SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER 2019
I rejoice with delight In the good done by all beings, Through which they obtain rest With the end of suffering. May those who have suffered be happy!
— From the Sevenfold Puja
E M O C L WE A glance over the major events of the last ten years makes for difficult reading: the Haiti earthquake, Grenfell Tower, millions fleeing conflict, ‘fake news’, polarised societies and terrorism in major cities across the world, our own included. There are acts of kindness and courage that don’t make the headlines of course, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that ours is a suffering world. This is no contemporary problem. 2,500 years ago, in a world very different from our own, the Buddha founded his teaching on the timeless truth of suffering. He then communicated the path of practice that had led him beyond this world of pain and which had, paradoxically, compelled him to re-engage with it from a new compassionate perspective. In the pages that follow, you’ll hear from people involved in this same paradox of withdrawal and engagement in the midst of London life. Then, from page 19, our programme for September to December will detail all the events you can take part in at the London Buddhist Centre before the decade is out.
London Buddhist Centre 51 Roman Road Bethnal Green London E2 0HU contact@lbc.org.uk + 44 (0)20 8981 1225 www.lbc.org.uk
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S T S I H D BUD AT WORK
l of ddha’s idea u l B e th t u o nding ethica te Living x e s n a e ry ood m Right Livelih ur work. In contempora to o e awareness t ideal can b ys. a th g in s ti c London, pra number of different wa a n expressed in don Buddhists reflect o on Here a few L ip to work. sh their relation
hist to find Sujhayini e as a Budd m r fo l nt ta or . I’m a menta It’s imp ith the world w ge ga en a way to ess charity in r for a homel health worke people from d so I meet an on d n Lo Central ho have led d beyond, w an K U e th ll me their all over ey want to te Th . es liv le find the incredib d try to help an n te lis I – stories ge, but it’s It’s a privile . em th ’t in g ’t meanin ffering. I don ffering. I don u e a lot of su s f se I o – t g lo t in d a ou with I see long deman e it this long e done it this ’v could’ve don ld I u k o in c th I a. k n va thin e Metta Bha the Metta practising th t practising
withou Bhavana.
g that do somethin I wanted to as y positive in was ethicall d possible an s a s y a w y man have a fforts would e y m re e h w ct. tangible effe 2
Michael g that was do somethin I wanted to any ways as itive in as m would have ethically pos e my efforts er h w d an le possib ined a few Last year I jo . ct fe ef le b a tangi abandoned ken over an ta d ha o h w ow food others Haringey. I gr in y l er rs nu l counci scheme. Loca to a veg box it ll se d an em there and they se e to help us ith w , od people com fo h ecting wit n n co y. – it y to enjo r communit others in thei h it w d an s nature k but there’ practical wor It’s simple, t that. ite rich abou something qu
The spiritual ideal helped me to make sense of the interests I had in the studio as well as amplifying the compassionate motivation behind the art therapy.
Steph There was a large mound beside the house I grew up in. I used to stand on it and imagine addressing large crowds with impassioned speeches against the world’s injustices! I still feel the urge to be at the front-line of the protest… I’ve worked as an Occupation Therapist for ten years, currently with adults with learning disabilities, helping them learn important life skills. I love it. On retreat last year I finally realised ‘Oh yeah, I do actually do something altruistic in the world!’ I’d completely underestimated the impact of my work.
On retreat last year I finally realised ‘Oh yeah, I do actually do something altruistic in the world!’.
If you’re interested in exploring Buddhist perspectives on social issues of the day, the ‘Transforming Self and World’ class is on the last Saturday morning of each month (see p.27, p.31 and p.37). 3
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Mark I’m an artist and an art therapist. I was excited when I first came to the LBC. The spiritual ideal I found there helped me to make sense of the interests I had in the studio as well as amplifying the spirit of compassion behind art therapy. At the time I was using a particular process to make artwork but I hadn’t managed to find a ‘voice’ with it. Buddhist practice gave me one – gave form to something I’d been trying to express for some time.
lotus that Because the e water blooms in th n it comes withers whe fire is the near to fire, s. y of the lotu dread enem
that Yet the lotus the midst blooms from comes all of flames be autiful and the more be nearer the fragrant the fire rages. uin — Hak
zily and ears lived la y d re d n u h a ay lived Better than one single d is y rg e n e r ed. with inferio d and fortifi e s u ro a y da rg with ene Dhammapa — From the
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
e ger; overcom n -a n o n y b e angry erly Overcome th ome the mis rc e v O . d o o ith g truth. the wicked w r of lies with e ll te e th da , g by givin Dhammapa — From the
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TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD by Suryagupta Suryagupta, the Chair of the London Buddhist Centre, tests the Buddha’s teaching on suffering, where suffering comes from and how we can best respond. Imagine this… You’re standing on a riverbank when you see, floating downstream towards you, a drowning baby. You wade in and rescue it, but as you are placing it on the riverbank you see another two babies in the water. You jump back in and save them too. ‘Strange’, you think, ‘What’s happening?’. But, even as you have the thought, four more babies are rushing downstream. You just about manage to cradle them all in your arms but then you see eight more and you realise that you cannot do this alone. You also realise that you need to discover what on earth is happening upstream. It’s a dilemma: do you continue to rescue what babies you can, or climb out to seek the source of the problem and attempt to bring it to an end? I heard this rather strange story from Subhuti, the LBC’s President, who in turn had heard it from Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Non-Violent Communication. It’s a good illustration of two divergent responses to suffering. We can respond to the symptoms, offering support to the individuals or groups Many of my questions have who are suffering, or we can seek its causes crystallised in a single dilemma: then help others to do the same. We may decide that we need to do both, but that how should I use my energies, further questions – when should we resources and skills to have the prompts turn our attention to the causes and what most positive effect both on happens in the meantime to those suffering myself and others? from the effects? Many times I’ve been faced with questions of this kind. Generally, they have crystallised in a single dilemma – how should I use my energies, resources and skills to have the most positive effect both on myself and others? 6
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019 Before I discovered Buddhism, I had trained in law and then transitioned to working with marginalised groups. Although I was passionate about my work, I frequently came up against my limitations. I would feel angry and despondent at all the painful stories I encountered but this certainly didn’t help me to do my job. In addition, having grown up amid poverty and racism, I felt encumbered by a sense of injustice, insecurity and a lack of selfconfidence. I knew that to have a positive effect on the world I would have to be in better shape myself – emotionally, ethically and spiritually. Though I looked for role models I only saw experienced colleagues grow hardened to the suffering they encountered, become overwhelmed, or burn out within unhelpful organisational cultures. So how could I respond skilfully to suffering whilst cultivating joy and contentment in my own life? I was now firmly on a search for a more energised, inspiring and clear-sighted way of dealing with my own suffering and the sufferings of the world. Soon after becoming a Buddhist, I encountered the Bodhisattva Ideal – a vision of a life dedicated to alleviating suffering on an entirely different basis. A Bodhisattva has transformed his or her 7
mind so that they can be a force for good in the world, unrestrained by negative emotion. It may be hard to conceive of a life without fear, anger, pride, resentment or guilt, but it caught my imagination.
