A forum for Buddhist groups to publicise their activities.
Please take note of the following:
- The What's On page is intended primarily for NBO member groups to post information about their forthcoming events and activities. We do however recognise that certain events cross over membership boundaries, and we invite non-members to contribute any items which they feel to be of sufficient interest to Buddhists nationwide.
- We do not have the resources to repeat large amounts of information, particularly that which can be found on websites elsewhere, and any contribution is more likely to be posted if it is kept concise, with a link to a relevant site where detailed information is readily available.
- Similarly we are not able to post individual items from local groups of national member organisations.
- Copy should be submitted in a Word document attached to an e-mail addressed to
- To enhance your listing you may submit one relevant image, attached to the same email.
- If you supply a street name or postcode of your venue, we can provide a link to a map/routefinder.
- Submission of material does not guarantee publication.
- Every effort will be made to post information as soon as possible after receipt of copy.
- Please indicate which of the regions you wish your notice to appear.
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Click on a region, either on the map or on the list of links above to go to the region you want to look at, |
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You will note we have started putting links to a webpage showing venue locations, with the option of entering your own address to work out a route. Please note that the locations shown on the maps are those of street names or postcodes, and do not neccessarily point exactly to the precise address of the event. |
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There are entries from Ken Jones’s’ 2008 Retreat Calendar filed under the appropriate region.
You will find them in South West, North West and Wales
Ken's phone number is 01970 880603 for more information
Scotland List your regional events here
2008 Edinburgh International Festival of Middle EasternSpirituality and Peace, MESP 2008 |
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The 2008 Festival runs from 1-11 March 2008, with pre-events the week before. |
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Full details from The MESP website |
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May 31 – June 6 2008 at the Maenllwyd Retreat Centre ~ Ken Jones |
The Liberative Path of Emotiponal Awareness –“A bit of skill you can carry around with you” – Dogen We shall work with emotional awareness and transformation as a fundamental life practice. In an atmosphere of openness and trust we will enter into whatever may be discomfiting us. For booking details please go to www.westernchanfellowship.org/retreats.html |
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WESTERN CHAN FELLOWSHIP 2008 PROGRAMME |
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Retreats at the Maenllwyd Retreat Centre
** This retreat will be held at the Golden Buddha Centre in Devon
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Buddhist Forum for the South East (B.F.S.E.)
Sun 15th Jun 2008, 10:30 am at the Buddhist Society
NHS Chaplaincy Group
Guest speaker will be Keith Munnings, Chair of the West Midlands Buddhist Council and of the Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy Group. We will hear about the latest developments and further NHS Chaplaincy training will be provided for those who are interested
Meeting Report: London and South East Buddhist Forum Meeting 24th May 2008
Teenagers, Families and Schools
Sister Cittapala and Ven Amaranatho from Amaravati Monastery
Sister Cittapala and Ven Amaranatho gave a very interesting talk about their work with young people and families at Amaravati Monastery. This was accompanied by a very useful slide show and video clips using the modern technology that is now available and which is also very useful in reaching out to young people.
We saw clips of the family camp at Amaravati showing groups playing games, art, exercise and movements and western style singing as well as pujas. They have a 10 day summer retreat and a 3 day creative weekend where the young people design a magazine amongst other events.
They made it clear that the framework of all meetings is in the spirit of enquiry. They don’t “teach” Buddhism, just try to respond in a truthful way with what is important for the people they meet in a playful, creative way. Not just one way. This includes questioning beliefs. They find too that parents often have a strong idea of what children need to learn – the children don’t always agree! It is wise for children and parents to be in different groups.
They see that gang culture indicates a need for a safe community and that young people need physical outlets so Cittapala and Amaranatho try to meet the young people where they are in their own place of psycho-spiritual development. They see the importance of relating to the young peoples physical, spiritual, cultural and emotional needs. Also it wise for the facilitators to be in a male/female combination.
They have found that short meditations fairly early in the day best suit the youthful energies. However not too early as young people like to stay up late! There is a theme with Dharma content influenced by the work of Ken Wilbur. However, they do not want something separately Buddhist, just for it to be part of the content of activities so that they can digest Dharma in their own ways. They play sutra games, guided and contemplative meditations for example on the smell of an essential oil and like/dislike games. Some need to be non-verbal. The more experienced youngsters lead question and answer sessions. They also point to further Dharma information on websites for those who wish to learn more. Eg. www.dharmaplayer.com and in the near future ADVAN
They tackle any issues that arise straight on. This means a lot of support is needed preferably a 1:4 ratio. Sadly many adults are frightened of this youthful energy. The atmosphere needs to be safe and supportive, precepts to be about supporting life rather than commandments and morality. It is important to know the background of each young person and exclusion is used rarely and no punishment imposed; instead they choose their own punishments.
