Seven Points of Mind Training

With Colin Moore

These ongoing weekly Thursday evening meetings are based on the Seven Points of Mind Training. This is a Tibetan system of practice that encourages compassion both for oneself and others. It is practical and interactive in nature, and there are weekly feedback forums.

Commentaries being used are by HH Dalai Lama and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, as well as extracts from 'Taming the Tiger' by Akong Tulku Rinpoche.

It is recommended that participants have an established meditation or contemplative practice and a wish to benefit one and all. Non-Buddhists are also welcome if they are sympathetic to the aims of the course.

If you would like to read Colin's class notes click a link. Note one — two — three — four — five — six — seven — eight — nine/ten — eleven and note number twelve

 Morning Sitting Sessions (7.15-8am): Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

With Frank Pleske

For those wishing to sit in silent meditation in a Buddhist atmosphere. If you wish to leave before the session is ended, please do so quietly. Everyone welcome.

 Teachings on Wisdom

With Geshe Lobsang Thinley

Geshe Lobsang Thinley is based at Lam Rim, Bristol, and visits the Golden Buddha Centre about once a month to give Tibetan Buddhist teachings. The sessions usually begin with a short period of meditation followed by the teachings, then a break for tea and further teachings. There is an opportunity for questions.

Sunday 20 May 2012 More information...

 The Mahasi Way of Meditation

With Bhante Bodhidhamma

Bhante Bodhidhamma teaches insight meditation (vipassana) in the tradition of the Burmese meditation teacher Mahasi Sayadaw. The Mahasi Sayadaw was a renowned teacher who began teaching vipassana insight meditation after the war near Yangon in Myanmar (Burma). He developed a series of techniques which were designed to help the meditator maintain a moment to moment awareness from the instant they woke in the morning to the instant they fell asleep at night. Directions were given for every activity so that the meditator could build up the one-pointed concentration needed for spiritual insights.

Monday 21 May 2012 More information...

 Buddhist Meditation in the Thai Forest Tradition

With Mahesi Caplan

Learn to cultivate the contemplative skills of the Thai Forest tradition.

Weekly Tuesday evening meditation sessions.

Everybody welcome.

 Stages of the Path (Lam Rim)

With Steve Palmer

These ongoing weekly Wednesday evening sessions of talks and meditations (started on Wednesday 1st February and to finish on Wednesday 6th June) focus on the Tibetan teachings of Lam Rim. The Lam Rim is a presentation of the stages to enlightenment as taught by the Buddha. There will be meditations, an opportunity for questions and discussion, followed by tea. Everyone welcome.

Steve will begin a new series of four talks on Wednesday 4th July (ending 25th July) which will explore the role of faith and practice in daily life. The emphasis will be on how these two aspects of Buddhism can bring greater meaning to our lives.

Suggested donation £5

 Buddhism of the Pali Suttas: Cultivating Loving-Kindness

With Jenny Wilks

The second in a series of three sessions exploring some key teachings and practices as recorded in the Pali Canon, the earliest record of the Buddha's teachings that has been translated into English. Each session will cover a different text so you can attend any or all of them. The sessions will be interactive, with time for questions and discussion, and a short meditation practice based on the sutta. (Links are given to the texts for those who would like to read them in advance, but this is not essential as copies will be provided.)

This session is on the short but profound Metta Sutta, 'The Discourse on Loving-Kindness', in which the Buddha describes the path of training in the cultivation of qualities of love, friendliness, and compassion which can open and heal the heart (Sutta Nipata 1.8). See link below to download this sutta.

The final talk in this series is entitled 'Faith and Doubt: How do we Evalute the Teachings?' (the Kalama Sutta) on 10 June.

Sunday 27 May 2012 More information...