Thursdays 7.00 for 7.30pm
Hosted by Singhamati and Team
At the heart of the Birmingham Buddhist Centre is a community of people that are exploring and practising Buddhism – this is the sangha. Every Thursday night is Sangha Night, where we come together each week to create a nourishing place of friendship, connection and depth, whilst enjoying collective meditation, Dharma and devotional practice. Like most of our events, it is run on a donation basis.
The programme is usually:
7.30pm Meditation, 8.20pm Tea, 8.45pm Talks and Discussion, 9.45pm Tidy up and finish.
You can find talks from previous seasons on our Talks Page.
2019 Theme: Skillful Action “Cease to do Evil, Learn to do Good, Purify the Heart.”
26 September – Talk: “The Tools of Transformation” by Singhamati
Singhamati recently hosted the Triratna International Retreat at Adhisthana which was exploring the theme of Alchemy of the Dharma. In this talk she’ll be sharing some of her reflections on this theme, as well as offering images and symbols that can help guide us in knowing what tools are needed on the path of transformation.
3 October: Total Immersion Meditation Evening. Led by Shuddhakirti.
Join Shuddhakirti for this precious opportunity to immerse yourself in an evening of meditation. There will be an optional tea break at the end of the evening with the practice session finishing around 9.15pm.
10 October : Puja with Mitra Ceremonies
A couple of times a year we gather together as a community to celebrate and welcome those who wish to become Mitras (friends) of Triratna. Becoming a Mitra is a commitment to practising as a Buddhist in this community and the ceremony happens within the content of a Threefold Puja. Please join us! Programme: 7.35 meditation, 8.00 Mitra Ceremonies (for Andrew, Chris, Craig, Matty and Sarah), 9.15 Tea Break.
17 October – Visiting Speaker and Book Launch: “Unfolding: How I became a Buddhist and What I did Next” by Padmasuri
Padmasuri is a senior dharmacharini, a member of the college of Public Preceptors and one of three dharmacharinis who conducted the first Public Ordinations of women by women in 1987. She recently wrote an intimate account of her early life, which captures the flavour of the times she lived through. Her account goes on to share about her life in the Triratna Buddhist Community, giving a sort of history of the ups and downs of a young Buddhist movement in the 1970s and 80s and up to the present day. Singhamati will be interviewing her. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to meet Padmasuri and hear more about her unfolding, as well as the unfolding of our community. And copies of Padmasuri’s book will be available to buy.
24 October – Visiting Speaker: “How to really change the world” by Amalavajra
Our 2019 Theme is Skillful Action “Cease to do Evil, Learn to do Good, Purify the Heart.” But how to really do Good? In this world of unintended consequences what can we trust? Amalavajra is a former investment banker, now working for FutureDharma Fund, which seeds and strengthens Triratna sanghas around the world.
31 October – Marking the first anniversary of the death of Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community