JANUARY – APRIL 2019
Urgyen Sangharakshita ‘Bhante’ 26.08.1925 – 30.10.2018
Offering by Jnanavaca From my remote retreat I can send no word On your birthday Bhante, This, your ninety-third. And all I have to offer – Just picked from a tree, Three fresh almonds, For the Jewels you’ve given me. Guhyaloka 26th August 2018
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‘‘One can love people only as far as one understands them, and be ready to love them more when one understands them better.’ Sangharakshita
E M O C L WE It’s a new year in London – that time where we can feel the possibility of change most keenly. Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community, which the London Buddhist Centre is a part of, died in October. He spent his life sharing the essence of the Buddha’s teaching with hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. The LBC wouldn’t be here without him. We’ve scattered some of his sayings through this issue – may they ring in our ears for many years to come. We’ve also filled this issue with Barbora Benesova’s vibrant photos of life around the LBC as well as writing from some of the people who pass in and out of its doors.
London Buddhist Centre 51 Roman Road Bethnal Green London E2 0HU contact@lbc.org.uk + 44 (0)20 8981 1225 www.lbc.org.uk
Then, from page 17, our programme of events for January to April will show you the different ways in which you can get involved this Spring. 1
Niki At home, I can find meditation a struggle, although I definitely recognise the benefits. Retreats are just incredible, though; I respond really well to meditation when I do a lot of it over a period of time. I can get quite concentrated and I feel light, elated; it’s incredible the difference in me. Periods of retreat throughout the year really keep me going.
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Warren Meditation has had a massive effect on my life. Every morning on the tube someone will get stroppy: ‘Don’t push.’ ‘I’m not pushing!’ I can experience the discomfort of that, but I don’t have to get lost in thought about it or act on it in a negative way. It doesn’t have to ruin my day. Plus, if I have a better day, those around me probably will too!
‘If one always tries to explain the unknown by the known one will never learn anything.’
There are many ways to learn to meditate at the LBC. Why not jump in with the Meditation Starter Kit from January 9th (see p.21). There are also weekly drop-in classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and on Monday through Saturday at lunch time. You could also try an Introduction to Meditation Day, an Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation Course or an Introductory Retreat. See the full programme from p.17 for more information.
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SUBHADRAMATI’S TOP SEVEN TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED WITH MEDITATION
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
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London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER by Suryagupta Suryagupta, the Chair of the London Buddhist Centre, tells the story of her ‘quest’ for the wise perspective necessary to address suffering in the world. At the age of six I fell off the climbing frame at school. Walking home afterwards, probably somewhat concussed, I saw my world as if for the first time. People looked miserable, there were racist graffiti on the walls, we were surrounded by tall tower blocks and the predominant colour was grey. Growing up in the East End of London, I watched suffering play out through inequalities of race, class and poverty. From early on I wanted to discover how to create a more just world. That impulse led me to study law. The law, I thought, being about Justice, might be a way to create that fairer world. I ended up getting a very well paid, prestigious job in the City. However, the focus was very commercial and it didn’t align with my emerging values and ethics. Fortunately, I had already come in contact with Buddhism and that gave me the courage to say ‘I don’t want to do this.’ I knew this type of work wasn’t going to help me to grow spiritually. Practising the Dharma had given me a sense that there was a whole other world that I wanted to explore.
I wanted to do more but I quickly encountered not just my own limits, but also those of the structures and systems that I was working within. I sensed that there must be other ways to help.
But I still needed to earn a living and I had a very strong sense that practising Buddhism involved responding to suffering. I thought I’d take a more direct, personal approach. That took me to working with young people at risk, with refugees and asylum seekers and eventually to training as a social worker. Some of the work was very difficult and distressing. I wanted to do more but I quickly encountered not just my own limits, but also those of the structures and systems that 8
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I was working within. I sensed that there must be other ways to help, but I decided to just keep going until something else came into being. What came into being was my son! A few years after he was born, I remember coming home after working on a particularly upsetting case and I just couldn’t get the images from it out of my head. Yet here was this new being wanting me to read him stories and to learn about the world he was now in. I realised that the work I was doing was no longer compatible with caring for him in a positive way. So I took some time off to be a full-time mum whilst I worked out what to do next. Again, my Buddhist practice gave me the confidence that somehow or other I’d find a way to make it work. One day a friend came over as I was reading my son a story. When I’d finished she said, ‘That was brilliant. That was so entertaining. 9
I was a full-time storyteller for over eight years. I worked with many of the same groups I’d been involved with as a social worker, so I was well aware of the context and circumstances of their suffering. However, my response to that suffering now was with the transformative power of the imagination. As part of my Buddhist practice, I was engaging with an imaginative I was engaging mythic realm and I could see how much I was being enriched by that. Storytelling provided a transformative with an imaginative environment in which we could all experience our mythic realm and humanity and creativity in a deeper way.
