Programme Jan-Feb 2024

03 Jan  Open for meditation
10 Jan  New Year’s Resolutions by Nigel
17 Jan  Practice discussion led by Alan
24 Jan  Burns and the Buddha by Alan
31 Jan  Introduction to meditation I

07 Feb  Introduction to meditation II
14 Feb  INTRODUCTION: Buddhism in Eight Words
21 Feb  Practice discussion led by Nigel
28 Feb  Talk by Lucy

Programme October – December 2023

04 Oct  The ten fetters by Alan
11 Oct  More on meditation by Nigel
18 Oct  Practice discussion led by Alan
25 Oct  Monastic vows by Lucy

01 Nov  Seven factors for awakening by Nigel
08 Nov  Friendship and community by Alan
15 Nov  Practice discussion led by Nigel
22 Nov  Talk by Alan
29 Nov  Talk by Lucy

06 Dec  Buddhism for eight year olds by Alan
13 Dec  Practice discussion led by Nigel
20 Dec  Birds, boats and Buddhism by Chris
27 Dec  CLOSED

An Introduction to Buddhism

What did the Buddha teach and can it still help our lives today?

This short series of talks introduces Buddhism as a practical, testable path, aimed at improving and even completely transforming our lives. Each meeting will consist of a short introduction to meditation followed by a talk.

13 September Buddhism in Eight Words
An introduction to key concepts in Buddhism

20 September Schools and Sources
The diversity of Buddhist schools and text can be bewildering. What do we need to know and what do we not? Is there a common thread that unites the different schools?

27 September The Social Teachings of the Buddha
The Buddha is often thought of as the teacher of a purely personal path of transformation, but he had a lot to say about the organisation of society too. This talk introduces this neglected aspect of Buddhism.

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street
Times: 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Cost by donation.

All welcome – no need to book.

An introduction to Buddhist meditation

buddha image

Change Your Mind

An introduction to simple meditation techniques, how to sit comfortably for meditation and how to set up and sustain a regular practice. With members of the Aberdeen Buddhist Group.

Saturday 9th September, 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street (next to Shirlaw’s Motorcycles)

Free of cost

Place are limited – to book a place call Nigel on 07903 667548.

Introductory talk: Skillful speech

An evening of Buddhist practice suitable for complete beginners.

The first part of the evening introduces mindfulness meditation.

In Buddhism, mindfulness is always applied. One important area of practice is our speech, which both affects and reflects our state of mind. The second part of the evening looks at the Buddha’s teaching on how to make our speech a daily part of our practice to become more mindful and less self-deluding.

Wednesday 7th June 19:30 – 21:30, Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street

May-June 2023 meetings

03 May  Sutta study Samyutta Nikaya 53:11 by Julian
10 May  Four Noble Truths by Nigel
17 May  The Gradual Training by Nigel
24 May  The Acrobats by Alan
31 May  The Ten Perfections by Lucy

07 June Right Speech by Alan
14 June Talk by Nigel
21 June Practice discussion
28 June Memorial for Barbara

Spring 2023 meetings

01 Feb  INTRODUCTION: Buddhism in Eight Words by Alan
08 Feb  INTRODUCTION: The Four Noble Truths by Nigel
15 Feb  Practice discussion
22 Feb  Sutta study by Julian

01 Mar  Dealing with physical pain by Alan
08 Mar  Sutta study by Julian
15 Mar  Practice discussion
22 Mar  Right Speech by Alan
29 Mar  Metta by Nigel

05 Apr  To be arranged
12 Apr  One thing – thought by Nigel
19 Apr  Practice discussion
26 Apr  Sutta study by Julian

Introductions to meditation and Buddhism

We’ll be starting the year with a comprehensive introduction to both meditation and Buddhist teachings, so if your New Year’s resolution is to start or improve a meditation practice, now is the perfect opportunity. All classes are suitable for beginners and, while we recommend coming to all of them if you can, each one of them stands on its own.

4 Jan – Meditation posture
Sitting comfortably.

11 Jan – How daily life feeds into meditation
Meditation and daily life both affect each other.

18 Jan – What to do immediately before and after meditation
Preparation and post-meditation.

25 Jan – Working during meditation.
Good meditation is not a fixed practice. Learn the skill of adapting your meditation as you go along.

1 Feb – Buddhism in Eight Words
An introduction to basic Buddhist concepts.

8 Feb – The Four Noble Truths
More on this key teaching.

All meetings are Wednesday 19:30 – 21:30 in the Quaker Meeting House, 100 Crown Street. Like all our meeting, payment is by donation.