Classes

Discovering Buddhism

Awakening all limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness

Discovering Buddhism is a basic study programme in 13 modules, devised by the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. The course is intended to give a solid foundation in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. Rather than a mere academic study, the course emphasises experience and practice. The course will comprise of discussion, meditation and exposition. Be prepared to be actively engaged.

• Module 9: Wisdom of Emptiness   »

  Understanding and eventually directly realizing emptiness is essential in order to overcome our fundamental ignorance and attain liberation and enlightenment. This course is an introduction to emptiness and the cultivation of the wisdom that realizes it. It feels as if we exist separately and independently from everything else whereas in fact there is nothing at all in the whole universe that exists independently because everything that exists depends on other things.

  
  

  In this module we will be exploring this very profound subject, which is key to understanding and practicing the wisdom aspect of the path, through presentation and discussion. We will also be looking at different methods of meditating on emptiness, and how to integrate this with our daily lives. Suitable for beginners and more experienced students alike. Everyone is welcome.

  
  

  Dates: Wednesdays, April 11, 25 May 9, 23, June 6, 20, July 4

  
  

  Retreat Day Sunday 15th July

  11am - 4pm at Laurel Farm

  
  

  Suggested Donation £5. Please bring some food for a shared lunch.

   

Read more about Discovering Buddhism:

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Foundation of Buddhist Thought discussion group

The Foundation of Buddhist Thought is a six-module course created by Geshe Tashi Tsering of Jamyang London, part of the core education programme of the FPMT, comprising:

The Four Noble Truths, The Two Truths, Buddhist Psychology, Bodhicitta, Emptiness, Tantra

Each module has a course book, MP3 recordings of Geshe Tashi's teachings, guided meditations and discussion questions, which we will use as a focus for our discussions. We ask that you have a good understanding of basic Buddhist concepts before you start and that you prepare for each class beforehand (reading, listening and meditating). The course is quite relaxed, and there will be at least one FPMT registered teacher of FBT at each session.

Besides a donation towards the hire of the hall, you will need to buy the course books and the MP3 recordings.

Phone Kay or Gordon for more details 01225 310412.

• Module 2: Relative Truth, Ultimate truth   »

  There is a disparity between how things appear to us and how they actually exist, and it is that gap between appearance and reality that trips us every time, in everything we do, causing us to mistake the object and so develop negative minds towards it: attachment, aversion and so forth. This is why the two truths, conventional truth and ultimate truth, is considered one of the most crucial topics in Tibetan Buddhism. In his book, Geshe Tashi looks at the way the different Buddhist philosophical schools view the two truths and the increasing subtlety of those views, each taking us closer to the ultimate understanding of how things exist.

  
  

  On the surface, the two truths might seem divorced from life, but until we can see to what degree the life we live is a fantasy, we will forever make mistakes and create suffering for ourselves and others.

  
  

  Dates: Wednesdays, April 18; May 2, 16, 30; June 13, 27 and continuing.

  We will start module 3, Buddhist Psychology, when we have finished module 2.

Read more about the Foundation of Buddhist Thought

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