Sangharakshita and Dhardo Rinpoche © Clear Vision Trust
But I needed exemplars, so I surrounded myself with others practising this same ideal – people I could learn from and look up to. Though I never met him, one of my greatest inspirations was Dhardo Rinpoche, a Tibetan lama who was a close friend and teacher of my own teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita. Sangharakshita considered Rinpoche to be a living Bodhisattva, so clearly did he express qualities of resourcefulness, joy and deep love in the midst of suffering and despair. Responding tirelessly to the refugees from the Chinese invasion of Tibet, Rinpoche set up a school and an orphanage in Northeast India. Every day, he spent the first few hours meditating before emerging to engage wholeheartedly with the children, teachers and everyone else who looked to him for help and inspiration.
Dhardo Rinpoche and others like him made me recognise that relating to suffering on its own level was not enough. I needed a bigger perspective, an insight into its cause, an enquiry that would lead me right to the heart of humanity. Societal structures, laws and cultures have a major impact on human lives, as history shows. However, I sensed that merely reorganising society couldn’t solve all our problems – the source of suffering lay in Societal structures, laws and the mind itself. So I began to ask, ‘What is cultures have a major impact on really going on? Why does suffering arise again and again in different forms across time?’ human lives, as history shows.
However, I sensed that merely reorganising society couldn’t solve all our problems – the source of suffering lay in the mind itself.
The Buddha asserts that the roots of suffering are greed, hatred and delusion. To uproot them completely is to attain the ultimate freedom of Enlightenment. I remember being amazed by the apparent simplicity of this 8
I set about testing this teaching. Whenever difficult situations arose in my life, when I found myself in an argument with a friend or caught up in worry about a family situation, I asked myself, ‘Where is the greed, hatred or delusion in this?’ Gradually, I realised that negative emotions – and reactive responses like ‘fight or flight’ – created suffering. It was humbling to see how my own negativity and low confidence were adding to the mix. Eventually I saw that, in widely different circumstances, I experienced very similar patterns of feeling, thought and behaviour. I also saw that I held, often unconsciously, certain views about how things should be and that these were influencing my reactions. As I saw how these processes created suffering in my own life, I understood better how they unfolded for others too – within groups, or even on a global scale. Meditation is key in this exploration. Only with a relaxed and positive mind can we see what is really going on. Without this foundation I found that my own reactivity and unconscious views would lead to over-simplified solutions, often based in blame or a lack of empathy with other perspectives.
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
answer. There was no blame, no pitching of one group of people, or set of theories, against another; no structural analysis of society; no complicated psychological unpicking. I didn’t have to believe what the Buddha taught without testing his teachings against my own experience. If I could see that greed, hatred and delusion subsided through practice, and were replaced by contentment, love and clarity then I would know that the teaching was true, he said.
Gradually, I have felt an ever-stronger need to look inward and contemplate. I want to consider the teachings of the Buddha more deeply, to meditate and to untangle myself from the roots of greed, hatred and delusion. Paradoxically, as a result of this inward journey, I have felt even more of a desire to engage with the suffering in the world. I feel more resilient and more able to respond to challenges with creativity, sensitivity and clarity. As chair of the London Buddhist Centre I have plenty of opportunity to respond to others. People come to the centre for many different reasons. Some are on a determined search for the truth; others seek a happier, healthier way to live. Many are committed to alleviating suffering through their work; for them the centre is a crucial support, providing a wise perspective, making their efforts more sustainable and positive. All these reasons are valid, all pull in the same direction, and all contribute to a vibrant spiritual community that I feel inspired to be a part of. A few weeks a year, I work as an advisor to leaders from across the world who are addressing social and economic inequality. Consequently, I am thrown briefly into a microcosm of the world’s problems and I’m frequently moved by the leaders’ courage in the face of adverse and complex situations. This work helps me stay in touch with the scale and the specifics of the suffering that people face. I aim to provide an important reminder for these busy and 10
engaged people that transformation needs to start with themselves – that they can create positive change in the world not only by what they do, but by who they become.
So, back into the river… What will you do when you see the great host of suffering, borne towards you on the current? Will you be dragged under? Will you meet it on its own terms? Or will you embark on the quest upstream to find the source? The Buddha tells us that mind is the source of all suffering, in our own lives and throughout the universe. Yet the mind is also the potential source of a freedom that we sense must be there if only we had the courage to follow it. The inward journey to understand the nature of mind and its potential requires immense effort and dedication – greed, hatred and delusion can take a whole lifetime, perhaps several, to transform. Yet it is important not to forget why it is that you’re making the trip upstream in the first place. Can you avert your eyes to suffering as you walk peacefully in the opposite direction along the bank? Bodhisattvas seek Enlightenment, but they do so ‘for the benefit of all beings’. They transform their minds not just for their own sakes, but also to help others through their generosity, clarity and energy. They relieve suffering without generating more. When should I look inward and when should I reach out? This is a tension that has only grown stronger the more I have practised, yet it is a creative one, pulling me now one way, now the other, but keeping me on the track of a life that feels truly fulfilling. I don’t know how it will resolve, but the only way to find out is to follow wholeheartedly the twin quest of transforming self and world.
Suryagupta teaches on Monday evenings at the LBC (see Dharma Night, p.20). Also, she is leading a ‘Meditation Toolkit’ from September 2nd (see p.22) as well as co-leading ‘The Journey and the Guide’ from October 30th (see p.32) and the LBC’s big Winter Retreat (see p.39).
