compassion
28 Aug Buddhism Badge! Visit from the Scouts
Introductory classes in summer 2019
Introduction to Meditation Sat 11th of May 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Suitable for complete beginners as well as those with an established meditation practice. The day will include sessions on posture, stress reduction, mindfulness, different approaches to meditation and establishing a regular practice.
Places are free but need to be booked as there is a limit on numbers. Please book with Nigel on 01224 705960 or 07903 667548. Please bring food to share for lunch.
A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism Wed 15th of May 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
This evening will cover introductions to both meditation and foundation Buddhist concepts. Suitable for complete beginners. People who have completed this class can come to our Regulars’ evenings. Cost is on a dana or donation basis.
Both classes are in the Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street. Details can be found here.
Programme Spring 2019
20 Feb Cliff – Finding the balance
27 Feb Julian – The Senses
06 Mar Nigel – The Brahma Viharas
13 Mar Double meditation
20 Mar Alan – Bodies
27 Mar Alan – Thoughts
03 Apr Alan – Minds
10 Apr Alan – Dhammas
17 Apr Cliff – A beginner’s guide to dependent origination
24 Apr Talk by Jonathan – to be confirmed
Introduction to Buddhism – Jan 2019
Meetings at the start of 2019 will be dedicated to an introduction to meditation and Buddhism suitable for complete beginners. We recommend these meetings for anyone who wants to come to our regular Wednesday evening group over the rest of the year.
2nd January – closed
9th January – Introduction to meditation part 1
16th January – Introduction to meditation part 2
23rd January – Introduction to Buddhism part 1
30th January – Introduction to Buddhism part 2
6th February – Practice in daily life
13th February – Discussion
All meetings are 19:30 to 21:30 in the Quaker Meeting House. More details here.
Programme – September to December 2018
05 Sep Alan – Mindfulness
12 Sep Alan – Right Speech
19 Sep Nigel – Teachings from the Forest – Ajaan Lee
26 Sep Nigel – Teachings from the Forest – Ajaan Fuang
03 Oct Talk by Julian
10 Oct Nigel – Teachings from the Forest – Ajaan Chah
17 Oct Bright – The Five Powers
24 Oct Talk by Orla
31 Oct Nigel – Teachings from the Forest – Ajaan Dune
07 Nov Alan – The Social Teachings of the Buddha
14 Nov Nigel – Teachings from Dipa Ma
21 Nov Talk by David
28 Nov Talk by Julian
05 Dec Bright – Gratitude
12 Dec Cliff – Finding the Balance
19 Dec Double meditation
26 Dec Closed
Introductory evening – summer 2018
Next introductory evening: Wednesday 29th of August 2018, 19:30 to 21:30.
A brief introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation, suitable for complete beginners.
