Buddhism from the Beginning 2020

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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.

Time and place

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Introduction to meditation morning

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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

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Programme autumn/winter 2019/20

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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

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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

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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.

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Introduction to Buddhism – Jan 2019

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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.

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Programme – September to December 2018

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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

Programme: May to August 2018

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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.

16 May  Nigel – The five hindrances
23 May  Alan – The Brahma Vihara meditations
30 May  Bright – Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: the discourse on not-self

06 Jun  Nigel – The five aggregates
13 Jun  Alan – Community and friendship
20 Jun  Orla – Buddhism and mental health
27 Jun  Julian – Angulimala

04 Jul  Nigel – The seven factors of awakening
11 Jul  Alan – Apollo, Dionysus and the Buddha
18 Jul  Julian – subject to be confirmed
25 Jul  Alan – Buddhist ethics in a global economy

01 Aug  Nigel – Getting to know the breath
08 Aug  Bright – Contemplating death
15 Aug  Nigel – Dhamma in daily life
22 Aug  Orla – subject to be confirmed
29 Aug  INTRODUCTION A very short introduction to Buddhism