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
People come to the LBC for many different reasons. Some are on a determined search for the truth; others seek a happier, healthier way to live. Many are committed to alleviating suffering through their work. All these reasons are valid, all pull in the same direction.
much Call forth as of love, of as you can of faith! respect and obstructing Remove the , and clear defilements r taints! away all you
Perfect Listen to the e gentle Wisdom of th ught for the Buddhas, ta world, for weal of the s intended! heroic spirit
Ratnaguna— From the tha Samcayaga
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
THE UNSEE
N FLOWER
It is an emotion. th re o m r fa is Compassion at springs something th you hich is when w s s e n ti p Up in the em not there, yourself are t it. ything abou n a w o n k t o do n So that you t it ything abou n a s w o n k ct, Nobody, in fa assion); ot be Comp n ld u o w it , it (If they knew only smell But they can wer e unseen flo th f o t n e c s The oid. eart of the V H e th in s kshita That bloom — Sanghara
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OP T S ’ S A N A PR A J N A M IN G S I T C A R P R T I P S FO IN T H E C IT Y tion practice edita g up your m in p e e k m o en… Apart fr treat? Well th re n o g in o g and
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8 6 ht an early nig lf e rs u o y e Giv y and it . It’s not sex k e e w a e c t it n o r friends, bu u o y s s re p won’t im it! d you know n a e s n e s s make l will help. A good nove g in For me, livin . s d n ie fr e k Ma the best y has been it n u m m o c a is. way to do th
– SAT 21 SEP
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AT E R T E R N A you THE URB e’ll support
eat. W retreat, fe into a retr li r u o y nt day-long f e o il k s e a e , w s a g s, in Turn Dharma talk itation morn , d s e e s m s e la c iv s g n , evenin with inte meditations g in rn o m y a weekd ti essages. a, Garavava y m a t d x a te n a d n Jn a i, yoga haman dramati, Ma a h b u S y b d Le anas. al. and Prajnam e is essenti n li . n o g in k oo information re o m r fo FREE but b 4 p.2 gramme on See the Pro 15
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
e under said w fo r u O . h rt Go fo cities t centres in is h d d u B e v ha the ies are where it ‘c e s u a c e b to But we need people are’. o t a city is als a th r e b m e rem and oney, status m f o s u x e n a own if ill grind us d e in power that w clear purpos a p e e k ’t n we do y but n be in a cit a c u o y If . d min e free to it, you’ll b ll ra th in t o n d help nd grow, an to develop a e same. others do th
A DEEPER CONNECTION by Sanghasiha
Sanghasiha reflects on the flowing current of events that have led him into a closer relationship with the natural world and generated the impulse to protect it.
It was 1997 and I was in love with a beautiful actor. She lived in Trondheim in ‘the middle north’ on the west coast of Norway. We saw a fair bit of each other as I was a long-haul airline pilot in those days and qualified for heavily discounted tickets for me and mine to travel almost anywhere in the world. I had also fallen in love with Norway and its friluftsliv (‘open air life’), a word encapsulating what was for me a whole new way of engaging with nature and the outdoor life.
According to Naess, ‘Deep ecology begins and ends with wonder – profound wonder. On that account we ought to consider life, indeed our very existence, as a flowing current. And it is the emotions that set a life in motion. Emotions stimulate you on your way through life and provide the impulse for action and changes of attitude.’ These words led to a realisation involving my whole being. When I encountered the Dharma some years later, this sense of wonder deepened and expanded. That impulse for action and change of attitude
My taste of the friluftsliv led me to discover the writing of Arne Naess and the philosophy of deep ecology. Deep ecology is founded on the belief that we must radically change our relationship to nature from an exploitative one to one that recognises that nature has its own inherent value. This transformation involves not just an intellectual understanding but also an emotional awakening.
A sense of wonder, a cultivation of the positive emotions and a deep appreciation of our beautiful and constantly surprising world can determine a better future for generations to come. 16
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019 meant paying attention to my ethical behaviour and the effect my actions have on the environment. Learning to meditate has had a profound influence on me and my appreciation of the solidarity of all life. Ritual and devotional practice has gathered my emotions behind an ideal and given a greater meaning to my efforts.
a deep appreciation of our beautiful and constantly surprising world can determine a better future for generations to come. On a solitary retreat a couple of years ago, I chanced upon a kestrel hovering in the wind above the edge of a cliff on the Dorset coast. We surprised each other and although our eye contact was only for a moment, it seemed much longer, staring into the eyes of that wild creature. In that meeting I experienced a profound sense of connection, not just with the bird, but with the whole universe. It is this sense of connection that sets my life in motion and gives it meaning. ď Ž
Both the philosophy of deep ecology and the wisdom of the Dharma can help us respond to and transcend a reaction of denial or feelings of despair that can arise when we consider the environmental crisis that we face. I believe that a sense of wonder, a cultivation of the positive emotions and
Sanghasiha teaches on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday lunchtimes at the LBC. He also leads Deep Ecology Days three times a year (see p.38) and an annual Deep Ecology Retreat (see p.22).
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E M M A R G O PR May I be a light for those in need of light. May I be a bed for those in need of rest. May I be a servant for those in need of service, for all embodied beings. — From the Bodhicaryavatara 19
EVERY WEEK
MONDAY TO SATURDAY LUNCHTIME MEDITATION TASTER Drop in and learn some of the principles of meditation or join the regulars to take your practice deeper. 1pm – 2pm. By donation.
WEDNESDAY MORNING DAYTIME DHARMA & MEDITATION CLASS A friendly and diverse class offering teaching and inspiration to newcomers and experienced practitioners alike. The first Wednesday of each month is a practice morning devoted to meditation and ritual, without meditation teaching for beginners. 10.35am – 12.30pm. Crèche facilities for children 6 mths – 5 yrs, supported by experienced staff. By donation.
MONDAY EVENING DHARMA NIGHT Þ Explore Buddhism through seminars, talks, meditation and puja. Whether you have done one of our introductory courses and want to learn more, or you have learned to meditate with us and are wondering what being a Buddhist means, drop in any Monday evening. 7.15pm – 9.45pm. Suggested donation £7.
THURSDAY EVENING REGULARS’ YOGA CLASS A 90-minute class providing a chance to progress deeper into your yoga practice. Not suitable for beginners. Wear warm, comfortable clothing. 7pm – 8.30pm. £12.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY EVENING MEDITATION Meditation is a way of creating a fit and healthy mind and a positive and creative world. Drop in either to learn meditation from scratch or to take your practice further and cultivate clear awareness, peace of mind and emotional positivity. 7.15pm – 9.30pm. Suggested donation £11/£6.
FRIDAY EVENING MEDITATION & PUJA Þ Devotional practice helps us to engage with ideals and strengthen our confidence in the Dharma. Bring the week to a contemplative close with meditation and ritual. 7pm – 9.45pm. Suggested donation £7. 20
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The power of good is always weak, while the power of evil is vast and terrible. What other good could conquer that, were there not the perfect Awakening Mind?
