Buddhism
– a path to freedom from greed, hatred and delusion – takes effort. It takes right effort and meditation to cultivate mindful awareness: awareness of reality as presented to the senses in every moment, reality as it is. With regular meditation, judgmental opposites – distinctions like attachment and aversion, self and other – begin to lose their force. Their effect gradually ceases, and loving kindness then quite naturally arises unopposed: loving kindness to all beings.
The Buddha said that his teachings all had the same taste: the taste of freedom. Buddhism does not require belief. It leaves you free to test the truth of the dharma against the facts of your own experience: as in meditation. Buddhism appeals to both the heart and the mind, and meditation works with both the heart and the mind. Buddhism and meditation go together.
Introductory courses
given at the Vancouver Buddhist Centre teach the basics of Buddhism through The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path, as well as through the life story of the historical Buddha. The courses show how the ancient teachings of the Buddha, supported by meditating in the present moment, can help anyone lead a happy and effective life today. Anyone can come to see reality as it is, and live in loving kindness.
The Vancouver Buddhist Centre
hosts a regular weekday practice night as well as formal training in meditation. Our trainers, all long-time meditators with years of teaching experience, give a complete introduction to the art of Buddhist meditation.
Meditation training works on two specific meditation practices: the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Development of Loving Kindness – metta bhavana. The training provides clear practical instruction as well as support for an ongoing personal practice.
For more on meditation,
visit the wildmind Web site. See links.
Meditation resources also feature on the list on this Web site of other sites associated with the FWBO worldwide.
May all beings be happy.
see schedule for course dates
see practice for comments on regular practice
If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is: infinite.
William Blake:
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell