Regular events

Sangha night online

Putting the Buddha into Buddhism: stories from the Buddha's life

While Auckland is in Covid 19 alert level 2.5, this event will be run online.
Use this link - https://zoom.us/j/8179125195 to join Sangha night online at 7pm

"I take my refuge in the Buddha"

So goes the chant of the committed Buddhist. Who is this Buddha that we go for refuge to? If he is not an all powerful God able to intervene miraculously in our hour of need, what kind of refuge does he provide and what good is it anyway?

In this series of talks, we will explore stories around the life and the teachings of the Buddha. We will cover

• what is known historically about the Buddha and his life
• what are some of the key stories associated with the Buddha
• how these stories carry messages for how to approach our life today
• who it is we are going for refuge to and why
• how we can use our imagination to connect with the Buddha over time and space

The Buddha, an introduction to the series, his early life and the four sights

Malcolm Dow will open this series of talks about the Buddha by presenting an overview of the Buddha and his early life. He will look at who this historical figure was and what his early influences were. He will tell the first of the stories that has become a powerful symbol of the nature of reality: the story of the four sights.

In the story of the 4 sights, the Buddha goes walking one day, and sees 4 things that completely transform his understanding of the way things are. He learns the truth of suffering, impermanence and a glimpse of what might enable him to transcend these facts of life.

Malcom will tell this story and its implications for how we can more skilfully manage the themes contained in the 4 sights in our own lives.

Wednesday nights are a place for people who have attended our foundation courses to come together and celebrate community as well as an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Buddha's teaching.

Each evening will include a meditation, a short teaching and a chance to reflect with others on the meaning of the teaching for our lives.

When

Cost