May–Aug 2015

& Programme & Magazine Magazine The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 Community of the Spirit

I’ve not invited articles according to a specific within and talks of the transforming power theme for this new magazine, so it has been of nature and communication. We also get a satisfying to see patterns emerging nonetheless. glimpse into another spiritual community, and Contents This third edition ofThe London Buddhist Abhayanandi’s world, having ‘gone forth’ onto has been no exception: the importance of the Buddhist Path. community seems to run through all of it. Other contributors have approached the idea The bonds that exist between us are an inherent of community through the arts. In his column Magazine part of who we are, how we live and what we do. on books, Ollie Brock turns his attention this time to spiritual experiences which can have 2 Editorial Never the less, the games of separation that we a frightening effect outside of a supportive 3 Coming Up for Air Does war bring us together? Sāgaramati reflects play, through force of habit, produce aversion context, and also how the poetic imagination 9 Letter from a Retreat Centre Vajratara sends word from the Brecon Beacons and conflict, polarization and difference in our can influence how we receive such experiences. 11 Photo spread A look inside community life with Abhayanandi lives and the world. Individually and globally Maitreyaraja’s interview this time is with 13 Book Review Ollie Brock on responses to the ineffable this is a cause of great suffering. Jnanavaca. With the end of the world imminent 15 Brighter than the Sun An interview with Jnanavaca on films that have inspired him in Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, he tells us, the 16 Diary Soup kitchens and skeletons. Singhamanas’s week How is it possible to live in such a way that we can love our fellow man without becoming tension brings people together under a common exclusive with our love, reserving it for those goal, and as Jnanavaca recounts the journey to within our group, our nation, our race? If we the sun, we find the community being drawn Programme simply go along with the group our passivity will deeper and deeper into beauty. 19 Programme May-Aug not bring solutions. If we react to the group then Finally, Singhamanas gives us a few glimpses 21 Getting Started society will be made up of individualists who live into his life and the lives of others as he takes the 23 Going Further only for themselves. Only a spiritual community spirit of community to a soup kitchen, exploring 27 Festivals and Special Events can allow each of us to associate freely with the questions that come from his encounters. 28 Sub35 Events others, while living up to the highest ideals in 29 Calendar May-Aug which love has both an individual and universal Perhaps it is the presence of a shared, positive 33 Yoga for Meditation dimension. Only a spiritual community will help ideal and a living spiritual community that 34 Films, Fairs and Fundraising individuals grow towards their fullest potential. is missing in today’s world. With increasing Even in war there is love, and Sāgaramati secularisation and indiviualisation, what is going explores the strong bonds of brotherhood that to bring us together for the growth and benefit form in times of life and death, being forged of everyone? I hope that some of these articles deep beneath the ocean. Later he rejects the stimulate your vision for what a new society goal of war but finds a similar brotherhood in a might look like. Contributors spiritual community, which has the highest and – Vidyadaka Abhayanandi, Ollie Brock, Barry Copping, Lesley Lindsey, Jnanavaca, Maitreyaraja, most positive ideals. Sāgaramati, Singhamanas, Vajratara, Vidyadaka The London Buddhist online In what we hope will be an occasional series, For commenting, following and sharing. Vajratara writes to us from the spiritual The London Buddhist is now available as a blog. community (Tiratanaloka) that she is living Visit thelondonbuddhist.org 2 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015

Coming Up for Air War provokes men’s most aggressive energies, but it also brings them together. How do we harness these energies for the better? Sāgaramati reflects

fter prowling around under the glowing, phosphorescent wave appears towering AMediterranean for a few weeks, we surface above us. I’ve never experienced this before to head back to Gibraltar. I’m on lookout and my heart’s in my mouth. Being a nuclear duty. The early morning sun tints the sea-mist, submarine we don’t ride the waves as a ship transforming it into a canopy of golden light. As would do – we just burrow straight through we plough through the glass-like sea, dolphins them. For a couple of seconds we’re literally leap over our bow wave, bodies glittering in under water and we’re drenched. That first wave the light. All is still, and it would be: nuclear was terrifying but the next was just exhilarating. submarines don’t make any noise. For a moment I still recall these things: the fresh and rich sea I’m expecting Poseidon to emerge from the air of those days, the vivid light and colours of depths to greet us. Another time I’m look-out nature flooding the senses, such a contrast after in the North Sea in a storm force 10 in the early weeks below the waves. I used to think to myself, hours of the morning, strapped in with a safety ‘Civilians never get this.’ harness. Out of the blackness a monstrous,