I could see how much I was being enriched by that. Storytelling provided a transformative environment in which we could all experience our humanity and creativity in a deeper way.
Today, I’m still involved in running a programme at universities for leaders who are addressing social and economic inequality. They’re activists and journalists, human rights workers and lawyers, all of whom are at the forefront of trying to change something systemic in their countries. We practice reflection – the aim is for them not just to garner information but to grow through the process. It’s tough work that they do, so they need to develop the necessary resources to make that work sustainable. They need to know how to be inspired and how to inspire others.
For many years, I’ve been inspired by the example of Dhardo Rimpoche – friend and teacher of Urgyen Sangharakshita, my own teacher. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, with limited resources Dhardo Rimpoche set up an orphanage and school for Tibetan refugees in India. Despite engaging fully in the life of the school, he began each day with several hours of meditation practice. In those hours he was able to contact an inexhaustible spring of wisdom and energy. He could care deeply about the world but also understand its limitations, its ephemerality, and not get caught up in it.
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I was totally with that story’! Later, at a convention of the Triratna Buddhist Order (of which I’m a member), I was sitting next to a man and I asked him what he did for a living. ‘I’m a storyteller,’ he said. I almost fell off my chair. ‘A storyteller,’ I repeated. ‘That’s what I’m going to do.’ I left the conversation delighted that I now knew my next step.
This was a very different model from the one I knew: if you were to meet suffering, you would suffer too. You’d either become exhausted or be a martyr to the cause. I was never attracted to that, but it was the only model I’d seen. So when I heard Dhardo’s story I thought, ‘Oh, good, you can meet suffering with positivity! You can serve from joy! How amazing is that!’ Dhardo Rimpoche © Clear Vision Trust
Becoming Chair of the London Buddhist Centre emerged from a desire to serve. Nothing I’ve done in life has come from a preconceived idea of what I should do next. Instead I feel like I’ve been on a quest – in the sense of a question that I’ve been trying to answer. How do I become someone who can make a difference in the world? When I was younger I would read the Bible. I admired the emphasis on love, but I also wondered how one could actually live that out. What struck me about Buddhism was that there was a whole path laid out in clear, practical steps. I could also see the examples of more experienced Buddhists around me who were expressing deeper values through their lives. I realised that must mean that it was possible for me too. The London Buddhist Centre stands for the possibility of embodying values and the creation of a community that does so. We can stand for the wise perspective that recognises that the suffering of the world has its roots in the human heart. It is only by addressing our own greed, hatred and innate urge to selfishness, that we can alleviate that suffering in ourselves and help others to do the same. It’s an urgent matter and I think that we have an important role to carry out. 12
‘How do I become someone who can make a difference in the world?’ What struck me about Buddhism was that there was a whole path laid out in clear, practical steps.
My Mum now has dementia. My stepfather, whom she lives with, has it too, along with Parkinson’s and other ailments. It’s really tough encountering them in that condition. I still feel the effects of their suffering – that hasn’t disappeared with my Buddhist practice – but I also appreciate each moment I have with them. There’s a joy in it too. My mum’s not able to speak much anymore but she sings. So we sing together and it’s lovely. She was rushed to the hospital not long ago and I went with her. We were in the A&E in one of those little waiting rooms in tightly packed rows. In a room near us we could hear this guy who had come in drunk and was shouting and swearing; I could tell he was having a hard time. My mum started humming ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water.’ I joined in and the humming became singing until we had quite a harmony going. Soon I noticed that the guy next door had stopped shouting. He’d calmed right down. Then he started singing with us. So then there were three of us, all singing ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ in the A&E.
We can stand for the wise perspective that recognises that the suffering of the world has its roots in the human heart.
It’s not always in the big dramatic events that one’s Buddhist practice comes to the fore. It’s often in those situations where you’re simply aware that somebody near to you is going through a hard time. Perhaps there’s nothing you can do directly to help, but somehow, in your response, in your sensitivity to the situation, with perspective and awareness, something can profoundly change.
Suryagupta teaches on Monday evenings at the LBC (see Dharma Night, p.18). From 7th January she will be co-leading a seminar series: Heart of Wisdom, Mind of Love (see p.20). 13
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
When I heard Dhardo Rimpoche’s story I thought, ‘Oh, good, you can meet suffering with positivity! You can serve from joy! How amazing is that!’
by Hannah Peaty an immediate insight into what I’m like and the impact I have. It’s a clear example of how connected we all are.
