Guidelines

• This is a reoccuring monthly series of full day teachings. 
• The day can be attended as a course on its own or as a part of the monthly Introduction to Buddhism series. 
• The course will also include time for Q&A and meditation. 
• Suitable for anyone wishing to gain more familiarity with the Buddhist teachings.
• Lunch will be available in our Tibetan Tearoom.

Introduction to Buddhism 

In Introduction to Buddhism series, Lama Zangmo will give an overview and understanding of the framework for the Buddhist path, covering an explanation of the three Jewels - the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. There will also be time for Q&A.

21 Jan - Four Noble Truths

This was the very first teaching the Buddha gave after he attained enlightenment. It is referred to as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma because it represents the first phase of the Buddha's teaching. It is called a wheel because it is a means for travelling the path to enlightenment in much the same way that a wheel enables a vehicle to move along a road. We will look at the following:

• The Noble Truth of Suffering
• The Noble Truth of the Causes of Suffering
• The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
• The Noble Truth of the Path that leads to the Cessation of Suffering

25 Feb - The Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path is the essence of the Middle Way, the path between the extremes of self-indulgence and denial. It contains eight interrelated aspects that make up the 'skilful living' that the Buddha taught is necessary to uproot suffering and its causes, and thus to sever the cycle of conditioned existence.

The Noble Eightfold Path comprises the three essentials of Buddhist training, ethical conduct, mental development and wisdom. (Please note that the 'right' in this instance means 'skillful and wise'.)

25 March - The Precious human life and Impermanence

This is a day of introduction to Buddhism through focusing on the preciousness of our life and impermanence. There will be time for contemplation and questions and answers. The point of meditating on the meaning of our precious human birth is so that we make use of it and we don't waste it. A precious human life in the Buddhist sense has eight freedoms and ten fortunes that give us the opportunity to practice the Dharma.

Meditating on impermanence inspires and moves one to turn to the Dharma. Meditating on impermanence while practicing the Dharma increases ones’ ability to be diligent, and enables practitioners to realize the Dharma fully.

22 April - Karma and Samsara

Karma, cause and effect should be considered in a broad way. As we are all interdependent, everything we do not only affects ourselves, our family, or people close to us, but has an effect on the whole world. It is very important, therefore, that we all take responsibility for our actions.

Considering the defects of samsara, fundamentally all beings want to be happy; no one wants to suffer. However, when we ask ourselves what real happiness is, some of the things we wish for are counterproductive. Buddhism defines true happiness as liberation from negative actions, afflictions and mental obscurations.

27 May - Entering the Buddhist Path

Taking refuge is the first formal step on the Buddhist path. This day will be an explanation of what it means to take refuge. Spiritual refuge is a protection and eventual freedom from the confusion and suffering of cyclic existence (samsara). The genuine sources of spiritual refuge are the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The ultimate refuge is our own mind, our Buddha nature.

It is because the Buddha Nature, or potential, is common to all beings that they are capable of attaining enlightenment.

For example: a stone doesn’t have the potential to produce oil, and so no matter how much you might press it and grind it—even if you use modern tools and machinery—you will never extract any oil. A sesame seed, on the other hand, does have the potential to produce oil, and by pressing it in the right way, sesame oil can and will be produced. Like that the potential for Buddhahood exists as part of our basic nature.

The day of teachings will also cover topics such as the importance of receiving refuge from an authentic and unbroken lineage of transmission, the role of faith and trust, and how to relate to the refuge ceremony itself, as well as the importance of taking refuge with the right motivation.