An introductory course held over five Thursday evenings (7.00-9.30pm) - Book here

There is an old English saying: 

"Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny".

The Buddha would have agreed with that. According to the Buddha, what we think, what we do with our minds, is the most crucial factor in how free and happy we become. This course will help us become more aware of the thoughts and habits of mind that are shaping our lives. 

We'll learn two types of meditation and other practical tools for freeing up the creativity of our minds. The course will be suitable for those totally new to meditation and Buddhism, and also anyone who has learnt mindfulness meditation and wants to explore further.

Venue - Peace House, 19 Paradise Street, Oxford, OX1 1LD

Book here

Although we are not currently running introductory courses, Oxford Buddhist Centre holds classes on Tuesday nights which are suitable for newcomers.

We begin at 6pm with a drop-in meditation, where we teach either the Mindfulness of Breathing or the Development of Loving Kindness. You can arrive at from 5pm for a bring-your-own dinner and chance to meet people.

At 7pm we have Sangha Night, which will follow the format of talk/discussion on a theme, tea break and then a mediation finishing at around 9.15pm.

The broad themes we have covered at Sangha Night in 2017 are Ethics, Mediation and Wisdom.

Attached are a couple of resources that you may find interesting if you would like to come to either the drop-in or Sangha Night.

Six Monday evenings starting 17th of October

Looking to harness the power of your creativity?  Mantras – sound symbols of Awakening – have been used for centuries as tools for energising and transforming the mind. In these six evenings we’ll use mantras as a launchpad for discovering the core teachings of the Buddha and how they help us to become wiser, more courageous, and better able to respond to the needs of the world.

You’ll also receive instruction in two essential meditation practices for developing awareness and strong positive connection with others.

Singers and non-singers alike will love this!

Monday evenings 7-9.30pm  
Starting 17th October 2016 
Peace House Paradise St, Oxford, OX1 1LD

No need to book – just show up

And all our events are run on a donation basis

Contact oxfordtriratna@gmail.com for more info

Want to see what your mind can do? This six-week course introduces the core teachings of the Buddha and how you can use them to move from ordinary, divided consciousness into a fuller, richer and more creative approach to life. On this highly practical course you will receive instruction in meditation as well as experiencing first-hand some of the key principles that underpin Buddhism. You will also be encouraged to continue the training practices at home and in your daily life.

Mondays 20th June to 25th July 2016

Peace House, 19 Paradise St, Oxford, OX1 1LD

Free – donations welcome.
No need to book, just turn up on the night.

Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling, a companion to the course, will be available to buy on the first evening at the reduced price of £6. For more information contact oxfordtriratna@gmail.com

Looking to make the most of your life? Want to transform your mind? This six-week course introduces the core teachings of the Buddha and how you can use them to free up your energy, your imagination, and your perspective on the world.

The course involves instruction in developing mindfulness and deep positive emotion through meditation, as well as outlining the key principles that take you from where you are now to beyond what you might think is possible. You will also be encouraged to continue the training practices at home and in your daily life.

Previous participants on our courses say:

“the approach was radically different to the books I’ve read … 7 out of 7”

“thought provoking, accepting, fun”

Details:

Mondays 25th  January to 29th February 2016

7.30pm – 9.30pm

Peace House, 19 Paradise St, Oxford, OX1 1LD

Suggested donation £30-60

Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling, a companion to the course, will be available to buy on the first evening at the reduced price of £3.

For more info, or to let us know you’re coming, email oxfordtriratna@gmail.com

Break out - intro course Mondays 3rd August to 7th September, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Peace House, 19 Paradise St, Oxford, OX1 1LD

Suggested donation £30-60

 Looking to overcome your limitations? Want to live more creatively? This six-week course introduces the core teachings of the Buddha and how we can use them to free up our energy, our imaginations, and our lives. The course will involve instruction in developing mindfulness and deep positive emotion through meditation, as well as investigating some of the key principles that underpin Buddhism. You will also be encouraged to continue the training practices at home and in your daily life.

Previous participants on our courses said:

“the approach was radically different to the books I’ve read … 7 out of 7”

“thought provoking, accepting, fun”

Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling, a companion to the course, will be available to buy on the first evening at the reduced price of £6.

For more info, or to let us know you’re coming, email oxfordtriratna@gmail.com

Tools for training your mind: an introduction to Buddhism and Meditation

A six-week course on the core teachings of the Buddha and how we can use them to train – and transform – our minds. The course will involve instruction in developing mindfulness and deep positive emotion through meditation, as well as investigating the key concepts that underpin Buddhism. Participants will also be encouraged to continue the training practice at home and in their daily lives.