Hannah, whose life as a Buddhist has developed alongside her work as a Primary school teacher, considers cause and effect in the classroom.
But what am I actually trying to model? I’m still learning how to be in the world myself, so need to look to others to inspire and guide me. I too need a role model. When I came to the London Buddhist Centre seven years ago, I found people who exemplified qualities I wanted to develop in myself. They were patient, kind and confident in that modest way that feels authentic, and the friendships I came to develop with them were based on those values. Ultimately, I found inspiration in the Buddha who exemplifies these qualities in their fullness, embodying our highest potential as human beings.
It’s Monday morning. There’s the usual chatter and commotion of children spilling in from playtime, with huddled conversations and coats falling off pegs. A queue has already formed by my desk – it’s not the seamlessly calm transition into the lesson I’d hoped for. Images flash through my mind of an out-of-control classroom and work left unfinished. The clock is ticking and the noise level is rising, along with my heart rate. I could turn the line of children away, stick firmly to the plan… Instead I stop, and I breathe. I turn towards the first child with a smile. They want to share a joke with me, and it’s quite funny too! Teaching my lesson on ‘causal connectives’ can wait – much better to pay attention to my own cause and effect.
When asked in an interview once what the meaning of life was, my teacher Sangharakshita simply replied, ‘To grow.’ The more I practice Buddhism, the more I know why I teach. I want to grow and I want others to grow too. My job allows me to engage with this very directly – what greater and more rewarding responsibility could there be?
The classroom has been one of my strongest practice grounds as a Buddhist. It’s a tall responsibility – young children literally look up to you! They’re learning how to be in the world and, spending six hours a day with them, I’m one of their main role models. But perhaps they’re as much my teacher as I am theirs; my own behaviours are reflected straight back at me, giving me 14
Hannah is on the team for the Buddhist Sunday School (see p.23, p.27, p.31, p.34). 15
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
TALL RESPONSIBILITY
When asked in an interview once what the meaning of life was, my teacher Sangharakshita simply replied, ‘To grow.’
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
‘What every living thing wants to do most of all is to fulfil the law of its own being, and the law of our being is that we should develop.’ Sangharakshita
E M M A R G O PR 16
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MONDAY TO SATURDAY LUNCHTIME MEDITATION TASTER Drop in and learn some of the principles of meditation or join the regulars for a longer meditation to take your practice deeper. 1pm – 2pm. By donation.
WEDNESDAY MORNING DAYTIME DHARMA & MEDITATION CLASS Join us for talks and workshops exploring Buddhist teachings and meditation for both beginners and regulars. 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 EVENINGS 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. TUESDAY AND 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. 18
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
EVERY WEEK
‘You can only lead a simple life if you remember what life is really for. The purpose of simplicity is not to let the business of living get in the way of the things that are of importance.’
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.
THURSDAY EVENINGS 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.
SATURDAY MORNING YOGA First session: 10am – 11.15am. A longer class, including some meditation. Second session: 11.30am – 12.30pm. £10 per class.
FRIDAY EVENINGS 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.
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
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Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
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TUE 1 JAN NEW YEAR’S DAY RETREAT Þ Start 2018 by making New Year’s Day a day of meditation, reflection and friendship. Led by Kalyanavaca. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. FRI 4 – SUN 6 JAN p BUDDHISM & 12-STEP WEEKEND RETREAT Þ A weekend of meditation, talks, walks in the countryside and plenty of time to discuss our practice of Buddhism, meditation and 12-Step recovery. Led by Sanghasiha & Srivati at Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SUN 6 JAN YOGA & MEDITATION DAY These immersive practice days are essential for boosting inspiration and maintaining a sense of creativity in yoga and meditation. Suitable for beginners and regulars. Led by Garavavati. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online.
SAT 5 JAN FILM NIGHT Kaos (1984). Comic, tragic and visually sumptuous, this vivid evocation of the 19th Century Sicily of Pirandello’s short stories is one of the celebrated Taviani brothers’ finest films. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
STARTS MON 7 JAN HEART OF WISDOM, MIND OF LOVE Þ A six-week drop-in seminar exploring the Sevenfold Puja and the Heart Sutra. With the Sevenfold Puja we ritually evoke the many qualities of the Enlightened mind. In the famous Heart Sutra we hear the voice of liberation speak words of profound wisdom and compassion. These two teachings hold a vital message for us as individuals and as a world. Led by Jnanavaca and Suryagupta. Mon evenings (excl. 21 Jan), 7.15pm – 9.45pm. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 5 & SAT 12 JAN MORNING MEDITATION INTENSIVE: EMBODIED AWARENESS & BEYOND Þ Deepen your exploration of meditation with this two-week drop-in intensive course. Led by Mahamani. 9.30am – 12.30pm. (Doors open at 9.15am). Suggested donation £15. 20
STARTS TUES 8 JAN KNOW YOUR MIND Þ ‘It’s not our bank balance, looks, social status or popularity that determines how happy, free and fulfilled we are in life. What really counts is our state of mind.’ This six-week drop-in course offers a detailed and practical exploration of mental states, how they affect our life and what we can do to improve them. Led by Prajnadevi and Vidyadaka. Tues evenings, 7.15pm – 9.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £11/£6.