If we are considering working with young people they suggest the following:
- Share Dharma from own experience
- Learn from the young people
- Use technology
- Use modern day stories to illustrate the stories in the sutras
- Chant in foreign languages
- Allow feedback
- Above all – listen to them and they will learn the Dharma.
Child Protection
- Must have a policy, need to know rules and have CRB checks done.
- Need permission from parents if emailing
- Can go to the child protection agency for advice.
Health and Safety
- Room set up needs to be safe
- First aid kit
- Safe place for medicines
- Awareness of emotional reactions
- Balanced group
- Work done on our own shadow
Above All – Have fun and play!!!
Reported by Modgala Duguid
Bexley, Greenwich and Waltham Forest are looking for S.A.C.R.E. Buddhist Representatives. Can you think of anyone familiar enough with the multifaceted Buddhist landscape who would be willing to spend a few hours every school term liaising with local authorities, teachers, school governors and school children ?
The B.F.S.E. new website (www.dharmapeople.com) needs your contributions and your ideas. Why not come along and help us out ? You will meet people from different ethnic backgrounds and different traditions, all with a story to tell.
The Buddhist Society 58 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PH, tel: 020 7834 5858.
Click here for map & travel directions
Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
Yoga Therapy Centre ~ 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd May 2008.
Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton, Buddhist Soto Zen priest, translator and writer on Zen will be giving a talk at the Yoga therapy Centre (situated on the corner of Penton Street and Pentonville Road - nearest stations Angel and Kings Cross)
After the talk there will be time for questions and discussion. There will be an alms bowl for donations, all of which will be given to Rev. Taigen as a contribution towards his air fare.
Thich Nhat Hanh UK Visit 2008
The 81-year-old Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh is to make a rare visit to the UK this summer to talk at Friends House in London and to lead a retreat at Nottingham University (see the Midlands section).
Touching Peace in Daily Life
Public Talk at Friend’s House , 173 Euston Road (opposite Euston Station), NW1 2BJ
Friday, 22nd August 2008 at 7.15pm (doors open: 6.30pm)
See the Community of Interbeing website for further details and information on how to book for these events www.interbeing.org.uk
We have been asked to advertise the following event. The organisers are not NBO members, but we have put this entry on-line as a 'guest' as we feel many NBO members may wish to know about it.
A PDF file, detailing the event is available here
“The Festival of Nonviolence” Tuesday 25th March to Saturday 12th April
March 15-22 2008 at Liverpool
~ Ken Jones
“Making Gold out of Straw” How to use the ups and downs of everyday life as a path of liberation. A retreat from Sunday 16th March (starting 6p.m.)to Saturday 22nd 2008 (ending after breakfast) at Crosby Hall, Nr Liverpool. Led by Ken Jones and Dave Scott. The schedule will be traditional Zen with walking and sitting meditation, talks, interviews and small group work. Held at the CHET Centre, Crosby Hall, purpose built in the grounds of a stately home, in the country north of Liverpool. There are various attractive walks around the Centre grounds and nearby on Crosby beach stands the famous “Another Place.” This widely acclaimed exhibition by Anthony Gormley contains 100 life size iron figures placed between high and low tide. Worth a visit. Accomodation is mostly 4 bed dorms or a larger room for snorers. The Centre is large, spacious with good parking and a very attractive zendo. FEES: Waged £210. Unwaged £150. Full booking important. TO BOOK: Send 50% deposit plus a stamped addressed envelope to Jez Lovekin, Llwyndrain, Pontrhydygroes, Ceredigion. SY25 6DP. Tel: 01974 282 686. E-mail: jezlovekin@btinternet.com |
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Buddhist Group of Kendal The group holds a meeting once a month on a Sunday, 2.00 ~ 4.30 at the Fellside Centre. Teachings given according to Theravada as practised in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand by authorised teachers. Activities include meditation, talks discussion, tea. Meetings are open to all. There are no charges, but donations are welcome. Meeting dates for 2008 |
Midlands List your regional events here
HH The Dalai Lama will teach in Nottingham May 2008: go to the Notices Page for information
The Amida Trust Conference "Breaking the Mould: Buddhism Comes West & Gets Engaged" Narborough, Leicestershire in April-May 2008
The next Living Buddhism Conference takes as its theme "Breaking the Mould". Buddhism is entering the Western world and as in each of its previous cultural transitions, it has to change and adapt. At the same time, Buddhism aims to break the mould of the society that it enters. Where there has been greed, Buddhism teaches generosity; where there has been hatred, love; where there has been pride, selflessness; and where there has been fear, faith. In the west Buddhism is so far primarily known as a quietistic practice for cultivating personal calm. It has more to
