Wednesday Dharma Night in person only
The evening takes place in two halves. In the first half, we explore one of two Buddhist meditations. After a short tea break, we will introduce another aspect of Buddhism with an opportunity for discussion.
Classes are free but your donations are greatly appreciated. Make an online donation here
Meditation
We teach two Buddhist meditation practices: Mindfulness of Breathing, for developing awareness, integration and clarity of mind; and Mettā Bhāvanā (“development of loving kindness”), which brings about a gentle but radical transformation of our emotional world. Each week we alternate between the two practices.
Talks
We introduce traditional teachings of the Buddha in a way that is accessible and practical to everyday life in the modern world. Usually the format is a talk, followed by breaking into smaller groups for discussion.
Programme
the five prajñas
| Date | Meditation | Title | Facilitator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 August 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Summer Practice Evening | |
| 30 August 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Summer Practice Evening | |
| 6 September 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | An overview and introduction to the Five Prajñās | Āryasāra |
| 13 September 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Locana - Water and Mirror-like Wisdom | Āryasāra |
| 20 September 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Locana appears | |
| 27 September 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Locana pūjā - Jas send off | Āryasāra |
| 4 October 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Mamaki - Earth and the Wisdom of Equality | Śraddhādāsa |
| 11 October 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Cyberloka Book launch | Prajñaketu - Āryasāra |
| 18 October 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Dr Ambedkar and conversion of the Dalits | Āryasāra |
| 25 October 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Mamaki pūjā | Āryasāra |
| 1 November 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Pandaravasini | Śraddhādāsa |
| 8 November 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Pandaravasini appears | Āryasāra |
| 15 November 2023 | Mettā Bhāvanā | Pandaravasini pūjā - Saraṇālokā (Ex Jas) welcome back | Āryasāra |
| 22 November 2023 | Mindfulness of Breathing | Tārā - Air and all-accomplishing Wisdom | Āryasāra |
| 29 November | Mettā Bhāvanā | Tārā appears | Śraddhādāsa |
| 6 December | Mindfulness of Breathing | Tārā pūjā | Katrina |
| 13 December | Mettā Bhāvanā | Akasadhatesvari - Space and the Dharmadhatu Wisdom | Āryasāra |
| 20 December | Mindfulness of Breathing | Akasadhatesvari appears | Āryasāra |
| 27 December | Mettā Bhāvanā | Akasadhatesvari pūjā | Āryasāra |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Buddhist?
No, the class is suitable for everyone who wants to meditate or learn about Buddhism.
What should I wear?
There are no special requirements, just whatever is comfortable to sit in.
Do I need to book?
No - just turn up!
Is it okay to join in the middle of the series?
Absolutely. Though of course you'll get those most out of the class by attending the whole series, there's no need to wait until the start of the next series if you want to start coming.
Can I just come for the meditation?
Of course, though the meditation we teach is itself a Buddhist teaching.
How much does the class cost?
We don't charge for our classes, and the team are not paid for their time. We simply ask that those who are able to do so make a donation to the centre to help us cover our running costs.
The suggested amount, based on how many people come and how much it costs to run the centre, would be what you would pay for say a Yoga class, but this is not a fixed cost and everyone is equally welcome, even if you cannot give anything at all.