SUN 13 JAN PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A class to give parents, non-parents and prospective parents the opportunity to practise together. 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.
STARTS WED 9 JAN MEDITATION STARTER KIT: WORKING ON THE MIND WITH THE MIND Get down to basics and learn meditation from the ground up with eight drop-in classes. A chance for complete beginners to start from scratch and systematically discover the purpose and practice of meditation. We’d really recommend you come to all eight sessions if you can! Led by Garavavati and Maitreyabandhu. Weds evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. Suggested donation £11/£6.
SUN 13 JAN INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION DAY Spend a day discovering how to keep your mind and heart in focus. You’ll learn two meditation practices that cultivate openness, clarity and courage. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online.
FRI 11 – SUN 13 JAN p YOGA & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT A weekend at our Buddhist Retreat Centre in Suffolk, working on deepening our lives through dedicating time to practising yoga and meditation. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Led by Danayutta & Jnanaruchi. At Vajrasana. £215 (£164 concs). Book online.
STARTS MON 14 JAN 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 self-awareness, open-heartedness and spiritual insight. Mon evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £110 (£90 concs). Book online. 21
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
JANUARY
SAT 12 JAN SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR ‘If you know what is truly good for you and understand the possibility of reaching a state of perfect peace, then this is how you need to live.’ Join us for a seminar on the Karaniya Metta Sutta with Vidyadaka exploring the cultivation of love and courage. 10am – 1pm. Followed by café lunch or a walk. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
p Retreat Course
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
JANUARY (Contd.)
p Retreat Course
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
FRI 18 JAN SUB25 CLASS: THE ESSENTIAL REVOLUTION Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. This Spring we’re exploring a central Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, which ‘contains as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know.’ 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘til 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 20 JAN OPEN DAY On these stimulating and lively days, you can get 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. Refreshments are provided and all events are free.
SAT 19 JAN THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Mahamani & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7.
MON 21 JAN MANDALA EVENING: SHINING THE INFINITE LIGHT OF WISDOM The social and political landscape is changing. Societies are, on the one hand, fragmenting whilst, on the other, unifying within a growing culture of consumerism and individualism. How can we create a community that is unified yet diverse, exemplifying real values and being a force for good in the world? Join our Chair, Suryagupta, for her keynote talk to launch the year, concluding with a puja to mark the full moon. Led by Suryagupta. 7.15pm – 9.45pm. By donation.
SAT 19 JAN POETRY EAST WITH JANE YEH An ongoing series of cultural events exploring the meaning and value of the arts. This time Maitreyabandhu interviews the poet Jane Yeh. 7.30pm. £11. Book online. 22
SAT 26 JAN TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD Þ Mornings exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. How can we apply the Dharma to transform ourselves and our communities? Led by Yogaratna. 10am – 1pm. Last Saturday of the month. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 25 – SUN 27 JAN p INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation and the Buddhist vision 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 & Dayanatha. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
SUN 27 JAN 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 and team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 26 JAN 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. SUN 27 JAN £15. Book online. OVER 60’S DAY Þ A chance to practise together, discuss the SAT 26 JAN Dharma and connect. Open to all those YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Þ aged 60 and above with some experience For people who already know some yoga and of the London Buddhist Centre. meditation and want to deepen their practice. Led by Mangala. 10am – 5pm. Led by Danayutta. 3pm – 5.30pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. £25 (£20 concs). Book online. Suggested donation £30. 23
SUN 3 FEB MEDITATION DAY: THE CAVE Come on a journey to ancient India and meet Sumana, a novice monk and disciple of the Buddha, who has taken up residence in The Cave. A day of meditation, ritual and storytelling with imaginative support from The Cave – a short story written by Bhante Sangharakshita. Led by Sanghajit. 11am – 4pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £25.
SAT 2 FEB SUB25 MEDITATION INTENSIVE: LIVING WITH AWARENESS Mindfulness – a defining quality of Buddhism – is a profound practice with far-reaching and surprising results. Spend a morning exploring what it is to be truly aware. 10am – 1pm. Followed by café lunch or walk. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 9 & SAT 16 FEB MORNING MEDITATION INTENSIVE: MASTERING THE MIND Þ Deepen your exploration of meditation with this two-week drop-in intensive course. Led by Dayanatha. 9.30am – 12.30pm. (Doors open at 9.15am). Suggested donation £15.
