Events > Public Lectures

At The Buddhist Society 58 Eccleston Square London SW1V 1PH

We try to record all talks and make them available for purchase on CD at a cost of £7.00 from the Library Book Shop or by post at a cost of £7.80 including post and packing. We do not always hold stock of CD’s so please allow two weeks between order and delivery. Our Audio Catalogue is available at a cost of £1.00.


 

Using the Everyday Wisdom of Folklore
by Venerable Sochu
Wednesday 9 July 2008 at 6.30pm

There is a perennial wisdom that has been handed down by tradition. Ven. Sochu looks at how folklore, East and West, can give useful pointers to those following a Buddhist practice.

Venerable Sochu is the teacher in residence appointed by Venerable Myokyo-ni at Shobo-an Zen Buddhist Temple, North London.

 


Zen Brushwork
Saturday 6 September 2008 2.00 – 5.00pm

 

‘Mountain, rock, bamboo, tree, ripples in water, mist and cloud – none of these has a fixed form. But nonetheless, they all have a constant inner line. That is what must guide the mind of the painter’. Su T’ung-po (Su Shih, 1036 – 1101).

This inner line is the essence of the calligraphic tradition that the nineteenth century statesman and Zen calligrapher Yamaoka Tesshu aspired to. Senior students of the late Zen master Tanchu Terayama, visiting from Japan, will share their skills of Zen brushwork using a large brush, as well as yokiho (breathing and ki-raising exercises). This session at the Buddhist Society accompanies the exhibition ‘Zen Calligraphy and Painting of Yamaoka Tesshu’, at the V&A from 3rd September – 14th December, which is on loan from Terayama sensei’s private collection.

 
Tesshu - 'Waterfall', sumi-ink on paper, 1888 printed by kind permission of Mrs Yoh Terayama
   

 


Life in a Japanese Zen Monastery
by Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi
Wednesday 10 September 2008 at 6.30pm


Zen Temple Kyoto - Photo by Tiare Scott*

 

This talk focuses on the realities of Zen practice, for both monks and lay practitioners in Japan, and how the ancient traditions of Zen are used to deal with the pressures and problems of the contemporary world.

Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi has extensively studied both Rinzai and Soto Zen and received Dharma Transmission in both traditions. After completing his koan study, he returned from Japan last summer to undertake a takuhatsu pilgrimage - walking the length of the island of Britain relying solely on alms food. Roshi teaches and practices in London.



A ZEN LIFE - D.T. Suzuki
24th September 2008 at 6.30pm

A Zen Life - DT Suzuki"A ZEN LIFE - D.T. Suzuki" is a 77-minute prize winning documentary about Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966), credited with introducing Zen Buddhism to the West. He also embraced Jodo Shin Buddhism.

In addition to rare footage of D.T. Suzuki, there are exclusive interviews of many people who knew him in person, including Mihoko Okamura, Gary Snyder, Kemmyo T. Sato, Robert Aitken, Huston Smith, Donald Richie, and recordings of John Cage, Erich Fromm, and Thomas Merton.

The producer, Michael Goldberg, has lived in Japan 27 years. His last feature, "Haruka Naru Nami no Oto" (about prewar, foreign wives of Japanese) was aired on NHK.

The film will be introduced by Professor The Reverend Kemmyo T Sato of Three Wheels.




Buddhism at Work
The impact of the Lojong (Transforming the Mind) teachings in the workplace
by John Reacroft
Wednesday 15th October 2008 at 6.30 pm.

For over 40 years, Tibetan Lamas have been teaching westerners about Buddhism. A large number of people have studied with these teachers. Many westerners have now been exposed to the Lojong (Transforming the Mind) teachings. What effect has this had?

John Reacroft carried out post graduate research into how volunteers and staff in Tibetan Buddhist voluntary organisations have applied the Lojong teachings to problem situations in their work. The research was conducted scientifically and rigorously tested whether or not Lojong really helped. Interviewees for the research had worked in challenging situations. Their stories and some surprising outcomes will be recounted.

The talk will discuss: what Lojong is and is not; how it works; what has to be in place if it is to be of any use; and how it can sometimes fail. There will also be some unexpected advice given by HH Dalai Lama following a presentation in Glasgow in 2004 based on this research.


John Reacroft has been a student of Sogyal Rinpoche, the founder of Rigpa, since 1979. John is an Instructor in Rigpa. He recently acted as meditation instructor on programmes for lawyers given under Sogyal Rinpoche’s direction at Lincoln’s Inn. John works for Barnardo's, the children's charity, and manages their work with homeless families as well as developing policy on homeless children and on asylum seeking children.




Sacred Buildings in Buddhist Lands
by Dan Cruickshank
Wednesday 19 November 2008 at 6.30pm

Dan Cruickshank became famous in 2005 when BBC television first broadcast the series, Around the World in 80 Treasures, when he visited eighty man-made artefacts or buildings that he had selected. Now we shall hear his thoughts on Sacred Buildings in Buddhist Lands.






9th July 2008

6th September 2008

10th September 2008

24th September 2008

15th October 2008

19th November 2008