WEEKDAY LUNCHTIME & EARLY EVENING YOGA Drop-in sessions of yoga for meditation, encouraging flexibility, strength and awareness of bodily sensations. Suitable for all levels. Weekday lunchtimes, 12pm – 12.45pm & 1.15pm – 2pm. By donation. Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri evenings, 5.45pm – 6.45pm. £8.
— From the Bodhicaryavatara
SATURDAY MORNING YOGA First session: 10am – 11.15am. A longer class, including some meditation. Second session: 11.30am – 12.30pm. £10 per class.
Our class schedule will be slightly different over the Christmas and New Year period. See our website for more details nearer the time.
MONDAY & THURSDAY VOLUNTEER SESSIONS Following the lunchtime class, join in with the work period, cleaning the Centre and looking after the shrines. Every Monday & Thursday, 2.20pm – 3.30pm.
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
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SEPTEMBER
p Retreat Course
THU 5 – MON 9 SEP p DEEP ECOLOGY CAMPING RETREAT Þ ‘Deep Ecology begins and ends with wonder – profound wonder. On that account we ought to consider life, indeed our very existence, as a flowing current.’ — Arne Naess. Puja, meditation, talks, workshops, guided walks, yoga and more, out in the open air in beautiful north Norfolk. Led by Sanghasiha & Garavavati. £160. Book online.
SUN 1 SEP MONTHLY MEDITATION DAY New this autumn, one Sunday a month everyone can come together to spend the day meditating. You can learn from scratch two transformative meditation practices or if you already know them you can go into more depth with some of the LBC’s most experienced teachers. Led by Maitreyabandhu & Sraddhagita. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. £30. Book online.
MEDITATION TOOLKIT: THE
SAT 7 SEP SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR Maitreyabandhu joins us in September, bringing his wit and wisdom to bear on the Honeyball Sutta in which the Buddha explores how we distort our view of the world through uncontrolled thinking. 10am – 12.30pm (Doors open from 9.45am). Followed by café lunch. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
EXPANDING HORIZON OF THE MIND Þ In order to keep taking our meditation practice further we need to imaginatively connect with the potential of the mind. Learn how to invigorate the imagination and connect it with your direct experience over six lunchtime drop-in classes. Come to all six or just as many as you can. Led by Suryagupta. Every day, 1pm – 2pm. By donation.
SUN 8 SEP YOGA & MEDITATION DAY An opportunity to put down your day-to-day activities and be led in yoga and meditation to relax and reinvigorate the mind and body. Suitable for beginners and regulars. Led by Danayutta. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Book online.
MON 2 – SAT 7 SEP
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SAT 14 SEP DISCUSSION MORNING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE ASKED FOR ORDINATION Þ A wonderful opportunity to come together to discuss and reflect on your practice, meet old friends, make new ones and deepen your practice of going for refuge. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation. Theme and leader TBC closer to the time.
SUN 8 SEP PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A morning for parents, non-parents and prospective parents to practise together. Our guest speaker in September is Lilavati discussing art, parenthood, and Buddhist practice. 10.35am – 12.30pm. Second Sunday of the month. Crèche for children 6 mths – 5 yrs and activities for children 6 plus. Babies under 6 mths are welcome in the adult session. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 14 SEP FULL MOON PUJA In coming together for a short ritual on the full moon of each month, we are joining Buddhists across the world in a tradition that goes back to the time of the Buddha. After lunchtime class. 2.30pm. By donation. SAT 14 SEP FILM NIGHT Pather Panchali (1955). Satyajit Ray’s remarkable debut film is the first part of the Apu trilogy. Wonderfully evocative of Indian village life, it is astutely observed, humorous, tragic and deeply moving. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7. We continue the trilogy on 5 & 26 Oct.
STARTS TUE 10 SEP
YOGA AND MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS A four-week course suitable for beginners. Learn the principles of yoga and meditation in a small group with clear, comprehensive guidance and a supportive atmosphere. Led by Danayutta, 7.15pm – 8.45pm. £40 (£30 concs). Book online.
SUN 15 SEP OPEN DAY A whole day of activities to give you a sense of what goes on at the London Buddhist Centre. Find out about Buddhism, learn to meditate or try a taster session in Breathing Space. 11am – 5pm. See full programme nearer the time. All events are free with refreshments provided.
FRI 13 – SUN 15 SEP p YOGA & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT A weekend at our Buddhist Retreat Centre in Suffolk, working on deepening our lives by practising yoga and meditation. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. At Vajrasana. £215 (£164 concs). Book online. 23
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SEPTEMBER (Contd.) p Retreat Course
SUN 15 – FRI 20 SEP p WORKING RETREAT A low-cost mid-week retreat with the emphasis on working and living together. The daily programme includes work periods, study, discussion and meditation. Led by Jnanaruchi and Sudurjaya. At Vajrasana. £113 (£87 concs). Book online.
SAT 21 – SAT 28 SEP p THE URBAN RETREAT Turn a week of your life into a retreat. We’ll support you with intensive meditation mornings, a silent day-long retreat, weekday morning meditations, evening classes, Dharma talks, yoga and text messages. You can attend as much or as little as you like. Suitable for all levels of experience, though if you need to learn meditation from scratch do come on the first Saturday morning. Led by Subhadramati, Mahamani, Jnanadaya, Garavavati & Prajnamanas. Check for full programme nearer the time. Free but booking online is essential.
FRI 20 – SUN 22 SEP p INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation, the Buddhist vision and the transformative power of retreats for the first time. Join us to learn two far-reaching meditation practices and live communally in the countryside for a weekend. Led by Sanghasiha & Prajnadevi. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
SAT 21 SEP THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Maitripushpa & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 20 SEP SUB25 CLASS: DEALING WITH DESIRE Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. In September, Vidyadaka grapples with the central problem of how we harness the energy of our desires and use it for the good. 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘till 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
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For the caravan of humanity travelling the road of existence, hungry for the enjoyment of happiness, this is a feast of happiness offered as refreshment to all beings who approach. — From the Bodhicaryavatara
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SEPTEMBER (Contd.) SAT 21 SEP POETRYEAST: MAITREYABANDHU LAUNCHES AFTER CÉZANNE Maitreyabandhu launches his third Bloodaxe poetry collection, After Cézanne, a sequence of fifty-six poems exploring the life and work of the post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. ‘A resoundingly authentic collection with no lapses in concentration’ – Sasha Dugdale. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
SUN 22 SEP NEWCOMERS’ DAY RETREAT FOR PEOPLE OF COLOUR A day for people of colour to come together to learn meditation and be inspired by the Buddha’s teaching. For those new to meditation and Buddhism. Regulars also welcome. Led by Suryagupta & Bodhilila. 11am – 4pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £25.