SAT 2 FEB WHAT IS A MITRA? A morning for those who are considering becoming a Mitra, or would simply like to find out what it means to become one. Come along with your questions! Led by Jayaka and Mahamani. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation.
SAT 9 FEB FILM NIGHT The Hunt (2013) is gripping and dramatic in the best sense. Tensions build in a small Danish community as a lie spins out of control with devastating consequences for one man (played magnificently by Mads Mikkelsen). Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 3 FEB YOGA & MEDITATION DAY These immersive practice days are essential for boosting inspiration and maintaining a sense of creativity in yoga and meditation. Suitable for beginners and regulars. Led by Danayutta. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online. 24
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SUN 10 FEB PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A class to give parents, non-parents and prospective parents the opportunity to practise together. 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 16 FEB THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Mahamani & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 15 FEB SUB25 CLASS: TRANSFORMING HATRED Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. This Spring we’re exploring a central Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, which ‘contains as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know.’ 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘til 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 16 FEB POETRY EAST: THE MAN WITH THE BLUE GUITAR A prolonged meditation on art and transformation, Wallace Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar mixes a hypnotic soundscape with a cry for directly-felt human meaning. Join us for an evening of jazz, song and close-readings of this epic poem. Curated by Maitreyabandhu, with singer-songwriter Taylor Skye, saxophonist Matt Grenz and friends. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
FRI 15 – SUN 17 FEB p PADMALOKA’S GREAT GATHERING FOR MEN Þ Join Jayaka and other men from across Triratna for a weekend exploring essential teachings from the Buddha’s vision of liberation and how to put them into practice in our daily lives. £135 (£95 concs). At Padmaloka in Norfolk. Book online at padmaloka.org.uk
SUN 17 FEB INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION DAY Spend a day discovering how to keep your mind and heart in focus. You’ll learn two meditation practices that cultivate openness, clarity and courage. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online. 25
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
FEBRUARY
p Retreat Course
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
FEBRUARY (Contd.)
p Retreat Course
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SUN 17 FEB 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. Suggested donation £30.
SAT 23 FEB THE PURITY OF ENLIGHTENMENT Þ In preparation for Parinirvana Day, join us for this special Saturday morning devoted to Vajrasattva – the mysterious Buddha of primordial purity, associated with complete letting go and death. We will meditate on this unique figure and celebrate him with a puja. Led by Amalayodhin. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation.
TUES 19 FEB 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 Buddha himself. After Tuesday Night Class. 9.30pm. By donation.
SAT 23 FEB TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD Þ Mornings exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. How can we apply the Dharma to transform ourselves and our communities? Led by Parami. Last Saturday of the month 10am – 1pm. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 22 – SUN 24 FEB p INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation and the Buddhist vision for the first time. Join us to learn two far-reaching meditation practices and live communally in the countryside for a weekend. Led by Saddhaketu & Maitrinita. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
SAT 23 FEB YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Þ For people who already know some yoga and meditation and want to deepen their practice. Led by Garavavati. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online. 26
SUN 24 FEB 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 and team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
STARTS MON 25 FEB 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 self-awareness, open-heartedness and spiritual insight. Mon evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £110 (£90 concs). Book online.
SUN 24 FEB PARINIRVANA DAY This key Buddhist festival marks the final passing of the Buddha two and a half millennia ago. It is an opportunity – not just to reflect on impermanence, but also to rejoice in the example of the Buddha’s life and in the precious opportunity our own lives present us with. This year we will also reflect on the recent death of our own founder and teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita. Led by Suryagupta & Prajnamanas. 10am – 10pm. See full programme nearer the time. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. By donation.
STARTS THU 28 FEB SEVEN-POINT MIND TRAINING Þ The Seven-Point Mind Training offers us a practical, disciplined system from which to work on our minds within the ups and downs of everyday life. In this six-week course we will explore how these trainings can deepen our meditation practice and transform our lives through the development of compassion and wisdom. Led by Jayaka. Thurs evenings, 7.15pm – 9.30pm. £85 (£65 concs). Book online 27
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
FRI 15 MAR SUB25 CLASS: SPIRITUAL MATURITY Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. This Spring we’re exploring a central Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, which ‘contains as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know.’ 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘til 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 1 – SUN 3 MAR p SUB25 RETREAT: BREAKING THROUGH INTO BUDDHAHOOD ‘At times we need considerable energy to overcome obstacles but how, when, and where can we break through?’ A weekend to deepen our engagement with our minds, our lives and the world, through meditation, discussion, friendship and ritual. At Vajrasana. £92 (£50 concs). Book online.