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ut later, when I was on a Polaris submarine, Hetherington’s description resonated with my Ban issue arose for me. Okay, we were said memories of life as a submariner. We knew that to be carrying a nuclear deterrent, but if that if the submarine went down, we’d all go down deterrence failed, it would follow that we had together. You live and die together. I had never failed. What’s the point of helping to bring experienced that in civilian life: whether you about Armageddon? In a nuclear war there are liked someone or not, that fact that you were no winners. So two of us, after quite a few beers, dependent on each other made for a different, decided that if the ‘launch’ signal came through less petty relationship. One of the main when we were on watch in the Radio Room, emphases in is the ideal of , we would shred it. We couldn’t see the point or spiritual community. It is a reminder that in using our sixteen missiles, each with multi- what brings Buddhists together is not personal nuclear war heads, to kill millions of people once likes and dislikes, or a special idea of who we the war had already started. are. It is not some crutch for a sense of identity. What creates a Sangha is the feeling that life has This was one reason I left the Royal Navy after a purpose beyond what society can offer; and just one patrol on Polaris. I moved on from that this ‘purpose’ is, in a way, just an aspect of being a potential agent of death to being a what life itself is. It does not come from ‘above’, some realm of the Absolute that sits outside hippie, a peace-and-love ‘pinko’. But when I The submarine HMS/M Dreadnought in 1965. Sāgaramati is pictured third from left of life. Sangha also reminds us that following started to meditate, after a while I realized that the teachings of the Buddha is not an easy something that enhances life rather than, as in phase of the LBC in the late 1970s; and I’ve seen I wasn’t at ease with being a pinko. Bits of my undertaking: we need others to keep our purpose the extreme case of Isis, seeks to destroy it? It’s as it flourish since then in a few other places within psyche were still drawn to the image of war, or – to the fore, and to encourage and support us to if men need something akin to ‘war’ to motivate the movement. But how to sustain that spirit? more accurately – men at war. I recently watched that end. The Buddha-to-be may have been on them and bring them together – normal society The spiritual life can be very difficult, especially a documentary about Tim Hetherington, a his own under the Bodhi tree. But he got there does not offer this. I put this to my teacher, if you are not involved in a project with others. leading British photojournalist. Hetherington in dependence on his previous teachers. Sangharakshita, when I was walking with him Men need a shared goal. In a sense, we need our covered the conflicts in Liberia and Afghanistan, in King’s Heath Park back in Birmingham a few equivalent of a war. then Libya, where he was killed in 2011. The ooking back, I’ve realised that this has years ago. Sangharakshita agreed, saying that it moment from the documentary that struck me Lalways been the attractive aspect of the is indeed as if men need something like a war he psychologist James Hillman has said most was when he, together with the American symbol of war for me. Submarines in particular or an inspiring project - something ‘outside’ Tthat war is an ‘archetypal impulse’. So ‘war’ journalist Sebastian Junger, spent a year with an appealed because there you have a small unit of themselves - to bring them together. can also be understood as having a mythical American marine platoon in a remote outpost men who have to work as a team. In war every dimension that resonates in our psyches. It can in the Korengal Valley, eastern Afghanistan – a decision can be a matter of life or death, and I think a spiritual community, at its best, can also be understood metaphorically as an aspect place he described as a ‘male Eden’. He said the that takes you to the essentials of living. War offer this. I experienced this to some degree, of the spiritual quest. biggest fear the guys out there had was not of is only possible because men do it with others. albeit crudely, when I was on submarines; and being killed, but of letting their buddies down. In a war you feel you’re part of something, and I also experienced it in the 1970s when I came So the myth of war can take on spiritual They were rough with one another, sure, but there’s a purpose to what you are doing - even across the Triratna Buddhist movement – then significance: as we make progress on the path we he’d never seen bonding like it. These guys though, as many recent interviews with soldiers known as the Friends of the Western Buddhist realise sooner or later that, as Nietzsche says, man really cared for each other, loved each other. in Afghanistan have shown, that purpose is Order – in North London. At that time most is a war. But this is not a war with some external Junger says, ‘Tim had been in a lot of combat often simply to help one another survive, not of us lived in the same street, in squats, with enemy. Rather it is ‘a war against oneself’, a war in Liberia, and I think one of the things he was serve the country as politicians like to tell to the Buddhist centre at the end of the street. We between the natural but crude and unregenerate looking for after that experience wasn’t the truth us. Is this not why young men are going to lived together, ate together, worked together, forces within our own nature and those whose about combat as a form of conflict, but the truth fight for Isis? As Nietzsche says, young men’s meditated together, went on retreat together and aim is to develop and manifest a more aware, about combat as a form of bonding. What he energy ‘needs to explode’, and they don’t care at times argued quite fiercely together. We felt kinder, less self-centered and wiser form of life. saw with his camera, in this environment of who lights their fuse.1 The question is, how we were an alternative society in the making. Nietzsche calls this ‘Self-Overcoming’. killing and fear and hardness, was connection.’ do we channel that unregenerate energy into This spirit also continued during the building 5 6 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015

