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.
New theme for 2019: Skillful Action -“Cease to do Evil, Learn to do Good, Purify the Heart!”
If you missed the launch talk where Singhamati introduced the new theme, or would like to listen again, it’s here.
Exploring the Precepts: Personal Practice and Perspectives
The first series in our new theme takes us deeper into the practice of ethics. Each week after meditation we will have the privilege of hearing two short personal talks from members of our sangha who will share their practice of and perspective on one of the precepts. This will be followed by discussion in small groups where we can explore further how we ourselves can deepen our practice of ethics.
21 February. The First Precept: “I undertake the training principle of abstaining from taking life. With deeds of loving-kindness, I purify my body.” with talks from Shuddhakirti and Eve.
28 February. The Second Precept: “I undertake the training principle of abstaining from taking the not-given. With open-handed generosity, I purify my body.” with talks from Paul and Jo.
7 March. Join Singhamati for the launch of our new appeal.
14 March. The Third Precept: “I undertake the training principle of abstaining from sexual misconduct. With stillness, simplicity and contentment, I purify my body.” with talks from Pasannamati and Veronica.
21 March. The Fourth Precept: “I undertake the training principle of abstaining from false speech. With truthful communication, I purify my speech.” with talks from Prajnabandhu and Xen.
28 March. The Fifth Precept: “I undertake the training principle of abstaining from taking intoxicants. With mindfulness clear and radiant, I purify my mind.” with talks from Karunavajra and Roz.
4 April. Puja with Mitra Ceremonies, led by Singhamati
Join us for this celebratory evening witnessing new members of our community:
Anna, Claire, Helen, Mick, Rafa and Tracey
making this commitment to practise Buddhism by becoming Mitras (friends of the Triratna Buddhist Order). This simple yet meaningful ritual takes place in the context of a Threefold Puja.
11 April. Visiting speaker: Kalyanaprabha
Kalyanaprabha will be known to some of you from her years living in Birmingham. Please join us to give her a warm welcome as she visits to share her many years of experience and deep love of the Dharma.