Introduction to Zen Class

Monday evenings 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm

(Members only)

Newcomers to the class are invited to attend the Monday class where they will be given instruction in Sila or Daily Life Practice and in Zazen.
Having made our acquaintance with the Buddha's teachings, we may feel inspired to try and follow them; for that it is advisable to work within one of the traditional training schools. The Introduction to Zen class is for those interested in learning about the Zen Way, and covers the fundamentals of Rinzai Zen training.
Each class includes a talk on some specific point of Zen practice, and in this way participants become familiar with the sayings and stories of the old Zen masters. Participants are introduced to the essentials of the quiet sitting practice (zazen) and are given guidelines for practising at home. (Being unable to sit cross-legged on a cushion is not a problem, because zazen can equally well be done sitting in a chair.) Participants are also given suggestions for practice in their daily lives, and are helped to discover for themselves how to practice Zen in their ordinary day-to-day activities. In the regular practice discussion periods, there are opportunities to discuss any difficulties, and to learn from each other's experience how these difficulties may be overcome. The class ends with a short period of formal meditation and chanting.
Once students have shown that they have settled into the Daily Life Practice, which includes a practical understanding of 'giving myself wholeheartedly into whatever activity is being done at this moment', as well as working with the klesas (passions), they will then be invited to join the main zazen group that meets on Tuesday and Friday at the Buddhist Society.
The class is run by senior students of the Venerable Myokyo-ni, and when settled in to the practice, participants may, if they so wish, deepen their commitment to the training by attending Venerable Myokyo-ni's Zen class.

Last Class of Term 10 Dec
First Class of Term 7 Jan

The Zazen Class

Tuesday and Friday evenings 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm

(Members only)

Although the Zen School is known as the meditation school, this does not mean that sitting meditation is its only practice. The greater part of our life is not spent on a cushion but rather in the ordinary activities of daily life; therefore it is in this ordinary life that Buddhist practice is developed.
Here students learn that the practice in daily life (Sila practice within the Five Precepts and the Four Great Efforts) is a long process of gradual refinement and that the insights that arise during the course of the practice must be applied to one's own life. All students are required to commit themselves to a least one hour's zazen a day and to regular attendance at the classes.
With the establishment of the daily life practice and regular zazen, a one-pointed concentration will develop. Once this has happened, students will be given themes for meditation and they will be encouraged to attend regular interviews with the teacher, who will check their insight.
These insights reveal to the student the depth of wisdom of the Buddhist canon and what it means to live the Noble Life of a human being. This practice is a process of transformation taking us from wherever we are to the realization that 'All beings are fully endowed with the Tathagata's Wisdom and Strength.'
With the transformation of the klesas, it can be seen that they, after all, are the Buddha-nature. With this realization comes the development of the Four Brahmaviharas of good will, compassion, sympathetic joy and serenity; a peace at heart and a willingness to assist others; reconciliation to the fact that this life is one of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, light and dark, all of which is subject to change, just as the Buddha taught 2,500.

Last Class of Term (Tuesdays) 11 Dec
Last Class of Term (Fridays) 14 Dec
First Class of Term (Tuesdays) 8 Jan
First Class of Term (Fridays) 11 Jan

A drawing of Venerable Myokyo-ni that Roberta Mansell did for the memorial service is currently being printed and will soon be available. Details to be announced.

Drawing of Ven Myokyo-ni

Theravada Buddhism

Monday evenings at 6.30 p.m.

(Members only)

Those attending are encouraged to arrive shortly after 6.00 to meet with the teacher and ask questions, etc.

The Class will be led by senior nuns from Amaravati Monastic Community.

The main focus of the classes will be an exploration of the Theravada teachings with particular emphasis on their application in daily life. There will be opportunities for formal meditation (with instruction), determining the Five Precepts, and a short talk and/or questions and discussion.

Tibetan Class

(Open to non-members)

Public Talk on Wednesday 11th June 2008 at 6.30 pm.

Sorting Out The Selfish Mind

by Venerable Tsuiltrim Tenzin Choesang

Basic meditation class

Thursday at 6.00 pm and 7.10 p.m.

(Members only)

On 8th November 2007 Ajahn Karuniko from Chithurst monastery will take the class.
On 13 Dec Ajahn Candasiri from Amaravati Monastery will take the class.