The Buddha himself used the metaphor of war. independence of mind and self-awareness. This He is recording as saying, for instance, ‘Better is the real battleground of the spiritual life, than the conquest of a thousand men in battle the place where we can re-create ourselves as is the conquest of one’s own self.’ And on something more fully human, more aware. And occasion he used images of battle to illustrate the we can’t enter into battle without protection. Buddhist life. In another passage the Buddha is That protection is : being attentive asked, to what we are feeling, to what thoughts are arising and why. Back to Nietzsche, who Having slain what does one sleep soundly? summarizes this task: Having slain what does one not sorrow? What is the one thing, Yet let us reflect: where does the animal cease, where Whose killing you approve? does man begin? … As long as anyone desires life as he desires happiness he has not yet raised his eyes The Buddha replies: above the horizon of the animal, for he only desires more consciously what the animal seeks through Having slain wrath, one sleeps soundly; blind impulse. But that is what we all do for the Having slain wrath, one does not sorrow; greater part of our lives: usually we fail to emerge The killing of wrath, out of animality, we ourselves are the animals whose With its poisoned root and honeyed tip, suffering seems to be senseless.2 This is the killing the noble ones praise; For having slain that, one does not sorrow. So here we have an idea of who the enemy Here the enemy is is in this new kind of war, and how we fight ‘wrath’, but it is also it. But we need to ask ourselves, what is the the forces of greed, aim of this battle? We need some goal that is hatred and delusion, beyond what we are now, but one that is not imposed upon us from the outside. It has to be our conceit - our need for status, our something we can respond to, something that dear possessions, gives a more far-reaching, higher meaning to our confused our human existence. But this is not a battle views. These are the we can wage all on our own. To that end we also need connection with others who share our Peace is a Fire Sāgaramati at 17 ‘enemy’. However, although this is a goal; in other words we need a Sangha. And Summer Retreat war within oneself, as Herr Nietzsche would so Hillman’s ‘archetype of war’ finds a higher 3rd–12th April have it, here there can be no violence against expression. No one is killed, but many aspects Led by Silapiya oneself. The ‘slaying’, for example, consists in of our undeveloped selves simply die away or and Padmalila not giving expression to certain feelings and are transformed. This in turn gives birth to emotions rooted in greed, hatred and so on. In something new: a new life that embodies the a sense there is nothing unethical about feeling deepest and most positive values, a way of like murdering someone; this is just our past being that in the past was beyond even one’s conditioning recycling itself. The ethical concern imagination. This is the real victory – which is whether or not you give expression to the is why the Buddha is also known as a Jina, or feeling. But even this is only half the battle: ‘conquerer’. ■ the other half is about bringing into being 1. The Gay Science, originally published in 1872 as Die fröhliche Wissenschaft and expressing the opposites of greed, hatred 2. Untimely Meditations, originally published as and delusion, such as kindness, generosity, Unzeitgemässe Betrachtungen in 1876

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Letter from a Retreat Centre Vajratara lives at Tiratanaloka, a retreat centre in Wales that specialises in running retreats for women who are training for Ordination. She gives us a flavour of a remote - but busy - life