SUN 22 SEP TOTAL IMMERSION DAY Þ Intensify your meditation practice and experience your mind in a new way on this silent retreat-like day. For those who have learned both the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices. . Led by the Urban Retreat Team. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. By donation.
THU 26 – SUN 29 SEP p SANGHA INTENSIVE WEEKEND: THE TASTE OF FREEDOM Þ Liberation is inconceivable – we can’t know it until it happens. To approach it we need to cut through our tendency to literalism and reflect on existence with maturity and courage. On this mostly silent long-weekend retreat for those who are consistently deepening their Dharma practice at the LBC we’ll explore how to develop our taste for the inconceivable. Led by Maitreyabandhu & Abhayanandi. At Vajrasana. £225 (£178 concs). Book online.
SUN 22 SEP BEFORE I DIE Þ The one thing we can be sure of is that we will die. This is a day to meditate, discuss, reflect and perform ritual to help prepare ourselves for this eventuality so that we can live more fully today and tomorrow and… Led by Padmalila. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. 26
SAT 28 SEP TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD – RACE & THE SANGHA Þ A morning exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. In September we’re exploring race, Sangha and spiritual practice with Manjusiha, drawing on the work of Reni Eddo-Lodge. 10am – 1pm. With Manjusiha. Last Saturday of the month. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 29 SEP BUDDHIST SUNDAY SCHOOL Encouraging and developing our children’s mindfulness and kindness through Buddhist teaching, practice, storytelling and crafts. For 3 – 12 year olds. Parents/carers are welcome. Led by Jyotismati & team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 28 SEP YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Yoga has been used for centuries as a preparation for meditation; in this workshop we’ll explore the relationship between the two with yoga postures to balance, strengthen and restore the body and meditation practices to calm and focus the mind. Led by Danayutta. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online.
STARTS MON 30 SEP
INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION COURSE A six-week course led by experienced teachers offering an overview of Buddhist principles and an introduction to two meditation practices that cultivate selfawareness, open-heartedness and spiritual insight. Mon evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £110 (£90 concs). Book online.
SUN 29 SEP PADMASAMBHAVA DAY FESTIVAL: CALLING THE GURU FROM AFAR Þ Padmasambhava is a potent symbol of transformation. Join Danayutta and Vidyadaka on this festival day to evoke the help, energy and vision we need to change our lives. There will be meditation, ritual, readings, talks, Mitra ceremonies and more. Led by Vidyadaka & Danayutta. 10am – 10pm. See full programme nearer the time. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. By donation.
STARTS MON 30 SEP THE BI-TENDENTIAL VALUE OF BEING Þ How do we go beyond the duality of subject and object, self and other, to experience the true nature of reality? Join Jnanavaca and Subhadramati for a five-week drop-in seminar on Dharma Night exploring this vital aspect of Bhante Sangharakshita’s presentation of the Buddha’s teaching. Led by Jnanavaca and Subhadramati. Mon evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. Suggested donation £7. 27
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
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OCTOBER SAT 5 OCT SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR In October, Maitrivajri delves into the classic Chinese Buddhist text on meditation, Chi-I’s Dhyana for Beginners. Join her to explore the timeless art of working with and transforming the mind. 10am – 12.30pm (Doors open from 9.45am). Followed by café lunch. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SAT 5 OCT FILM NIGHT Aparajito (1956). Although part two of the Apu trilogy, Aparajito stands alone; tensions between mother and son, and traditional village and contemporary city life in India, are evoked with Satyajit Ray’s characteristic subtlety. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7. We complete the trilogy on Oct 26.
SAT 5 OCT CHI-KUNG WORKSHOP Learn some warm-ups and standing postures of Chi-Kung, then bring the energy generated into meditation. For health, inner strength and tranquility. Suitable for all levels. Led by Jayaka. 10.00am – 12.30pm. £15. Book online.
FRI 11 – FRI 18 OCT p SANGHA INTENSIVE WEEK: OUR INHERITANCE OF JOY Þ Whenever you act from metta you loosen the constricting illusion of a separate self. This is insight. On this intensive retreat we will explore the cultivation, culmination and realisation of metta through meditation, ritual and extended silent periods. For those who are consistently deepening their Dharma practice at the LBC, with experience of Triratna retreats and at least six months of experience with meditation. Led by Subhadramati & Jayaka. At Vajrasana. £359 (£272 concs). Book online.
SAT 5 OCT YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Yoga has been used for centuries as a preparation for meditation; in this workshop we’ll explore the relationship between the two with yoga postures to balance, strengthen and restore the body and meditation practices to calm and focus the mind. Led by Esther. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online. 28
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
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SUN 13 OCT YOGA & MEDITATION DAY An opportunity to put down your day-to-day activities and be led in yoga and meditation to relax and reinvigorate the mind and body. Suitable for beginners and regulars. Led by Garavavati. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Book online.
SUN 13 OCT FULL MOON PUJA In coming together for a short ritual on the full moon of each month, we are joining Buddhists across the world in a tradition that goes back to the time of the Buddha. Part of Parent Drop-in Dharma. Doors open 11.45am for a 12pm start. By donation.
SUN 13 OCT PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A morning for parents, non-parents and prospective parents to practise together. In October, Sraddhagita explores friendship – ‘Letters to an American Prisoner’. 10.35am – 12.30pm. Second Sunday of the month. Crèche for children 6 mths – 5 yrs and activities for children 6 plus. Babies under 6 mths are welcome in the adult session. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 18 – SUN 20 OCT p PADMALOKA’S GREAT GATHERING FOR MEN Þ Gather in the beautiful Norfolk countryside with men from across the Triratna Buddhist Community for a weekend at Padmaloka retreat centre on ‘Creating the Land of the Buddha: The Buddha’s social revolution’. £135 (£95 concs). At Padmaloka in Norfolk. Book online at padmaloka.org.uk 29
OCTOBER (Contd.) FRI 18 OCT SUB25 CLASS: THE COMMITTED LIFE Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. This October, young Order members Ksantikara and Moksadhi are interviewed about the long Ordination retreats they’ve recently returned from. 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘till 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 20 OCT MONTHLY MEDITATION DAY New this autumn, one Sunday a month everyone can come together to spend the day meditating. You can learn from scratch two transformative meditation practices or if you already know them you can go into more depth with some of the LBC’s most experienced teachers. Led by Jnanavaca & Danayutta. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. £30. Book online.
