Next introductory evening: Wednesday 9th August 19:30 to 21:30
A brief introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation, suitable for complete beginners.
Introductions
Introductory courses April 2017
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.
Introduction to Buddhism 2017
We’re starting 2017 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.
11 Jan A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
An introduction to the basic concepts of Buddhism and to Buddhist meditation.
18 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?
25 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?
Programme autumn/winter 2016
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
Introduction to meditation: Saturday 22nd Oct; 10:00 to 13:00
Introduction to Buddhism: Wednesday 2nd Nov; 19:30 to 21:30
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.
14 Sep Nigel – everyday practice
21 Sep Autumn celebration
28 Sep Alan – ‘The Spirit Level’ – Buddhist responses to inequality
05 Oct Julian – The Four Frames of Reference
12 Oct Cliff – Rebirth
19 Oct Nigel – Swimming Against the Stream – non-craving in a consumerist culture
26 Oct Julian – Going for Refuge
02 Nov Introduction to Buddhism – see above
09 Nov Nigel – The Buddha’s meditation system – handout
16 Nov Alan – Mindfulness – handout
23 Nov Shona – Why the Breath?
30 Nov Alan – Gladdening the Mind
07 Dec Alan – Practicing the Brahma Viharas
14 Dec Alan – The mudita bhavana
21 Dec Winter celebration
28 Dec closed
4 Jan Double meditation
Introductory classes, autumn 2016
Introduction to meditation: Saturday 22nd Oct; 10:00 to 13:00
Introduction to Buddhism: Wednesday 2nd Nov; 19:30 to 21:30
All welcome. Venue details etc. are here
Programme – summer 2016
The summer programme will cover the Buddha’s teaching of the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’, one limb of the path per week. Each evening will consist of a short talk, followed by discussion. This would be a good point for beginners to start as it should make a good introduction for people not familiar with the teachings.
20 Jul View
27 Jul Resolve
03 Aug Speech
10 Aug Conduct
17 Aug Livelihood
24 Aug Effort
31 Aug Mindfulness
07 Sep Samadhi
14 Sep – talk, subject tbc
21 Sep – Autumn equinox celebration
Introductory courses 2016
20 April – Introduction to Meditation
27 April – A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
06 July – Introduction to Meditation
13 July – A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
As usual, meetings run from 19:30 to 21:30 in the Quaker Meeting House, 98-100 Crown Street, and payment is by donation. There is no need to book for the evenings.
Introductory evening 6th January
Our next introductory evening is on the 6th of January, from 7:30 to 9:30 in the Quaker Meeting House (100 Crown Street). We will teach basic meditation and our ‘Very Short Introduction to Buddhism’ course.
Attending this evening is suggested before coming to the Regulars’ group.
Programme autumn 2015
The Noble Eightfold Path
These five evenings will be mostly discussion-based, covering the main areas of Buddhist practice. They are suitable for beginners if attending from the beginning.
23 Sep – Right View, Right Intention
Meditation: Body awareness
30 Sep – Right Speech
Meditation: Mindfulness of breathing
07 Oct – Right Action
Meditation: ‘Gladdening the mind’
14 Oct – Right Livelihood, Right Effort
Meditation: Cultivation of goodwill (metta bhavana)
21 Oct – Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
Meditation: Four-stage metta bhavana
28 Oct, 4, 11, 18, 25 Nov – Buddhism in Daily Life
September meetings
Our autumn programme will begin with a brief introduction to both Buddhsim and meditation – an ideal introduction for beginners or a useful refresher for regulars.
2nd Sep: A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism
Seven key Buddhist concepts. Meditation – body-based mindfulness.
9th Sep: 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 – mindfulness of breathing.
16th Sep: 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? Meditation – mindfulness and emotion
Aberdeen Buddhist Group 