he wind has finally died down and the have time for meditation and silent reflection. Tsun is shining. When I went for my run We meet in discussion groups to work out our this morning, the waves on the reservoir were relationship to the material we are focussing on. spraying over the dam as the wind howled and In the afternoons some choose to walk in the crashed down the valley. The new and tender shadows of the mountains while others cook or crocuses and snow drops were battered and lying rest. There’s more meditation and silence until flat against the grass. Now, in the calm of the supper, and after that a ritual or a talk. We live Talybont Reservoir, Brecon Beacons National Park afternoon, they have risen again, stretching their together as one large community, even if it is frail necks to the sun. They have their rhythms, just for a couple of weeks. So much is shared during a retreat, and it for the exercise as to communicate with the just as the seasons do – just as we do. can feel as if I have poured out all I have into environment around me. I like to follow the I used to think I had to do something my communication. And then it is over, the same route to observe the daily changes: the new Retreats, too, have their rhythm. Today is the extraordinary to give the women coming here a retreatants leave and go back to their lives. buds, the activity of the birds, the path of the first day of a retreat on ethics. We will spend special and profound experience. Now I think Sometimes I wander around the empty building river. When you live closely to nature, the trees, the next two weeks exploring in detail each it is enough if we all give ourselves fully to feeling lost. rocks and rivers take on a personality of their of the ten ethical precepts that are taken at the retreat and to the people on it. That alone own. You get to know them as friends. I go to Ordination – studying the precepts themselves seems to produce a sort of magic – something is I use the gaps between retreats to see my friends the old oak tree and all year round I swim in the as well as working out what they mean for us created in each person who comes here. and family, to go on retreat myself or to visit river as a simple gesture of intimacy. In summer personally. The retreatants arrived last night and Buddhist centres in cities. Sometimes I simply I float on my back in the cold water and watch all of us, the team included, were apprehensive, When a retreat finishes, a different kind of stay at home with the community. It is our as the trees touch the sky. Every day there is feeling the distance and strangeness of new change happens. This moment of transition is friendships with each other after all, that are at something new waiting for me: a bumble bee company. But even in a day we have started to the hardest. The days are no longer planned the heart of Tiratanaloka. sleeping in split bark; dark moss covering black relax, to open up. The conditions of retreat life and the team are thrown back on their own branches and glistening after the rain; a piece are enough to bring people into contact with resources. There is correspondence to catch And I go running. Despite living in a national of pottery worn smooth by the tumbling of themselves, and that brings them into more up on, work to be done in the retreat centre, park it is all too easy to get stuck in day- pebbles in the river. ■ contact with each other. In the mornings we laundry, food ordering, bookings, maintenance. to-day concerns. I go running not so much 9 10 Community Life Abhayanandi was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2014. She lives in a community with eleven other women in East London. The whitekesa that Abhayanandi wears symbolises the robe of someone who has ‘gone forth’ – committed to living out the teachings of the Buddha. Abhayanandi first came to the London Buddhist Centre in 2003, when she also went on the yearly Winter Retreat. She currently works in ’s Pyjamas, a cooperative-run charity shop that supports the LBC’s work. ■ The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015