SAT 19 OCT DISCUSSION MORNING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE ASKED FOR ORDINATION Þ A wonderful opportunity to come together to discuss and reflect on your practice, meet old friends, make new ones and deepen your practice of going for refuge. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation. Theme and leader TBC closer to the time.
MON 21 – FRI 25 OCT p PARENTS’ AND CHILDREN’S RETREAT: THE WORLDLY WINDS This five-day retreat for families is an opportunity to explore the ups and downs of human experience from a Buddhist perspective. With meditation, puja, storytelling and a range of workshops for children and adults, we’ll explore how the Buddha navigated the worldly winds in his quest for freedom. Led by Maitrinita & Saddhaketu. At Vajrasana. £226 (£180 concs, £72 child). Children must be aged three and a half plus. Limited places – to register your interest in joining, email families@lbc.org.uk
SAT 19 OCT THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Maitripushpa & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7. 30
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
FRI 25 – SUN 27 OCT p INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation, t he Buddhist vision and the transformative power of retreats for the first time. Join us to learn two far-reaching meditation practices and live communally in the countryside for a weekend. Led by Subhadramati & Amalayodhin. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
SAT 26 OCT FILM NIGHT Apur Sansar (1959) concludes the Apu Trilogy yet it stands alone; a young writer’s struggles with loss and the realities of life are the backdrop to another achingly poignant film by Satyajit Ray. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7. SUN 27 OCT WORKING DAY RETREAT Þ It is all too easy to leave our practice behind on the meditation cushion. On this ‘zen-like’ practice day we will be combining sessions of meditation with periods of mindful work, at once beautifying to the centre and cultivating the mind. Led by Jnanadaya. 10am – 5pm. The day is free but please bring vegan/veg lunch to share.
SAT 26 OCT TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD Þ A morning exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. How can we apply the Dharma to transform ourselves and our communities? 10am – 1pm. Last Saturday of the month. Suggested donation £7. 31
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
p Retreat Course
OCTOBER (Contd.) p Retreat Course Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
WED 30 OCT PUJA FOR BHANTE Þ On the one-year anniversary of the death of our founder and teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita, LBC Chair Suryagupta will lead an afternoon puja to celebrate his life and what we have received from him. Led by Suryagupta. 3pm. By donation.
SUN 27 OCT BUDDHIST SUNDAY SCHOOL Encouraging and developing our children’s mindfulness and kindness through Buddhist teaching, practice, storytelling and crafts. For 3 – 12 year olds. Parents/carers are welcome. Led by Jyotismati & team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
STARTS WED 30 OCT
THE JOURNEY AND THE GUIDE: A PRACTICAL COURSE IN ENLIGHTENMENT How do we make the most of life? This eight-week course leads you step by step along the Buddhist path, learning how to put the spiritual life into practice here and now. We’ll provide reading material, talks, meditation, discussion groups and all the tools to set you on the path of transformation. Led by Maitreyabandhu & Suryagupta. Weds evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £150 (£120 concs). Price includes the book. Book online.
MON 28 OCT – FRI 1 NOV DEVOTION TO BHANTE Þ In memory of our founder and teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita. A week of morning pujas for Bhante, with readings from his life, his teachings and his poetry; as well as mantras and meditation. You’re welcome to stay afterwards for breakfast before heading off into your day. Led by Subhadramati & Vidyadaka. 7am – 8am (followed by breakfast). Doors open from 6.40am and will close promptly at 7am. By donation. 32
— From the Bodhicaryavatara
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
There is no evil equal to hatred, and no spiritual practice equal to forbearance. Therefore one should develop forbearance by various means, with great effort.
NOVEMBER
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SAT 9 NOV MANTRA & MEDITATION MORNING Þ Mantras are sound symbols that point towards the mystery and beauty of Enlightenment. On this morning, through meditation and chanting, we will attempt to explore that mystery. Led by Dayabhadra. 9.30am – 12.30pm. Suggested donation £15.
FRI 1 – SUN 3 NOV p YOGA & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT A weekend at our Buddhist Retreat Centre in Suffolk, working on deepening our lives by practising yoga and meditation. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. At Vajrasana. £215 (£164 concs). Book online.
SAT 9 NOV YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Yoga has been used for centuries as a preparation for meditation; in this workshop we’ll explore the relationship between the two with yoga postures to balance, strengthen and restore the body and meditation practices to calm and focus the mind. Led by Danayutta. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online.
SAT 2 NOV SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR Join Subhadramati as she brings her wealth of experience in Buddhist teaching and practice to exploring the Meghiya Sutta. In this early text, the Buddha uses skill and good humour to show a young disciple what the priorities in the spiritual life really are. 10am – 12.30pm (Doors open from 9.45am). Followed by café lunch. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 10 NOV SANGHA DAY FESTIVAL Þ Sangha Day is our yearly celebration of that ideal of human communication and community that we aspire to bring into existence. Expect meditation, talks, and ritual with Mitra reaffirmations and Mitra ceremonies. Led by Jayaka and Mahamani. 10am – 10pm. See full programme nearer the time. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. By donation.
SUN 3 NOV BUDDHISM & 12-STEP RECOVERY A day for people interested in Buddhism and meditation who are also in 12-step recovery groups. Led by Sanghasiha. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. 34
FRI 15 – SUN 17 NOV p SUB25 RETREAT: THE FIRE OF TRANSFORMATION In order to make a difference in the world we need to start by transforming ourselves. It is a courageous undertaking that can release vast reserves of energy we didn’t know we had. Get a taste for transformation on this weekend retreat for all levels of experience. For those aged 16 – 25. At Vajrasana. £92 (£50 concs). Book online.
SUN 10 NOV PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A morning for parents, non-parents and prospective parents to practise together. November’s class is on ‘The Four Reminders’ – a writing workshop led by Maitrinita. 10.35am – 12.30pm. Second Sunday of the month. Crèche for children 6 mths – 5 yrs and activities for children 6 plus. Babies under 6 mths are welcome in the adult session. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 15 NOV SUB25 CLASS: THE FEARLESS HEART Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. In November, Kusalasara refers to the Karaniya Metta Sutta as we uncover the protective and confidence-inspiring power of loving-kindness. 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘till 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
STARTS MON 11 NOV
INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION COURSE A six-week course led by experienced teachers offering an overview of Buddhist principles and an introduction to two meditation practices that cultivate selfawareness, open-heartedness and spiritual insight. Monday evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £110 (£90 concs). Book online.
