Programme spring/summer 2016

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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.

6th Apr             The Sangrahavastus – four things that build community
13th Apr           How to Recognise the Dhamma
20th Apr           Introduction
27th Apr           Introduction
4th May            Skilful selfishness? – the Sedaka Sutta
11th May          Into the Stream
18th May          Wesak Celebration – anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment
25th May          The Five Aggregates
1st Jun              The Seven Factors for Awakening
8th Jun             Perfect Action
15th Jun            Perfect Livelihood
22nd Jun           to be confirmed
29th Jun            to be confirmed
6th Jul              Introduction
13th July          Introduction

All meetings are in the Quaker Meeting House, 98-100 Crown Street.

 Study Group

The study group meets every other Sunday in members’ homes and studies books chosen by the group. If you would like to join the study group, please contact the group email.

 

Introductory courses 2016

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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.

 

Programme 2016 Jan-Mar

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INTRODUCTORY COURSES

Introduction to meditation and Buddhism: Wednesday 6th January 19:30 – 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.

o6 Jan   Introduction – see above
13 Jan   On Mindfulness
20 Jan   The Breath
27 Jan   The Body
03 Feb   The Mind
10 Feb   Integrated Practice

The next four weeks will be based on the book What the Buddha Thought by Richard Gombrich. The book looks at the pre-Buddhist words and imagery used by the Buddha to get his message across and what a better knowledge of them can add to our understanding of what the Buddha taught (and thought).

17 Feb   What the Buddha Thought …about nobility
24 Feb   What the Buddha Thought …about karma
02 Mar   What the Buddha Thought …about ‘not-self’
09 Mar   What the Buddha Thought …about fire
16 Mar   Buddhism and Emotion
03 Mar   to be confirmed
30 Mar   Spring celebration

All meetings are in the Quaker Meeting House, 98-100 Crown Street.

Study Group
The study group meets every other Sunday in members’ homes and studies books chosen by the group. We will be choosing a new book early in the new year. If you would like to join the study group, please contact the group email.

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 autumn 2015

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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

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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

Programme April – June 2015

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INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION

Saturday 16th ­May; 10:00 to 13:00

INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM

Thursdays 21st and 28th May, 4th June; 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.

8 Apr Alan – The Soṇadaṇḍa Sutta: on nobility

15 Apr Nigel – A question of skill

22 Apr double meditation

29 Apr Alan – The Mūlapariyāya Sutta: clinging to beliefs

6 May Wesak celebration

13 May Shona – Fate or free will?

20 May Nigel – Strength training for the mind

The next four talks form a short series on the Brahma Vihara meditations, which include the metta bhavana. Each talk and meditation will also stand on its own.

27 May ‘Gladdening the mind’

3 Jun Practising the Brahma viharas

10 Jun The mudita bhavana: sympathetic joy

17 Jun Bodhisattvas of compassion

24 Jun to be confirmed

All meetings are in the Quaker Meeting House, 98-100 Crown Street.

Study Group
The study group meets every other Sunday in members’ homes and studies books chosen by the group. During this programme we will be using ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’ by Jonathan Haidt. If you would like to join the study group, please contact the group email.