SUN 3 MAR PEOPLE OF COLOUR SANGHA DAY RETREAT A day for people of colour to come together to meditate and be inspired by the Buddha’s teaching. Led by Nandaraja & Maitrinita. 11am – 4pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £25.
SAT 9 MARCH FILM NIGHT Pina (2011). The sudden death of the innovative choreographer Pina Bausch during the making of Wim Wenders’ film of her work turned this beautiful documentary into a deeply poignant cinematic epitaph. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 2 MAR 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.
MON 4 – SAT 9 MAR MEDITATION TOOLKIT: LEVELS OF AWARENESS Þ ‘The object of meditation is to transform oneself, not to have good meditations.’ The key to this transformation is awareness, but what are we becoming aware of? Find out over six lunchtime drop-in classes. Come to all six classes or just as many as you can. Led by Vidyadaka. Every day, 1pm – 2pm. By donation.
SUN 10 MAR PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A class to give parents, non-parents and prospective parents the opportunity to practise together. 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 – SUN 17 MAR p SANGHA INTENSIVE WEEKEND: THE MIND UNLEASHED Þ Inherent in consciousness is a yearning for freedom. Our minds want to expand, but usually we are trapped within self-created limitations. On this retreat for those who are consistently deepening their Dharma practice at the LBC, we will explore ways to transcend these limitations and move towards freedom. At Vajrasana. £195/154. Book online.
SAT 9 & SAT 16 MAR MORNING MEDITATION INTENSIVE: EXPANDING THE HEART-MIND Þ Deepen your exploration of meditation with this two-week drop-in intensive course. Led by Nandaraja. 9.30am – 12.30pm. (Doors open at 9.15am). Suggested donation £15.
SUN 10 MARCH INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION DAY Spend a day discovering how to keep your mind and heart in focus. You’ll learn two meditation practices that cultivate openness, clarity and courage. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online.
SAT 16 MAR THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Mahamani & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 3 MAR DEEP ECOLOGY DAY Þ A day of practice exploring our relationship with the natural world through ritual, sound meditation, talks, poetry, music and discussion. Led by Sanghasiha & Satyadasa. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. 28
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London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
MARCH
p Retreat Course
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
MARCH (Contd.)
p Retreat Course
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SAT 16 MARCH POETRY EAST WITH OWEN SHEERS An ongoing series of cultural events exploring the meaning and value of the arts. This time Maitreyabandhu interviews the poet and playwright Owen Sheers. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
FRI 22 – SUN 24 MAR p INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT An ideal way to encounter meditation and the Buddhist vision for the first time. Join us to learn two far-reaching meditation practices and live communally in the countryside for a weekend. Led by Suvarnajyoti & Dayanatha. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
STARTS WED 20 MAR LIFE WITH FULL ATTENTION: A PRACTICAL COURSE IN MINDFULNESS Mindfulness is about living fully and vividly, without rumination or distraction. An eightweek systematic approach to mindfulness and authentic happiness, starting with applying mindfulness to everyday life and culminating in mindfulness of the nature of reality. Maitreyabandhu’s book Life with Full Attention will be our guide to daily practice. Led by Subhadramati and team. Weds evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £150 (£120concs). Price includes the book. Book online.
SAT 23 MAR SUB25 MEDITATION INTENSIVE: LIVING WITH KINDNESS Imaginative empathy and kindness are fundamental and powerful human qualities. Spend a morning exploring the path that leads to an open and courageous heart. 10am – 1pm. Followed by café lunch or walk. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
THURS 21 MAR 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 Buddha himself. After Thursday Night Class. 8.45pm. By donation.
SAT 23 MARCH YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Þ For people who already know some yoga and meditation and want to deepen their practice. Led by Danayutta. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online. 30
SUN 24 – FRI 29 MAR p WORKING RETREAT A low-cost mid-week retreat with the emphasis of living and working together. The retreat will include work periods, study, discussion and meditation. Led by Jnanaruchi, Sudurjaya & Priyavajra. £113 (£87 concs). Book online. SAT 30 MARCH TRANSFORMING SELF AND WORLD Þ Mornings exploring a Buddhist perspective on the social issues of the day. How can we apply the Dharma to transform ourselves and our communities? Led by Sujhayini. 10am – 1pm. Last Saturday of the month. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 31 MARCH 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 and team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 30 MARCH FILM NIGHT Love and Friendship (2016). Perhaps no film highlights Jane Austen’s wit with such flair as this adaptation of Lady Susan; charming, outrageous, often hilarious and beautifully played by an excellent cast. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 31 MARCH BUDDHISM & 12-STEP RECOVERY Þ A day for people interested in Buddhism and meditation who are also in 12-Step Recovery Groups. Led by Sanghasiha. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £30. 31
FRI 5 – SUN 7 APRIL p WOMEN’S WEEKEND Þ On this weekend we will be exploring the relationship between the historical Buddha and the archetypal, mythic realm. We will do this by exploring the qualities associated with the mandala of female Buddhas. Led by Mahamani and Padmalila. At Vajrasana. £195 (£154 concs). Book online.