Cost: Fullboard - Twin £185 - Dorm £155 - Non Residential £145 - Cost per day £55 Enquiries: Please contact Sundari by email or tel: 0116 286 7476 |
The Buddhavihara Temple, Eastfield House, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire |
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Events at Eastfield House in 2008 are: |
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*Songkran Day is actually 13th April. We are holding our ceremony a week later in order not to clash with our sister Temple in Wimbledon. To find out how to get to Kings Bromley, look on the 'Location' page of the Temple Website
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Meditation Classes at The Buddhavihara Temple:
These classes are held after the monks' evening chanting, which starts at 7.00 pm. You are most welcome to come and join in. |
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AMIDA TRUST CHAPLAINCY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 1-2 November 2008 Spiritual Relationships, Complex Relationships, Healing Relationships Chaplaincy and other spiritual support work provides opportunities to meet people in many different circumstances. The context is often one in which the person is facing particular changes or life traumas, and may be open to reviewing life and seeking the spiritual dimension in new ways. Meetings may have been requested and planned, or may be casual and informal. They may be in depth or brief, and it is not always clear at the outset what is required. This two day workshop will explore the different types of relationships involved in chaplaincy and other spiritual work. We will look at styles of interaction which are appropriate in different circumstances, at the opportunities to support personal spiritual transformation which emerge in this kind of work. In particular we will discuss the sorts of boundary issues which need to be taken into account in the sort of mixed relationships which can exist in the spiritual context and how to avoid some of the pitfalls
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3-4 November: 2008 Blessings, Weddings and Funerals: CreativeApproaches to Personal Ceremony. |
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Spiritual groups offer ceremonies to the important mark life transitions of their members. In the last couple of decades, interest in the creative use of ritual has grown, and people increasingly seek more personalised events. Some Buddhist groups already have traditional ceremonies to mark rites of passage, but many Western groups are daunted by requests from their members and Learning to facilitate personal ceremony is an art which takes practice, resourcefulness and a dramatic presence. |
Ritual is a language, mastered through experience and repetition. This two day workshop will look at the art of ceremony and creating a special occasion relevant both for those committed to a religious path and to those who have a less aligned sense of the spiritual. It will be practical, suitable for anyone who might take a role in such events, but particularly for those who may be called on to lead them. We will look at resources: readings, music, and chants; and at commonly used elements of a service, including making offerings, creation of the ceremonial space, invocations, symbolic acts, blessings and dedications. We will draw on both Buddhist sources and other spiritual traditions. We will discuss the structuring of event, the poetic and metaphoric frame, and the sequencing of elements. We will look at those small details which become so precious to participants. There will be opportunities to practice ceremony and pool resources. This course is an important opportunity for all Amida vow22 students but will be useful to Buddhists of any background.
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These and other courses are in our current prospectus at: www.buddhistpsychology.info/courseprospectus.pdf |
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BUDDHA DAY 2008
The event takes place on Saturday, 10 May, starting at 1.00 p.m. in the Buddha Gallery (at the end of the long gallery leading to the Tea Rooms). Monks and lay people from various traditions will be there to chant in their national styles. This year we have arranged with the Jubilee Debt Campaign to perform a sharing of merit ceremony on behalf of the nations most affected by international debt and hope to have the ambassador of one of them present as their representative. |
The Celebration of Buddha Day has become a regular event at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Jointly organised with the West Midlands Buddhist Council, it is the day when the Buddha’s followers remember his birth, enlightenment and death and follow his example in dedicating themselves to the service of all beings. It is a colourful ceremony which all are encouraged to watch; you do not have to be a Buddhist to attend.Thich Nhat Hanh UK Visit 2008
The 81-year-old Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh is to make a rare visit to the UK this summer to talk at Friends House in London and to lead a retreat at Nottingham University.
