We meet every Wednesday from 7:15 pm to 9:30 pm for our Sangha Night (Community Night) at the Quaker Meeting House, opposite the Job Centre on St Andrew’s Street North.
Everyone is welcome to come along, whatever their level of experience.
COMMUNITY NIGHT
Time: 7.15pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Quaker Meeting House, St Andrew’s Street North, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SJ
What we do
The class format is usually meditation followed by a talk or discussion on an aspect of Buddhist practice. If you are new to meditation we can offer full instruction and support.
Although our evenings do follow a coherent programme, each evening is self contained, so it is not necessary to have attended previous evenings in the programme – come along any time.
What to bring
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing a bottle of water. The classes are by donation. To cover our costs we would suggest you give £5 if you can. However, if you cannot afford that amount, for whatever reason, then please do not let that stop you coming along – we would be very pleased to meet you!
2020
UPCOMING DATES (ALL ARE WEDNESDAYS):
6 WEEK COURSE: REVOLUTIONISE YOUR LIFE
5 Feb Pali Sutta on Speech
Traditional Buddhist teachings on how to talk to each other – This evening we will be looking at the exact words the Buddha used to demonstrate how to speak to each other. He didn’t just sit under a tree meditating all the time – The Buddha revolutionised ancient Indian life and we’ll start looking at how he did this!
12 Feb Speech Precepts
The Buddhist view on gossip and lies! What did the Buddha say about how our speech influences our lives? Surprise, surprise, he wasn’t a fan of lie sand gossiping, which was as popular then as now, come and see what the Buddha said about to work with such things!
4 WEEK COURSE: THE HEAVENLY ABODES
Brahmaviharas is the Buddhist name for a set of four emotional states: friendliness, compassion, joy and equanimity.
These 4 things are sometimes known as the “divine abodes”, or “divine emotions”. In this four week course, we will look at how to balance these four emotions in our daily social contact to help us remove tension, make peace in conflict and heal relationship wounds.
19 Feb Loving Kindness – Metta
26 Feb Compassion – Karuna
4 Mar Sympathic Joy – Mudita
11 Mar Equanimity – Upeksha
7 WEEK COURSE: HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE
In this course we will explore how our actions, words and thoughts effect our lives
18 Mar Taking Life / Loving Kindness
25 Mar Taking the not given / Generosity
1 Apr Sexual misconduct / Contentment
8 Apr False speech / Truthful communication
15 Apr Intoxicants / Mindfulness
22 Apr Right Vision
29 Apr Prapanca
VAJRASANA RETREAT CENTRE
We are very lucky to have the beautiful Vajrasana Retreat Centre right on our doorstep. Vajrasana is an oasis of peace in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Oliver Wainwright of The Guardian described it as a ‘magnificent, modern Buddhist haven’. We hold a wide-range of regular events for those who are interested in exploring their practice deeper.
ONE OFF EVENTS
TBC
PUJA EVENINGS
The Shrine Room at Vajrasana Retreat Centre We hold a regular (more or less monthly) Puja evening at the beautiful Vajrasana retreat centre in Walsham-le-Willows.
UPCOMING DATES (ALL ARE MONDAYS):
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Venue: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Potash Farm, Walsham-le-Willows, IP31 3AR
What we do
A typical Puja evening starts with time for a cup of tea and a chat, includes a period of meditation (sometimes preceded by a short talk), and ends with a Buddhist ritual (usually the Sevenfold Puja).
Our Puja evenings are open to anyone who is familiar with Triratna meditation practices.
What to bring
Recommended: A bottle of water
Optional: If you have your own meditation gear, you’re welcome to bring it. Otherwise, various seating options will be provided.
There’s no need to book; just come along. We look forward to seeing you there!
CHANTING EVENINGS
UPCOMING DATES:
Monday 24 February
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Venue: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Potash Farm, Walsham-le-Willows, IP31 3AR
What we do
We chant traditional Buddhist devotional mantras with the purpose of calming the mind and opening the heart. Open to all.
What to bring
Recommended: A bottle of water
Optional: If you have your own meditation gear, you’re welcome to bring it. Otherwise, various seating options will be provided.
There’s no need to book; just come along. We look forward to seeing you there!
GARDENING DAYS
UPCOMING DATES:
3 Mar Gardening Day 10am – 4pm
Venue: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Potash Farm, Walsham-le-Willows, IP31 3AR
What we do
The gardens at Vajrasana help to create its tranquil atmosphere, which benefits everyone who goes on retreat there. Keeping the gardens looking beautiful is a lot of work, and the gardener at Vajrasana, Dridhakarin, really appreciates our help.
A day like this is a great opportunity to spend time with like-minded people, cultivating not only plants, but also friendships! Everyone is welcome, so please feel free to invite your friends.
What to bring
If you’d like to come and join in the fun, please wear comfortable clothing and bring vegetarian food to share for lunch. Please let Dridhakarin know you’re planning on coming by emailing him at dridhakarin@gmail.com.