Introductions

Introduction to Buddhism classes 2026

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This class from the Aberdeen Buddhist Group covers the core concepts of Buddhism in simple language, rooted in everyday experience. It presents a path that can be tested in your own life, without requiring blind faith in any of its teachings.

The talk includes plenty of time for questions and discussion. Along with our Introduction to meditation, it is the perfect introduction for coming to our regular Wednesday night group.

The venue is the Love Yoga studio at 42 Union Terrace. Payment is by donation – we ask for a contribution to the cost of the venue, but the amount is up to you. Please email aberdeenbuddhistgroup@yahoo.co.uk or call/text 07526 668758 to let us know if you are interested in coming.

Dates
Saturday 14th February 14:00-16:00
Sunday 29th March 14:00-16:00
Sunday 3rd May 14:00-16:00
Saturday 27th June 14:00-16:00

Meditation classes in 2026

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Introductory classes

These classes are suitable for complete beginners. They will cover ways to sit comfortably for meditation, what mindfulness really is, why we meditate and how to start. All classes are at the Love Yoga Studio at 42 Union Terrace. There is no need to bring anything except your mind and body.

Dates
Sunday 1st February 14:00-16:30
Wednesday 4th February 19:30-21:00
Sunday 1st March 14:00-16:30
Wednesday 1st April 19:30-21:00
Sunday 5th April 14:00-16:30
Saturday 9th May 14:00-16:30
Saturday 13th June 14:00-16:30

Payment is by donation – we ask for a contribution to the cost of the venue, but the amount is up to you. Please email aberdeenbuddhistgroup@yahoo.co.uk or call/text 07526 668758 to let us know if you are interested in coming.

Advanced classes and retreats

For these classes you need to have some experience of meditation already.

Sunday 22nd February 14:00-16:00 The Brahma vihara meditations

This set of meditations looks at how we can maintain a kind, constructive attitude in different situations and with different people. The talk will introduce the meditations as a whole and we will practice the first meditation in the set, the metta bhavana or cultivation of goodwill. To come to this class you need to have attended one of our Introduction to meditation classes or already be familiar with mindfulness meditation.

Saturday 18th April 13:30-17:30 Day retreat

This is for people who are familiar with at least the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana meditations. Based on the Ānāpānasati Sutta, we will look at how to link different meditations together and maintain a meditative focus for longer to achieve deeper states.

These classes are also in the Love Yoga studio.

buddha image

Introduction to meditation courses 2025

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We have a range of days, times and formats for meditation classes over the rest of the year, so hopefully there is something to suit everyone.

The two-part classes in September/October and November introduce a key meditation each afternoon. The first will look at mindfulness – what it really is and how to use it. The second introduces the metta bhavana meditation, used for building goodwill and emotional stability. The slightly longer weekend sessions cover all the essentials in one class. The Introduction to Buddhism looks at the philosophy that underpins and guides a meditation practice.

These classes will give you everything you need to come to our regular Wednesday evening meeting or to more advanced classes that we plan to run next year.

Wed 24 September 15:30 – 17:30 Introduction to mindfulness meditation
Wed 8 October 15:30 – 17:30 Meditation for kindness and happiness

Sun 19 October 14:00 – 16:30 Introduction to meditation

Fri 7 November 15:30 – 17:30 Introduction to mindfulness of breathing
Fri 14 November 15:30 – 17:30 Meditation for kindness and happiness

Sun 16 November 14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Buddhism

Sat 13 December 14:00 – 16:30 Introduction to meditation

All classes are at Love Yoga, 42 Union Terrace, Aberdeen. Cost is by donation – you choose how much to contribute. For any questions or to let us know that you plan to come, see the Contact page.

Introduction to Buddhist meditation

~ Alan Carter ~ Leave a comment

‘I teach only two things: suffering and the ending of suffering’ – the Buddha

Wednesday evenings in November at Love Yoga

While meditation apps and five-minute mindfulness are now familiar to lots of people, the Buddha’s full meditation path offers something much deeper. Starting with meditations for relaxation and focus, it builds to awareness and then transformation of the way our mind works. It is a way to become happier, kinder and saner.

This course begins with an overview of the path as a whole, then introduces simple meditation techniques and covers how to meditate comfortably and set up a regular practice. You will also meet other members of the course and the group. We aim to be an open, mutually supportive group where questioning and discussion are encouraged and people share both difficulties and experience to help one another on the path. This is followed by an introduction to the Buddha’s teachings.

The group operates on the basis of dana or generosity. We ask that attendees give a donation to help cover the costs of the venue but, in order to keep the practice available to all, the size of the donation is entirely up to you.

The course is held in the Love Yoga studio at 42 Union Terrace, Aberdeen. Sessions are from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

To book a place, please call Alan on 01224 276810 or email aberdeenbuddhistgroup@yahoo.co.uk.

06 November – Introduction to the Aberdeen Buddhist Group
13 November – The Buddha’s meditation path
20 November – Meditation practice
27 November – Introduction to Buddhism part 1
04 December – Introduction to Buddhism part 2

Programme Jan-Feb 2024

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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

An Introduction to Buddhism

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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

~ Alan Carter ~ Leave a comment
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.

Introductions to meditation and Buddhism

~ Alan Carter ~ Leave a comment

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.

Introductory meetings – summer 2022

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If you are interested in Buddhism or meditation and want a straightforward introduction with no need for any previous experience or beliefs, these courses are for you. Introduction to Meditation covers the basics of Buddhist meditation, including why we meditate, how we meditate and how to sustain a meditation practice. Buddhism in Eight Words is about the basic ideas that underlie all forms of Buddhism.

If you haven’t been to the Aberdeen Buddhist Group before and don’t have an established Buddhist practice, we ask you to come to at least one of these classes before coming to meetings on other evenings. Although the classes are free, we are taking bookings so that we don’t end up with too many people. You can use the links below to book – please remember to cancel if you can’t make it, to give someone else a chance. All meetings are from 7:30 to 9:30 pm on Wednesday evenings in the Quaker Meeting House, 98 Crown Street.

Wed 6th July – Introduction to Meditation

Wed 3rd Aug and 7th Sep – Buddhism in Eight Words

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

bodhi leaf 5 150pt