What we’re about
The aim of this group is to make Buddhist teachings more accessible, provide
support and encouragement to people who are new to Buddhism. The roup is also open to anyone who would like to contribute.
The purpose of this group can be described in three beautiful Sanskrit words. 1) “Simran”derived from the word Smaran meaning Remembrance. Also translates to ‘Meditation’ – The verb Simar, which is derived from Simran means meditating. 2) “Satsang”means "gathering together for the truth" or, more simply, "being with the truth." Truth is what is real, what exists. 3) “Seva” means a service which is performed without any expectation of result or award for the person performing it. See link below to a youtube video (40mins mark) of dialogue between Deepak Chopra and Andrew Cohen, where they discuss the relevance of these words to our lives today.
Buddhism sees life as a process of constant change, and its practices aim to take advantage of this fact. It means that one can change for the better, which ultimately leads to happiness. The decisive factor in changing oneself is the mind. Buddhism has developed many methods for working on the mind. Most importantly, Buddhists practice meditation, which is a way of developing more positive states of mind that are characterised by calm, concentration, awareness, and emotions such as friendliness. Using the awareness developed in meditation, it is possible to have a fuller understanding of oneself, other people, and of life itself. Buddhists do not seek ‘evangelise’ or coerce other people to adopt their
religion, but they do seek to make its teachings available to whoever
is interested, and people are free to take.
A Five Minute Introduction to Buddhism: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm
Basic Buddhist Teaching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Q1lrxQlMU
The Positive Effects of Meditation/Mindfulness. Summarising the scientific evidence:
http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/what-is-meditation-mindfulness-good-for/
How does Buddhism mesh with modern science? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRmpQbebQk
Interview with Australian Buddhist nun, Robina Courtin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kr7F8AV26Y
Buddhism and Sects by Ajahn Brahm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owq_ougaikU
Oprah Winfrey talks with Thich Nhat Hanh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9UtuWfs3U
Norman Fischer, Jack Kornfield and Sylvia Wetzel at the Garrison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHGPypXyDUc
Joseph Goldstein - Buddhism The essential points:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkBnMu_cdM
The Most Powerful Video on Spirituality and Happiness - Rare Eckhart Tolle Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KopmSpe33Eg
Loving Awareness: A Conversation with Jack Kornfield & Eckhart Tolle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAgj_xjZvY
Herbie Hancock: Buddhism and Creativity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSFMkJQKigk
Noah Levine on Buddhism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjhce63L0N4
Buddhist in America- Ryan Hayashi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej7vJasvLwg
Nueroscience Symposium - University of Zurich - with the Dalai Lama:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay82wmkvFtg&list=PLD653677C00E2D1D7
Four Noble Truths: Buddha's Psychlogy of Freedom :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJvB9xKfX1U
Buddhist Teachings: The Noble Eightfold Path :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPk-pxhyYeg
Andrew Cohen & Deepak Chopra in New York City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-COAvUh6QJ4
Gather to discuss and explore Buddhist teachings, meditation, retreats and
make new friends. The intention is for this group to be a collective community and ideas or events are welcomed.
It is our intention to keep the cost of events to a minimum. i.e. this is not a group set up to generate funds. The cost of any organised events will be shared between attendees; however we will try to keep these costs to a minimum.
If any members have ideas or events they would like us to organise then please contact Nim.
The Bodhi Tree, Inspiring Wisdom, Bookshop and Cafe has kindly offered free VIP loyalty Card to all Dharma Friends. The VIP card offers discounted pricing on all purchases as well as any paid events at The Bodhi Tree. See Discussions page for further info on how to claim your card.
Our Purpose-To provide the opportunity for people to develop wisdom and compassion.
Our Vision -To create a welcoming community in order to inspire active wisdom and compassion.
Our Values - Generosity, Refraining from causing harm to oneself and others, Patience, Tolerance, Forbearance, Acceptance, Endurance, Diligence, Find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome, Enlightened quality of concentration and Enlightened quality of wisdom-awareness.
Upcoming events
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•OnlineThe Bardos and the Science of Awareness
Online“The Tibetan Buddhist teaching on the six bardos maps the territory of human experience, not as abstract philosophy, but as a practical guide for living and dying well.
A bardo is a gap, a transition, an in-between state. Tibetan practitioners identified six of them: the bardo of everyday life, of dreaming, of meditation, and three bardos related to the dying process. Rather than being exotic or mystical, these teachings offer a framework for working with what’s actually happening in your life right now.
This course pairs two methodologies that Tibetan masters considered inseparable: Dharmakīrti’s Pramāṇavārttika (the science of valid cognition) and the six bardos (the intermediate states we move through constantly, not just at death). We will start with how mind works according to Buddhist epistemology. What counts as direct perception versus conceptual thinking. Then we will track these patterns through waking life, meditation, dreams, dying, the after-death state, and the process of taking rebirth.
The course teaches a way of investigating your own experience that has immediate application. Each week combines philosophical investigation with contemplative practice. By the end, you’ll have both a theoretical map and practical methods for working with consciousness in states ranging from ordinary waking life to the radical transitions of death. While this is not a course for complete beginners, you don’t need an extensive Buddhist background, just genuine interest in understanding your mind and a willingness to question your assumptions about what’s real.
What you’ll gain:
– A working understanding of Buddhist epistemology and how it applies to practice
– Practical techniques for recognizing the nature of awareness in different states
– A process for understanding death and intermediate states
– Methods for working with dreams and meditation
– Direct investigation into the difference between valid and distorted cognition in your own experience
Join us to learn to work with your mind the way it actually is. Together we’ll investigate the nature of reality and discover how the bardos can be transformed into genuine opportunities for awakening.”
Open door, open heart. Donations are always optional.
Charok Lama
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•OnlineExpress Meditation: Purification
OnlineMorning guided meditation with a purification practice, the Four Opponent Powers.
Please try to join this class no later than 11:00 AM.
Materials Link
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For $50 a month you can attend all our events: classes, meditations, pujas, weekend intensives, Saturday workshops — everything!
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•OnlineCompassion Meditation
OnlineThe Buddha of Compassion (Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara) is the manifestation of all the buddhas’ compassion.
“When the moon rises, numberless reflections appear wherever there is water in this world. That is how Chenrezig manifests. Effortlessly, naturally, Chenrezig manifests in all kinds of forms, even as medicine, a bridge, or water. Chenrezig, manifesting to sentient beings in whatever form benefits them, does inconceivable work for sentient beings.”
—The Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsakasutra)
Practice Material
Open door, open heart – drop in anytime. Donations are always optional.
View Organizer Website
Mary M.
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For $50 a month you can attend all our events: classes, meditations, pujas, weekend intensives, Saturday workshops — everything!
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•OnlineMeditation 101
OnlineThe verb we translate as “to meditate” in Tibetan, gom, literally means “to familiarize.” First we listen to the teachings, then think about their meaning, and, finally thoroughly familiarize our mind with them in meditation, gaining direct experiential knowledge of their reality.
This module introduces the student to various simple techniques, including concentration, analytical meditation, and visualization, which is a specialty of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Ven. Losang Dondrub
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# Join this class
Join the class
## I am a member
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Enter zoom meeting
## I want to bea member
For $50 a month you can attend all our events: classes, meditations, pujas, weekend intensives, Saturday workshops — everything!
Become a Member
## I want to donate for this class
Donate
## and
Enter zoom meeting
## I’m still exploring
Free class access
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Past events
3692