SAT 16 NOV DISCUSSION MORNING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE ASKED FOR ORDINATION Þ A wonderful opportunity to come together to discuss and reflect on your practice, meet old friends, make new ones and deepen your practice of going for refuge. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation. Theme and leader TBC closer to the time.
TUE 12 NOV FULL MOON PUJA In coming together for a short ritual on the full moon of each month, we are joining Buddhists across the world in a tradition that goes back to the time of the Buddha. After Tuesday night class. 9.30pm. By donation. 35
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
NOVEMBER (Contd.) SUN 17 NOV YOGA & MEDITATION DAY An opportunity to put down your day-to-day activities and be led in yoga and meditation to relax and reinvigorate the mind and body. Suitable for beginners and regulars. Led by Garavavati. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Book online.
SAT 16 NOV THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Maitripushpa & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7. SAT 16 NOV POETRYEAST WITH PAUL FARLEY An ongoing series of cultural events exploring the meaning and value of the arts. This time Maitreyabandhu interviews the poet Paul Farley. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
SAT 23 & 30 NOV MORNING MEDITATION INTENSIVE Þ Speech is deceptively close to thought so working with our mind is essential in our efforts to communicate more skillfully. Come and learn how to eradicate the mental states that keep us disconnected from other people over two drop-in intensive meditation mornings. Led by Nandaraja. 9.30am – 12.30pm. (Doors open at 9.15am). Suggested donation £15.
SUN 17 NOV MONTHLY MEDITATION DAY New this autumn, one Sunday a month everyone can come together to spend the day meditating. You can learn from scratch two transformative meditation practices or if you already know them you can go into more depth with some of the LBC’s most experienced teachers. Led by Maitreyaraja & Mahamani. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. £30. Book online.
SAT 23 & SUN 24 NOV WOMEN’S SANGHA STUDY WEEKEND Þ Spend a weekend on retreat in the city with a small community of women – meditating, studying and reflecting on Bhante Sangharakshita’s 1971 lecture ‘The Individual, the Group and the Community’ and its significance in your life. Led by Kalyanavaca and Ambaranta. 10am – 4pm both days. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. £40 (£30 concs). Book online. 36
FRI 29 NOV – SUN 1 DEC SAT 23 NOV FILM NIGHT Paterson (2016). Jim Jarmusch’s delightful tale of a bus driver poet called Paterson, who lives in Paterson, New Jersey. With terrific performances from Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani and Nellie the dog. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 24 NOV BUDDHIST SUNDAY SCHOOL Encouraging and developing our children’s mindfulness and kindness through Buddhist teaching, practice, storytelling and crafts. For 3 – 12 year olds. Parents/carers are welcome. Led by Jyotismati & team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation, the Buddhist vision and the transformative power of retreats for the first time. Join us to learn two far-reaching meditation practices and live communally in the countryside for a weekend. Led by Maitrivajri & Dayabhadra. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online. SAT 30 NOV TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD Þ A morning exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. How can we apply the Dharma to transform ourselves and our communities? 10am – 1pm. Last Saturday of the month. Suggested donation £7. SAT 30 NOV YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON WITH BODHIYOGA An afternoon of yoga with Sadhita and Sudaka, who have been practising and teaching yoga and meditation for twenty-five years. They run Bodhiyoga, a Mindfulness Yoga teacher training programme where LBC yoga teachers Garavavati and Sraddhagita learned their trade! Led by Sadhita & Sudaka. 3pm – 6pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online.
MON 25, TUES 26 & WED 27 NOV RAMBLES AROUND REALITY On his 2019 visit to the centre, LBC President Subhuti will be giving his famous ‘rambles’ – a series of informal talks on the Dharma, exploring his current thinking about Buddhism, the nature of reality and what it means for us today. Don’t miss out! 5.30pm – 7pm each day. Doors open briefly for latecomers just before 6pm. By donation. 37
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
p Retreat Course
DECEMBER
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SAT 7 DEC POETRYEAST WITH KEI MILLER An ongoing series of cultural events exploring the meaning and value of the arts. This time Maitreyabandhu interviews the poet, novelist and essayist Kei Miller. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SUN 1 DEC DEEP ECOLOGY DAY A day of practice exploring our relationship with the natural world through ritual, sound meditation, talks, poetry, music and discussion. Led by Sanghasiha. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30.
SUN 8 DEC PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A class to give parents, non-parents and prospective parents the opportunity to practise together. In December, Dayabhadra leads a session on mantra and meditation. 10.35am – 12.30pm. Second Sunday of the month. Crèche for children 6 mths – 5 yrs and activities for children 6 plus. Babies under 6 mths are welcome in the adult session. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 7 DEC SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR In December, Satyadasa joins us to explore the Kalama Sutta. In this classic and often misunderstood text the Buddha gives the criteria for determining what is true and when we are best to be sceptical – essential tools for the age of information. 10am – 12.30pm (Doors open from 9.45am). Followed by café lunch. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
THU 12 DEC FULL MOON PUJA In coming together for a short ritual on the full moon of each month, we are joining Buddhists across the world in a tradition that goes back to the time of the Buddha. After Thursday Evening Yoga Class. 8.45pm. By donation. SAT 14 DEC FILM NIGHT Tale of Tales (2016). Matteo Garrone’s superb weaving together of the fables of Giambattista Basile is pure magic. Bring your imagination and expect the unexpected; beautifully shot and played — truly fabulous. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 7 DEC CHI-KUNG WORKSHOP Learn some warm-ups and standing postures of Chi-Kung, then bring the energy generated into meditation. For health, inner strength and tranquility. Suitable for all levels. Led by Jnanadaya. 10.00am – 12.30pm. £15. Book online. 38
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019 SUN 15 DEC MONTHLY MEDITATION DAY New this autumn, one Sunday a month everyone can come together to spend the day meditating. You can learn from scratch two transformative meditation practices or if you already know them you can go into more depth with some of the LBC’s most experienced teachers. Led by Vidyadaka & Suvarnajyoti. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. £30. Book online.
SUN 22 DEC – WED 1 JAN p THE WINTER RETREAT 2019 Sharing five or ten days with like-minded men and women, in close contact with the natural world and away from our overloaded modern life, will give us a rare chance to discover the deep potential of our minds. The programme will include meditation, talks about Buddhism, Buddhist ritual, discussion groups and periods of silence. For newcomers, or those in their first two years of practice. 22 Dec – 1 Jan (10 nights): £543 (£430 concs). 22 Dec – 27 Dec (5 nights) or 27 Dec – 1 Jan (5 nights): £328 (£277 concs). Led by Suryagupta & Jnanavaca. At Adhisthana in Herefordshire. Book online.
