Introduction to Buddhism - Entering the Buddhist Path
Sat, 20 May
|London
This is the fifth in a series of seven teachings held monthly, on a Saturday, from January to July 2023. This course will give an overview and understanding of the framework for the Buddhist path.
Time & Location
20 May 2023, 10:00 – 15:30
London, 15 Spa Rd, London SE16 3SA, UK
About the event
This is the fifth session of a seven-part Introduction to Buddhism series.
Parts six and seven will be on the 17th June and the 15th July 2023.
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.
This day can be attended as a course on its own or as a part of the monthly Introduction to Buddhism series. The Series topics are as follows:
Session 1. Â The Four Noble Truths
Session 2. The Noble Eightfold Path
Session 3. The Precious Human Life & Impermanence
Session 4. Â Karma & Samsara
Session 5. Entering the Buddhist Path
Session 6. The Spiritual Friend
Session 7. Cultivating Boddhicitta
Each Session will also include time for Q&A and meditation.
Our Tibetan Tearoom & Shop will be serving lunch on a first come basis.
A non-refundable administration fee is needed to book a place for each session in this course.
Registration Fee
Entering the Buddhist Path
This is a non-refundable administration fee that helps the centre maintain this service for you.
£5.00+£0.13 service feeSale ended
Total
£0.00