STARTS MON 8 APR 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 self-awareness, open-heartedness and spiritual insight. Mon evenings, 7.15pm – 9.45pm. £110 (£90 concs). Book online.
SAT 6 APRIL PAN-LONDON TRIRATNA MORNING: A LOTUS REALM In these polarised times we might ask ourselves what values we live by and how they contribute to wider global concerns. The Triratna Buddhist Community, founded by Urgyen Sangharakshita, is just over 50 years old. Its activities take place in Buddhist Centres across the globe. How are these Centres relevant in today’s world? Chairs and council members from each of the London Centres will give short talks on how they believe Triratna’s Buddhist Centres are benefiting London and the world, and what work they feel is still to be done. 10am – 12.30pm. By donation.
FRI 12 – SUN 14 APR p YOGA & MEDITATION WEEKEND RETREAT A weekend at our Buddhist Retreat Centre in Suffolk, working on deepening our lives through dedicating time to practising yoga and meditation. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. At Vajrasana. £215 (£164 concs). Book online. SAT 13 & SAT 20 APRIL MORNING MEDITATION INTENSIVE: DEEPENING INTO BEAUTY Þ Deepen your exploration of meditation with this two-week drop-in intensive course. Led by Pranjamala. 9.30am – 12.30pm. (Doors open at 9.15am). Suggested donation £15.
SAT 6 APRIL YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Þ For people who already know some yoga and meditation and want to deepen their practice. Led by Garavavati. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online. 32
Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices. SUN 14 APRIL INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION DAY Spend a day discovering how to keep your mind and heart in focus. You’ll learn two meditation practices that cultivate openness, clarity and courage. 10am – 5pm. £40 (£30 concs). Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Book online.
SAT 13 APR 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.
FRI 19 – SUN 28 APRIL p SPRING RETREAT: THE PATH TO FREEDOM Buddhist practice is primarily about moving beyond self-clinging and freeing ourselves from suffering. This freedom of heart and mind is the most profound gift we can give ourselves and the most valuable contribution we can make to the world around us. It arises out of establishing ourselves deeply and sincerely in the path of practice. Join us for an exploration of the Buddha’s path to freedom in the context of retreat. A retreat for newcomers, or those in their first two years of practice. Led by Danayutta & Akashamitra. At Vajrasana. £461 (£349 concs). Book online.
SAT 13 APR SUB25 BREAKFAST SEMINAR Devamitra was ordained over 40 years ago and is a senior member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Join us for a seminar with him on the short, fascinating and unique Pabbajja Sutta. This early text gives a vivid account of the Buddha-to-be at the beginning of his quest for Enlightenment, coming face-to-face with a king. 10am – 1pm. Followed by café lunch or walk. For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
FRI 19 APR SUB25 CLASS: CONQUERING CRAVING Meditation, Buddhism and discussion led by a group of young Buddhists, with an experienced teacher joining us each month. This Spring we’re exploring a central Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, which ‘contains as much of the Buddha’s teaching as most of us really need to know.’ 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘til 10.30pm). For those aged 16 – 25. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 14 APR PARENT DROP-IN DHARMA A class to give parents, non-parents and prospective parents the opportunity to practise together. 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. 33
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
APRIL
p Retreat Course
p Retreat Course
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
APRIL (Contd.)
‘Find the truth, and then live by it.’ Sangharakshita
FRI 19 APRIL FULL MOON PUJA In coming together for a ritual on the full moon of each month, we are joining Buddhists across the world in a tradition that goes back to the Buddha himself. Part of usual Friday class – doors open 8.45pm, puja 9pm. By donation. Þ Suitable only if you’ve been taught the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices.
SAT 20 APR THIRD SATURDAY WOMEN’S CLASS Þ A meditation and Buddhism class for women. Discuss the Dharma, deepen the mind, cultivate friendship. Led by Mahamani & Padmalila. 3pm – 5.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £7.
SUN 28 APRIL 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 and team. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Last Sunday of every month. Suggested donation £7.
SAT 27 APRIL YOGA FOR MEDITATION AFTERNOON Þ For people who already know some yoga and meditation and want to deepen their practice. Led by Danayutta. 3pm – 5.30pm. £25 (£20 concs). Book online.
