AUGUST

7th –  Nigel – Questions are the Answer

14th –  Nigel – The Precepts

21st –  Alan – The Art of Listening

28th –  Erin – title to be confirmed

SEPTEMBER

4th –  Alison – The Presence of the Buddha

11th –  Julian – The Maha-Rahulovada Sutta

18th –  Nava – Inclusive Buddhism

25th –  Thilini – reading

OCTOBER

2nd –  Nigel – Strength Training

9th –  Alison – Mantras

16th –  Double meditation

23rd –  Alan – Ritual in Buddhism

30th –  Autumn puja

For the next 8 weeks or so, the group will be working with the new meditation guide by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, ‘With Each and Every Breath’. We have a pile of free copies for people to use and it can also be downloaded as an e-book at dhammatalks.org. It isn’t essential to have read the book as the evenings will be led, but it’s the best way to get the most out of it.

These talks build on each other, adding up to a rounded introduction to Buddhism, with the emphasis on practical application. However each talk is also meant to stand on its own and to be useful even if you can’t attend all of them.

JANUARY

Wed 9^th         How To Approach Buddhism
                        Meditation:  body awareness

Wed 16^th       The Noble Quest
                        Meditation:  body awareness

 Wed 23^rd       The Buddha’s Enlightenment
                        Meditation:  body awareness

Wed 30^th       The Four Noble Truths
                        Meditation:  mindfulness of breathing

FEBRUARY

Wed 6^th          View and Intention
                        Meditation:  mindfulness of breathing

 Wed 13^th        Speech
                        Meditation:  mindfulness of breathing

 Wed 20^th        Action
                         Meditation:  metta bhavana

Wed 27^th        Livelihood and Effort
                         Meditation:  metta bhavana

MARCH

Wed 6^th          Mindfulness and Concentration
                         Meditation:  metta bhavana

Wed 13^th        The Historical Development of Buddhism
                       Meditation:  karuna bhavana

Wed 20^th        Buddhism and Society
                       Meditation:  just sitting

Wed 27^th        The Five Hindrances

APRIL

Wed 3^RD         The ‘Meditation Roadmap’

Wed 10^th        Discussion

Download: ABG programme 2012 Apr-Jun

Theme: Different Approaches To Buddhism

25 Apr   Theravada and Mahayana on the Wheel of Life

Sometimes it is easier to understand something through a visual image. This talk by Alan uses the image of the Wheel of Life to illustrate the differences between the Theravada and Mahayana approaches to Buddhism.

02 May  Teachers and Spiritual Friends

On the idea of ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ relationships on the path of development.

09 May  Buddha Day Celebration

Saturday the 5^th of May is Wesak or Buddha Day, the traditional anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment. Julian will lead a double meditation.

16 May  The Triratna Buddhist Community

The Aberdeen Buddhist Group is currently affiliated to the Triratna Buddhist Community, also known as the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. Alan will talk about the history, organisation and teachings of the TBC.

23 May  The Thai Forest Sangha

The Thai Forest Sangha is a movement within Theravada Buddhism that seeks to get back to the original practices of the Buddhist sangha. It is now established in the West with teachers like Thanissaro Bhikkhu at the Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego County, California. Nigel will talk about the approach to Buddhism taken by this tradition.

30 May  Discussion on the Future of the Aberdeen Buddhist Group

It has been some time since the group has discussed how it is organised and what its affiliations are, to the extent that the situation has become rather vague. This discussion will help to clarify things and give everyone a chance to contribute to decisions about our future.

06 Jun    Compassion

A talk by Mhairi about this core Buddhist quality.

13 Jun    Buddhism and Helicopters

Ian will talk about an example of applying Buddhism to daily life – applying it to a job that you hate.

20 Jun    Double Meditation

27 Jun    The Four Contemplations

A talk by James.

February

 8       Julian        Persistence

15     Ian            Is Buddhism a Religion?

22     Alan          Cultivating Sangha

29     Khemaka  The Buddha’s Last Year

 March

 7       Mhairi       Happiness

14     Ian            Buddhism & Helicopters

21     Nigel          Purity of Heart

28     Julian        TBC

 April

4       Emma       Good Conditions for Practice

ABG programme 2012 Feb-Apr