SAT 21 DEC THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Maitripushpa & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7. 39
DECEMBER (Contd.) THU 26 DEC BOXING DAY RETREAT Þ Turn Boxing Day into a reflective day of meditation and ritual with the LBC sangha. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. SUN 22 DEC – WED 1 JAN p WINTER INTENSIVE RETREAT Þ The Mighty Ocean – the natural mode of consciousness is to expand, yet repeatedly it shrinks it back to ‘me’ and ‘mine’. It’s as if we identify with a tiny ripple on the surface of the ocean. On this intensive meditation retreat we will explore how to let go of that identification and experience the whole fathomless ocean of liberation. For those who are consistently deepening their Dharma practice at the LBC, with experience of Triratna retreats and at least six months of experience with meditation. Led by Maitreyabandhu & Subhadramati. At Vajrasana. £543 (£430 concs). Book online. WED 25 DEC CHRISTMAS DAY RETREAT Þ Spend Christmas Day at the LBC for a quiet, communal day of meditation, reflection and ritual. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30.
SUN 29 DEC BUDDHIST SUNDAY SCHOOL Encouraging and developing our children’s mindfulness and kindness through Buddhist teaching, practice, storytelling and crafts. For 3 – 12 year olds. Parents/carers are welcome. Led by Jyotismati & team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7. TUE 31 DEC NEW YEAR FOR NEWCOMERS Do something different with your New Year’s Eve – make your resolutions with a clear head and start 2020 with others in a friendly and meaningful atmosphere. For those who are new (or relatively new) to the LBC. The evening will include meditation, talks, tea, chanting and the chance to join in with the All-Night Meditation if you’d like to. Come and be inspired! Led by Vidyadaka & Garavavati. 7.15pm – 12.30am. 40
TUE 31 DEC NEW YEAR’S EVE AND ALL-NIGHT MEDITATION Þ Meditation and mindfulness through the night. See the New Year in with others in an atmosphere of reflection, contemplation and kindly awareness. Here we can turn towards our experience and renew our commitment to living life fully. Led by Atula & Ambaranta. 7.30pm – 6am. Entry and exit every hour until 10.30pm, then at 12.30am, 1.30am, 3.30am and for a puja at 5am. By donation.
WED 1 JAN NEW YEAR’S DAY RETREAT Get your year off to an auspicious start with a day of meditation, reflection, ritual and friendship. You’re welcome to join us whether it’s your first taste of meditation and Buddhism, or you’re already meditating and want to take your practice deeper. Turn over a new leaf! Led by Garavavati & Prajnamanas. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegan/veg lunch to share. Suggested donation £30.
Mindfulness-based approaches to prevent depression, stress and anxiety MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION COURSES AND RETREATS Change the way you relate to stress and anxiety. MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY COURSES Learn tools to prevent relapse into depression. CARERS DROP-IN Tuesdays 11.15am – 12.45pm. Guided meditation, sharing circle and stress reduction. For more info and to book: breathingspacelondon.org.uk
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London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
p Retreat Course
poetryEast at the London Buddhist Centre explores the meaning and value of the arts. Previous guests include Antony Gormley, Alice Oswald, Rowan Williams, Jorie Graham, and Colm Tóibín. SAT 21 SEP MAITREYABANDHU LAUNCHES ‘AFTER CÉZANNE’ Maitreyabandhu launches his third Bloodaxe poetry collection, After Cézanne, a sequence of fifty-six poems exploring the life and work of the post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. ‘A resoundingly authentic collection with no lapses in concentration’ – Sasha Dugdale. 7.30pm. £11. Book online. SAT 16 NOV POETRYEAST WITH PAUL FARLEY Paul Farley has published four collections and a Selected Poems. Other books include Edgelands and Deaths of Poets (both with Michael Symmons Roberts). A frequent broadcaster, Paul’s awards include Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, the Whitbread Poetry Prize and the E.M. Forster Award. 7.30pm. £11. Book online. SAT 7 DEC POETRYEAST WITH KEI MILLER Kei Miller is a poet, novelist, essayist, short story writer and broadcaster. His books include the novel Augustown and poetry collection The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion, which won the Forward Prize in 2014. He is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Exeter. ‘An extraordinary new voice singing with clarity and grace’ – Olive Senior. 7.30pm. £11. Book online. 42
Led by a group of young Buddhists, with experienced guest teachers, these events are a great way to discover meditation and the teaching of the Buddha in a way that’s relevant in your everyday life. THIRD FRIDAY SUB25 CLASS Learn meditation from scratch or join the regulars to go into more depth. Talks, discussions and a chance to explore some of the key questions involved in leading a meaningful life:
SUB25 SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST SEMINARS Croissants, coffee and stimulating discussion on a classic Buddhist text: 7 SEP Honeyball Sutta with Maitreyabandhu 5 OCT Chi-I’s Dhyana for Beginners with Maitrivajri 2 NOV Meghiya Sutta with Subhadramati 7 DEC Kalama Sutta with Satyadasa
20 SEP Dealing with Desire with Vidyadaka 18 OCT The Committed Life with Ksantikara & Moksadhi 15 NOV The Fearless Heart with Kusalasara
10am – 12.30pm. Followed by café lunch. Suggested donation £7.
NO THIRD FRIDAY CLASS IN DECEMBER ...but come on the Winter Retreat!
SUB25 RETREAT: THE FIRE OF TRANSFORMATION FRI 15 – SUN 17 NOV £92/£50. At Vajrasana in Suffolk. Book online.
7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘till 10.30pm) Suggested donation £7.
To join the mailing list or to ask any questions, you can contact the Sub25 team on Sub25@lbc.org.uk
Turn to the monthly listings to find out more about the events on this page. 43
London Buddhist Centre | Sep–Dec 2019
(Ages 16-25)
Editor: Gus Miller Design: Idoia Acha Photography: Richard Nicholson (multiple exposures), Sam Roberts and Louise Hall (LBC images). Contributor portraits: Gus Miller Proofreading: Warren Davis Thank you: Devamitra, Amaradaya and Clear Vision Trust
lements and other e h rt a e e th s Just a ays le in many w b a e ic rv e s Are eings, number of b e it n fi in e th To ce, mitless spa Inhabiting li come So may I be eings intains all b a m h ic h w t Tha e, ughout spac ro th d te a u it S not attained e v a h ll a s a So long uja Sevenfold P To peace. — From the