SUN 28 APRIL WORKING WITH THE HINDRANCES: DOUBT, SLOTH AND TORPOR Þ On this day we will explore these mental hindrances and their antidotes, both in meditation and in discussion of how they manifest in our daily lives. Led by Jnanadaya. 10am – 5pm. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested donation £30.
SAT 27 APRIL FILM NIGHT Ida (2014). In just 75 minutes Pawlikowski penetrates the hearts of his characters with extraordinary insight and warmth. Its stark beauty is unique, its conclusion sublime. Led by Devamitra. 7.15pm. Suggested donation £7. 34
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SAT 19 JAN POETRY EAST WITH JANE YEH Born in New Jersey, Jane Yeh’s first poetry collection, Marabou (Carcanet, 2005), was shortlisted for the Whitbread, Forward, and Aldeburgh poetry prizes. Her second collection, The Ninjas, was published by Carcanet in 2012. She was named a Next Generation poet by the Poetry Book Society in 2014. Her third collection is forthcoming. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
Led by a group of young Buddhists, these events are a great way to discover meditation and find out more about the teaching of the Buddha in a way that’s relevant in your everyday life THIRD FRIDAY SUB25 CLASS 18 JAN: The Essential Revolution 15 FEB: Transforming Hatred 15 MAR: Spiritual Maturity 19 APR: Conquering Craving 7.15pm – 9.45pm (Tea and cake ‘til 10.30pm). Suggested donation £7.
Maitreyabandhu in conversation with Antony Gormley
SAT 16 FEB POETRY EAST: THE MAN WITH THE BLUE GUITAR ‘The belief in poetry is a magnificent fury, or it is nothing’ – Wallace Stevens. A prolonged meditation on art and transformation, Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar mixes a hypnotic soundscape with a cry for directly-felt human meaning. Join us for an evening of jazz, song and close-readings of this epic poem. Curated by Maitreyabandhu, with singer-songwriter Taylor Skye, saxophonist Matt Grenz and friends. 7.30pm. £11. Book online.
SAT 16 MARCH POETRY EAST WITH OWEN SHEERS Owen Sheers is a novelist, poet and playwright. His BAFTA and Grierson nominated film-poem The Green Hollow was published by Faber. To Provide All People, a BBC film-poem was commissioned to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS. His one-man play Unicorns, Almost about the life and poetry of WWII poet Keith Douglas, was performed at the Hay Festival. A stage version of Pink Mist premiered at Bristol Old Vic. 7.30pm. £11. Book online. 36
SUB25 SATURDAY MORNINGS 12 JAN: Breakfast Seminar: Karaniya Metta Sutta 2 FEB: Meditation Intensive: Living with Awareness 23 MAR: Meditation Intensive: Living with Kindness 13 APR: Breakfast Seminar: Pabbajja Sutta 10am – 1pm. Followed by café lunch or walk. Suggested donation £7. SUB25 RETREATS FRI 1 – SUN 3 MAR Sub25 Retreat: Breaking through into Buddhahood At Vajrasana in Suffolk. £92/£50. Book online.
Turn to the monthly listing pages to find out more about the events on this page.
Editor: Gus Miller Design and cover photo: Idoia Acha Contributor portraits: Gus Miller, Satyaraja and Evgeniy Kazannik All other photography (unless otherwise stated): Barbora Benesova Proofreading: Barry Copping Thank you: Taylor Skye, Devamitra, Suvajra, Alokavira, Mokshajyoti, Amaradaya and Clear Vision Trust
To join the mailing list or to ask any questions, you can contact the Sub25 team on Sub25@lbc.org.uk. 37
London Buddhist Centre | Jan – Apr 2019
PoetryEast at the London Buddhist Centre, hosted by Maitreyabandhu, explores the meaning and value of the arts.
Urgyen Sangharakshita ‘Bhante’ 26.08.1925 – 30.10.2018 1947
Goes Forth from the British army in India, burns his passport and becomes a homeless wanderer.
1950 Receives Theravada Bhikkhu ordination. 1956
On the death of Dr B R Ambedkar, consoles 100,000 of his followers in Nagpur, effectively continuing Ambedkar’s revival of Buddhism in India.
1957 A Survey of Buddhism is published. 1962
Receives Bodhisattva ordination from Dhardo Rimpoche.
1964
Returns to the UK.
© Suvajra
1967/8 Founds the FWBO and WBO (now Triratna).
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1978
Opens the LBC, the ‘flagship’ centre of the Movement.
2000
Hands over the last of his responsibilities to a group of senior Order members.
2013
Takes residence at Adhisthana where he is now interred.