Visiting Guest Teachers: The class welcomes visiting teachers: please telephone the Society for details.

Based on the practice of mindfulness as taught by the Buddha, this class meets every Thursday in the Lecture Hall at the Society. Classes run continuously throughout the year, except during holiday closing periods.

All members of the Society are welcome to attend. The class usually has a good balance of experienced meditators and complete beginners. There are no entry requirements other than an open mind. However some prior knowledge of the Buddha's teachings can help clarify whatever one may experience in meditation. Also the focus of the class is very much on meditation as an integral part of the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path - not as an occasional hobby! So intending meditators are recommended to attend the Introducing Buddhism course, or read a good introductory book such as Ven. Dr.Walpola Rahula's What the Buddha Taught (Gordon Fraser, ISBN 0 900406 02 X)

Through meditation one gains direct, first hand understanding of the way things are, so reading many books on meditation is not particularly necessary: subject to availability all class members receive a free copy of Introduction to Insight Meditation (Amaravati Publications, ISBN 187020503 0)

The class is led by Colin Ash, and periodically by a monk or nun from Amaravati or Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries. At other times the class welcomes visiting teachers from a variety of different Buddhist traditions.

Newcomers are asked to come to the 6pm meeting.

Last Class of Term 13 Dec
First Class of Term 10 Jan

Pure Land class

Monthly on Sundays at 2-4 p.m.

Dates for 2007: 22nd July, 16th September, 9th December

Dates for 2008: 17 February, 9 March, 15 June, 27 July, 21 September, 19 October, 16 November

(Open to non-members)

Professor Kemmyo Taira Sato of the Three Wheels temple will give monthly lectures on the "Shoshinge", an essential part of the "Kyogyoshinsho," the main writing by Shinran (1173-1262), founder of Shin Buddhism. In their daily service Shin Buddhist followers chant the "Shoshinge," a 'gatha' that covers both the history and philosophy of Pure Land Buddhism.

Last Class of Term 9 Dec

Saturday Meditation Class

Saturdays at 3 pm & 4.45pm

(Open to non-members)

The Saturday Basic Meditation Class is long established, and was run for several years by George Rasell whose set up is continued by senior members of the class. It meets at 3.00 p.m. on Saturdays (except on special Buddhist Society days) in the Lecture Hall, newcomers being at first introduced to proceedings in the Shrine Room.

The first sitting in basic meditation runs from 3.00 until 3.25, followed by a five minute period of walking meditation, Whoever is in the chair for the day then reads material from any of the Buddhist traditions for ten minutes, followed by another basic meditation for 20 minutes until 4.00 p.m. The gong is used to mark beginning and end of sessions, and we light two candles and normally use incense, but except for special occasions, do
not normally chant.

The class is very informal and open to anyone, as it gives a first taste to people who want to know about Buddhism and some of its practices. Between 4 00 and 4.45 p.m. those who wish can visit the Library, or the basement kitchen or both, where they can discuss, question or remain silent. Some of the Dharma exchanges here can be very positive and informative. Between 4.45 and 5.35 there is a second sitting, again in the Lecture Hall, which is uninterrupted, and frequently attracts a good number of people.

Last Class of Term 15 Dec
First Class of Term 12 Jan

Zen Sundays

Sundays 11am - 3:30pm

2007 Dates: 21 October, 18 November, 16th December.

2008 Dates: 20 January, 17 February, 16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 15 June, 27 July, 21 September, 19 October, 16 November, 14 December.

(Open to non-members)

Zen Sundays continue under the guidance of the Venerable Myokyo-ni.

Everyone is welcome. Please bring sandwiches.

Last Class of Term 16 Dec

Meditation Sundays

Sundays 10am - 5pm

Bhikku Bodhidharma June 8th 2008

(Open to non-members)

A day of practice in the Theravada tradition.

Everyone is welcome. Please bring sandwiches

Further dates to be announced. 

Lunchtime Meditations

Thursdays 12.40 pm - 1.20 pm

(Open to non-members)

Led by the Venerable Sochu, this class is for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. The forty minute session covers a short talk on meditation plus thirty minutes meditation. If required instruction will be given on breathing and posture.

Last Class of Term 13 Dec
First Class of Term 10 Jan