Touching Peace
A five-night residential Retreat with Thich Nhat Hahn at the University of Nottingham
Sunday, 24th to Friday, 29th August 2008 Families welcome
See the Community of Interbeing website for further details and information on how to book www.interbeing.org.uk
Eastern England List your regional events here
Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women UK 'Calling a Council of Buddhist Women' Founder Members of Sakyadhita UK, Wendy Barzetovic, Sue Bloy and myself would like to introduce Sakyadhita and invite you to a 'Council of Buddhist Women' with the aim of identifying issues relevant to Buddhist Women in the UK and to explore ways of mutual benefit in working together on an international and national level. 'Sitting in Council' involves sitting in a circle with a small altar in the centre which holds our intention and dedication. A 'talking object' is passed around, giving each person the opportunity to speak, but we also may choose to remain silent. Whoever holds the object has the full and non- interrupted attention of all. We are asked to speak from the heart and to listen from the heart, to be concise and spontaneous. Having introduced ourselves and Sakyadhita, we would like to spend the morning 'sitting in council' and exploring issues that are meaningful and relevant to us as buddhist women. Following from that, the afternoon 'council' can be used to look at ways of working together in order to bring those issues more into our lifes. Although it is not necessary to book , we would appreciate you letting us know if you are intending to come, and we look forward to seeing you. We do not charge for this event, but please consider making a donation according to your means. Thank you. For further information, please write to gassner@sakyadhita-europe.org |
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Practice Days & Weekend Retreats for 2008
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As well as the above events, the Bodhinyana Group meet on most Wednesday evenings at Amaravati. All events take place at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts , HP1 3BZ For a map and routefinder to Amaravati click here |
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NEVER TURN AWAY : A Public Talk by Rigdzin Shikpo Friday 20th June 2008, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, OX1 |
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Rigdzin Shikpo is a unique figure in Western Buddhism. A lineage holder in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, he is a recognised master of meditation and an inspiring & insightful teacher. The title of this talk comes from his recent book. He will introduce the essence of the Dzogchen path of training - to never turn away from our experience, always having the courage and open heartedness to turn towards whatever arises in a simple and direct way. Longchen Foundation is an authentic tradition in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism under the direction of Rigdzin Shikpo and founded in 1975 by Trungpa Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Cost: £10 / £5 concessions |
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To book or for further information please contact: oxford@longchenfoundation.org |
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The Institute of Oriental Philosophy (UK) and the Network of Buddhist Organisations (UK)
Present a Conference on "The British Buddhist Landscape - Transplantation and Growth"
To be held at Taplow Court, near Maidenhead, Berkshire. SL6 0ER 27th, 28th, 29th June 2008
.The aim of the conference is to look at the history and development of Buddhism in the UK from its early days up to the present. It will be suitable for anyone with an interest in Buddhism as well as other religions, the teaching of religion, as well as social action and ethnic social groups.
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The Medway Towns Chan Group, affiliated to the Western Chan Fellowship
Two weekend retreats:
- The Zen of Relationship (17th-20th July)
- Introduction to Chan (Chinese Zen) Meditation (9th-12th October)
Click here for more details
South West List your regional events here
There are a a couple of events to be held in the South West that are included in the Western Chan programme, filed under Wales
January 18-22 2008 at Gaia House ~ Ken Jones
On Trust in the Heart – Hsin-Hsin-Ming Retreat “Foillow Your Nature and Accord with the Way” Retreatants will each be invited to select passages for reflection from this classic Zen scripture. The passages will be those which they feel have strong relevance to their personal lives. Meditation, talks, interviews and group work. Gaia Hse. Retreat code 8130 Cost: £157 (£134) |
April 11-13 2008 at Sharpham Centre ~ Ken Jones Turning Suffering Inside Out –The Liberative Path of Emotional AwarenessDetails from cecntre@sharphamtrust.org -- www.sharphamtrust.org or phone Steve Palmer on 01803 732708 |
September 11 – 15 at Chagford ~ Ken Jones At the annual workshop-retreat of the UK Network of Engaged Buddhists, including talks and workshops by other members of the Network. Administered by Phil Henry – 01773 714 541; pm.henryt@btopenworld. com . |
October 31 – November 3 2008 at Chagford ~ Ken Jones Haiku as a Spiritual PracticeSimilar to a successful run in Kent in 2006, this workshop will provide an opportunity to appreciate and write classic haiku within the context of a traditional Zen retreat. The event will be designed for practising Buddhists and people interested in Buddhism. Cost and other details still be finalised. Contact Martin Pitt on 01647 432202 (mobile 0777 5652680) |