Seminars+Retreats
The Unity of Buddhism - the WBO Perspective4 April, 6pm to 9 April, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Saramati and Sagaramati
For Order members, particularly those involved in Dharma teaching.
Is there really a “Unity of Buddhism”—-historically, doctrinally, methodologically, transcendentally? Or is this just an idea peculiar to Sangharakshita’s understanding of the Dharma? Does it matter? Why—or why not? Is the quest for some sense of unity desirable, or even appropriate, in these culturally diverse and pluralistic times? And if so, what contemporary expression might this unity take. Can we continue to practice within the Western Buddhist Order without coming to terms with these questions more deeply?
How Karma works - and why
1 May, 6pm to 6 May, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Saramati and Aryadeva
For Order members, particularly those involved in Dharma teaching.
What connects a given karma with its subsequent vipaka? What goes on in between? Is this deterministic? Can we really change the overall, cumulative trajectory of all our past actions? How? How has the Buddhist tradition sought to explain the seemingly mysterious process of conditionality that persists over time even in the absence of any enduring “self” or agent of our actions. And what about actions we perform “unconsciously” or without any conscious intention? Have they no karmic significance? Or are they perhaps the most karmically weighty of all?
The Drama of Cosmic Enlightenment
Themes from the Lotus Sutra
7 May, 6pm to 15 May, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Cittapala and Dhammaloka
For Mitras and Order members.
Taking Sangharakshita’s “Parables, Myths and legends of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra” as read, we’ll explore the powerful allegorical stories and imaginal symbols the Sutra uses to communicate its key themes. We’ll investiage the historical context from which the White Lotus Sutra emerged and how it became one of the most important texts for Far Eastern Buddhism.
The Life of the Buddha
16 May, 6pm to 21 May, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Vishvapani and Dhivan
Open to all.
The Buddha’s life is at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. Going beyond the well known stories and quotations, this seminar will explore the Buddha’s impact on individuals and his society and include a meditative and devotional element, as well as talks and discussion.
Views, Obsessions & Realities
Moving from Wrong View … to Right View … to No View
27 May, 6pm to 01 June, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Jnanaketu and Saramati
Open for all with good basic knowledge of the Dharma and a regular practice of meditation.
Sangharakshita: “Right View is of very great importance… no Right View, no Perfect Vision. If there is no Perfect Vision, there is no liberation, no Enlightenment, no Nirvana, no real spiritual progress.”
So what’s the difference between a wrong view and a right view? And why do we need to abandon all views? What does the Pali Canon say about this? And how is that connected to the later tradition? Can we have certainty in the spiritual life? Why do we want it? Should we want it?
Mapping the Mind … Landkarten des Geistes
Sorry, this seminar from our printed programme had to be postponed. We have replaced it by:
Karma - was ist das, wie funktioniert es?
17 June to 22 June, in Vimaladhatu, Germany
Mit Saramati, Dhammaloka und Nagadakini
For an English description of the seminar, please look here.
Für alle mit guten Grundkenntnissen im Dharma und einer regelmäßigen Meditationspraxis.
Was verbindet ein bestimmtes karma mit dem von ihm bewirkten vipaka? Was passiert in der Zwischenzeit? Handelt es sich dabei um Determinismus? Können wir die allgemeine, kumulative Schubkraft unserer vergangenen Taten wirklich verändern? Wenn ja, wie? Wie erklärte die buddhistische Überlieferung das anscheinend mysteriöse Geschehen der Bedingtheit über lange Zeitläufte hinweg? Was besagt dabei die Abwesenheit eines beständigen “Selbst” oder eines Akteurs im Handeln? Wie verhält es sich mit “unbewussten” oder unabsichtlichen Taten? Sind sie karmisch bedeutungslos … oder vielleicht sogar noch gewichtiger?
Buddhism and the Greeks: Nirvana or Ataraxia?
22 June, 6pm to 29 June, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Sagaramati and Jnanaketu
Greek philosophy is said to be A Way of Life rather then a bunch of interesting and clever ideas. Can a familiarity with Greek philosophy – as a pre-Christian Western philosophical tradition – help Western Buddhists to understand Buddhism?This exploration of affinities in Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, and Pyrrhonian Scepticism will bring alive some essential ideas that will strongly suggest that it can.
Satipatthana - an Exploration in Theory and Practice
30 June, 6pm to 13 July, morning at Taraloka Retreat Centre, UK
With Aryadeva and Vajradevi
For Order members.
This seminar explores aspects of Satipatthana from the Satipatthana Sutta by trying to understand what is being said there regarding the goal of this practice and how to practice Satipatthana. The first part will be study based and the second part an intensive meditation retreat where we will put into practice various dimensions of Satipatthana as an insight practice.
The study will be led by Aryadeva. All participants will be guided in their practice through meditation interviews by either Aryadeva or Vajradevi.
What makes you not a Buddhist?
10 September, 2pm to 14 September, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Vajrasakhi, Vajradarshini, and Dhammaloka
For Order members, particularly those involved in Dharma teaching.
“The unconditioned is reached … by going right to the bottom of the conditioned and coming out the other side.”
In his book What makes you not a Buddhist, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse questions whether we truly accept the laksanas, and realise that Nirvana is not a place: if you don’t you are not a Buddhist!
This experiential seminar on the laksanas and the vimoksas will explore ways how we can bring to life, and communicate, the vital insight that makes us Buddhist.
Conditioned Arising - the Buddha’s Core Teaching
10 October, 6pm to 17 October, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Sagaramati, Kulaprabha, and Dhammaloka
For Order members.
The doctrine of Conditioned-Arising is the only doctrine associated with the Buddha’s Awakening. It can be shown to underpin whatever goes by the name of the Dharma, regardless of place and time.
The enquiry into both the samsaric and nirvanic aspects of Conditioned-Arising will be supported by sessions of meditation and guided reflection.
An Introduction to the Yogacara of Asanga
27 October, 6pm, to 03 November, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Saramati and Sagaramati
Open for all serious practitioners with a regular practice of meditation.
The Yogacara Buddhism of Asanga offers arguably the most integrated synthesis of canonical Buddhist ethics, Abhidharma psychology, and the Mahayana’s dual emphasis on critical wisdom and compassionate activity in the world. Asanga’s “Compendium of the Mahayana” (Mahayana-samgraha) is perhaps the earliest prototype for the later Indo-Tibetan “lam-rim” tradition, offering a comprehensive overview of the complete bodhisattva path. Through a close reading of key passages from all ten chapters of this seminal work, we’ll gain a solid grounding in the key concepts of classical Yogacara thought and practice.
Buddhism and Nature
13 November, 6pm to 16 November, 2pm, at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham
With Kamalashila, Guhyapati, Akuppa, and Saramati
Open to all.
What are traditional Buddhist views of nature and its place in the quest for awakening? How can enhanced awareness of nature deepen our practice of the Dharma? Does any of this have a bearing on contemporary concerns for the environment? In what way does Sangharakshita think these questions should be taken more seriously by contemporary Buddhists? Is there, or could there be, an explicitly Buddhist environmental ethic? Join us to explore these questions and more.
The Jewel of the Dharma
The central section of Sangharakshita’s „The Three Jewels“
25 November, 6pm to 30 November, 2pm
With Sagaramati
For all interested in challenging Dharma enquiry.
Looking at various books on Buddhism, the Dharma section of The Three Jewels stands out as a most thoughtful, thorough, and engaging piece of writing on the Buddha’s Dharma. Its pithiness and clarity make it an ideal text to study: its conciseness engages the mind, whilst its clarity directs the mind.