No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to try it out and explore the possibilities for oneself.

Mondays 20th April to 25th May, 7.30-9.30pm

​Peace House, 19 Paradise St, OX1 1LD.

A donation of £30-60 (£5-10 per evening) is suggested to help cover our costs.

For more info, or to let us know you're coming feel free to email us at oxfordtriratna@gmail.com.

Check out our new website at www.oxfordbuddhistcentre.com!

1. Where? No. 4 Brookside, Headington, Oxford OX3 7PJ.
   There is no parking available on Brookside itself so if coming by car do park in a street close by. Brookside is well-served by buses from Oxford City Centre, including no's. 8,9, 400, 108, 275, 280, and U1.
   Our host, Sarah, has had some difficulty with the odd neighbour in the process of developing her venue. They are concerned about the security of their homes. Sarah has asked that if you get into conversation with anyone just indicate that you're going to the Buddhist day at Sarah's. She will be joining us on the day so we should have an opportunity to thank her in person.
2. What should I bring?
   1. Some vegan/vegetarian food for a shared meal (there's only a microwave for reheating).
   2. If you'd like, a photo or symbol of someone you knew who has died and who you'd like to recollect, you'd like to remember. It might be someone with whom you had a particular connection, perhaps they inspired you in different ways, taught you something, or you admired how they lived. There will be an opportunity to share (in pairs) something of this person and what they mean to you. You are also invited to place the photo/symbol on the shrine within the cherishing radiance of the Buddha's loving-kindness. As part of our festive puja you can have their name read out and a line or two about why you wish to recollect them.
   3. Your own meditation equipment if you have something specific you'd like to use. Our usual mats, cushions, and blankets will be available and there are chairs at the venue.
3. Programme - below
4. Suggested donation £25/£12 concession for the day.

Dear Friends


Last week proved a successful start to our new format, with all of us remaining together for a whole evening of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. We looked at those troublesome habits that hinder us from living a more fulfilled life, especially in the context of meditation. This coming Tuesday, the 20th, we'll continue with this theme by investigating aversion. We'll illuminate its various guises and explore how we might creatively release ourselves from its clutches.

5pm (ish) Meet at the Art Cafe for food and friendship

6pm Drop-in Meditation

7pm Sangha Night (tea break about 7.50-8.10pm)

9.15pm Clear up and depart


Parinirvana Festival Day Retreat on Sunday 15th February, 10am-5pm. Please join us for a commemoration/celebration of the Buddha's final release from unsatisfactoriness. Lying between two sal trees he is said to have entered into a meditation from which he did not return. Traditionally it's a time to reflect upon impermanence and understand more deeply how we relate to what has past. There will be meditation, a talk, hopefully a mantra-chanting workshop, and much more. Venue to be announced.


Peace House is at no. 19 Paradise Street, Oxford OX1 1LD. Being located in Oxford city centre it is accessible via public transport from all corners of the county (and beyond) . Please let us know if we can help with reaching the premises. Though there is no parking available bicycles can be locked at the rear of the venue.


Oxford Triratna runs on the basis of generosity. In monetary terms you are free to give as much or as little as appropriate to your circumstances. To help people reach a decision and to offer a sense of our costs we suggest:

£2-£5 Drop-in Meditation

£5-£10 Sangha Night


Warm wishes


Padmakumara

A Taste of Freedom

This three-week taster course is a great opportunity to dip your toe into the vast and inspiring world of Buddhism and Meditation.
Who was the Buddha? What’s Buddhism all about?
How do we realise the Buddha’s vision for humanity together, here and now?
How can I use meditation to develop clarity of awareness and freedom of heart?
Come along and find out.
No prior knowledge or expertise is needed, just a willingness to test everything in the fire of your experience.

Where? Restore Garden Cafe, Manzil Way, Cowley Road, Oxford
When? Monday evenings 7-9pm starting 17th
How much? We suggest a one-off donation of £15-30
What next? Just turn up on the 17th
 

Dear Sangha

Prajnaketu recently gave a talk entitled 'Returning from the Secret Realm'. It was a reflection upon his recent step in becoming ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order. You can hear this talk by clicking the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b2i8uu9tfrd7j3e/secret_realm.mp3?dl=0

In sangha

Padmakumara