Download the essentials of Buddhism and meditation

the essentials of Buddhism and meditation
a six week course at the glasgow buddhist centre
the essentials of Buddhism and meditation
a six week course at the glasgow buddhist centre
During these six weeks we will be exploring meditation through two simple practices –
awareness of our breath and the cultivation of kindness.
We will also be looking into the principles of Buddhism through the ‘three jewels’ - the
awakened human being, the teachings and the friendship of fellow practitioners. These
are the ideals that lie at the heart of this 2500 year old tradition and in the heart of every
Buddhist. Orientating ourselves towards them makes us a Buddhist.
The word Buddha refers to someone who has awakened from ignorance and its resulting
greed and hatred – someone who has grown into a fully developed human being. This
the aim of every Buddhist and every Buddhist practice. The Buddha statue on our shrine
symbolises both the historical person whose original vision started Buddhism and the
potential we all have to attain what he attained.
The Dharma is on one level the teachings of the Buddha, his advice on how to grow
spiritually. This is the path and we will be looking at the simplest formulation of this, the
threefold path of ethics, meditation and wisdom. On a deeper level the Dharma is reality
itself, ‘the way things really are’ as Buddhists are fond of saying.
The Sangha is the community of practicing Buddhists – the support and inspiration we
receive from others and the friendship we share. In its highest sense the Sangha is the
communication of awakened beings. On everyday terms it is us getting along and helping
each other live out our ideals.
an outline of the course –
session 1 - meditation: posture and body awareness
buddhism: the basics and the path
session 2 - meditation: awareness of the body and breath
buddhism: the Buddha, historical and ideal
session 3 - meditation: the mindfulness of breathing
buddhism: the dharma, part 1 – ethics
session 4 - meditation: the metta bhavana
buddhism: the dharma, part 2 – meditation
session 5 - meditation: the metta bhavana
buddhism: the dharma, part 3 – wisdom
session 6 - meditation: working creatively
buddhism: the sangha, the fellowship of practitioners,
and summary
a recommended reading list
have a look at some of these, they should be in the centre’s bookshop. If they’re not
they can be ordered for you.
basic introductions –
Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling - a regular best seller over the last 17 years,
a clear and basic introduction to the essential teachings of mainstream Buddhism.
Principles of Buddhism by Kulananda – another simple introductory guide.
meditation –
Wild Mind: A Step-by step Guide to Meditation by Bodhipaksa – a practical approach
developed from his popular on-line course.
Change Your Mind by Paramananda – a very accessible meditation guide, complete
with poems and stories to keep you inspired.
The Breath & The Heart by Vessantara, and The Body by Paramananda – a set of
thorough but friendly little books; one on the mindfulness of breathing, one on
loving kindness and one on posture and awareness of the body.
wider reading –
The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path by Sangharakshita– an inspiring and informative
guide to the Buddhist path from the founder of the FWBO
Happiness by Matthieu Ricard – a personal as well as scientific look at happiness
from a French former scientist and monk within the Tibetan tradition.
What Makes You Not A Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse – a punchy no
nonsense look at Buddhism from this radical modern Tibetan lama.
Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha’s Teachings by Ajahn Chah – from the
famous Thai meditation master and teacher of many modern Buddhists.
Zen Mind, Beginners’ Mind by Shunryu Suzuki – short evocations of the qualities of
the meditative mind from a Zen perspective You can either download the complete
course material here or select from the individual sessions below.