episodes has the seeds of something positive. new lyrical, witty translation by Michael Henry Meaning, inference, association and so forth Heim. Blecher’s episodes involved similar losses are not inherent in the things we perceive. of subjective meaning and interpretation: ‘I Supposedly, the more we see this, the closer we would peer around me wide-eyed, but things Research Bias come to reality. But later we will lapse back into had lost their usual meaning […] It was as if our subjectivity, and our lives and experience someone had removed the fine, transparent Two very different responses to psychological – or up to that point will condition the conclusions paper they had been wrapped in till then...’ spiritual – crises show to what extent our mind we then draw from the experience. This could be thought of as a panoramic version of what he principal difference between the two is conditions our experience. Review by Ollie Brock scientists calls ‘research bias’: you find what you Tthat Blecher receives these experiences with are expecting to find, in life as well as in isolated the imagination of a poet (he almost seems to experiments. And Ehrenreich, after years of cherish the episodes, calling them ‘my secret he American writer Barbara Ehrenreich Intellectually, her family life was staunchly mental experiments in questioning immediate and intimate afflications’). This means that, Tsuffered what she calls a ‘spectacular rationalistic and atheist; emotionally it was preceptible reality, can only cleave back to unlike Ehrenreich, he is alive to symbol. Both breakdown’ in her teens. She is resistant to chaotic. Her father was an alcoholic and she was the old theological polarity: ‘Do I believe that writers are on the lookout for resonances in the specific labels for what happened: she tries verbally abused by both parents. The pair would there exist beings capable of making mental world, but while Ehrenreich was most likely to for size theories of psychiatric disorders and return late from a bout of drunk-driving, once contact with us to produce what humans call spot ‘anagrams, number sequences, clusters and accounts of religious experience, perhaps with cuts and bruises having crashed the car and mystical experiences? No, I believe nothing. coincidences’, Blecher sees a direct mirroring rightly never feeling entirely satisfied by any got off lightly. Taking to heart an injunction of Belief is intellectual surrender; “faith” a state of between life and art. On his wanderings around of them. Now an activist and science writer her father’s, Ehrenreich made a shelter in her willed self-delusion.’ One sad corollary of this the small town of his youth, he would often go in her sixties with some nineteen books to her mind: ‘“Think in complete sentences.” No giving constricted view of the imagination is a similar to the cinema. One day it caught fire: name, Ehrenreich has only recently unearthed way to inner screams or sobs…’ This protected take on the arts – one that relegates them to the journals from her adolescence that record her, temporarily, ‘when the waters were rising’ mere escapism. The job of poets, according to The film tore and immediately went up in flames, the time of these frightening ‘dissociative’ at home. This habit of smothering the emotions Ehrenreich, is ‘to keep applying coat upon coat which for several seconds raged on the screen like a episodes – the psychiatric label – that she felt makes for moving reading at times. And it of human passion and grandiosity to the world filmed warning that the place was on fire as well as unable to talk about at the time. In fact she felt probably didn’t serve Ehrenreich well when, in around us, trying to cover up whatever it is that a logical continuation of the medium’s mission to unable to talk about them for most of her life her early adolescence, her mind developed an lies underneath.’ give the news, which mission it was now carrying out to perfection by reporting the latest and most until now. ‘Because one thing you learn early alarming habit of dropping most of its usual exciting event in town: its own combustion. in this line of work is that you can’t go round activity without warning: ‘Something peeled Being a consummate poet himself, the telling people, “I’m on a mission to discover the off the visible world, taking with it all meaning, Romanian writer Max Blecher responded quite Both members of this unlikely pair fall down purpose of life.”’ She doesn’t mention which of inference, association, labels, and words.’ These differently to crises that bear striking similarities in the end. Ehrenreich into pat explication and the two lines of work she has pursued – scientific experiences became more frequent and alarming, to Ehrenreich’s. After ten years confined to his proto-theory, even positing at one point an research and journalism – she means, but we can culminating in a climactic episode on a road trip bed, Blecher died of spinal tuberculosis in 1938. ‘Other’ that may be more like a parasite. She zips assume her warning applies to both. And she with friends, which precipitated the breakdown. He was just twenty-eight – a year younger than the wild, wide-eyed teenager firmly back into the may be right that, while there would seem to She has wrestled ever since – using a mind I am now – but had produced essays, poems, adult’s thick overcoat. Blecher meanwhile lapses translations and several novels by the time of his be nothing wrong with a philosophical enquiry rigorously trained in the sciences – with whether into lazily unconnected anecdote and what seems in itself, stated so boldly in the milieus of those or not these episodes could have featured aspects death. During his adolescence, before becoming an eventual loss of interest in the urgent sense of professions it might still be greeted as naive. She of something ‘mystical’. ill, he would often fall into a ‘sweet but terrible unreality that lit his initial inspiration. But both, immersed herself in communities that did not swoon.’ at least, whatever their responses, go some way to support a deep longing in her. Why? In mainstream discourse, at least, the word showing that our world of certainties is divided ‘mystical’ now almost seems to contain its These swoons are the jumping-off point for from a more mysterious reality only by what Adventures in Immediate Irreality The short answer, related in this new memoir, own dismissal. And ‘mystical’ may not be the (128pp, Blecher calls ‘the flimsiest of membranes’. Living with a Wild God (272pp, £9.67), word, but to a Buddhist, if the right conditions £10.14). The book is a fictionalised memoir ■ is that analytical thought became a . are present, Ehrenreich’s description of these originally published in 1936, now released in a 13 14 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015

desert in the world and also the driest place on the planet, with zero humidity. Because of its climatic conditions it’s a world centre for astronomy. One strand of the film is about astronomers looking for meaning through Brighter than the Sun exploring the universe: the further out into the universe you look, the earlier you’re looking in time, so you could say that they’re looking for Jnanavaca, the Chair of the London Buddhist Centre, the origins of the universe, and through that often draws inspiration from films. Here a sense of who we are. Another strand of the film, a very powerful one, concerns the fact he tells Maitreyaraja about some films that have that, because there’s so little moisture in that particularly influenced him – and his practice environment, things are preserved, so you’ve got archaeologists looking at remains from some All sorts of things happen to the astronauts. of the earliest human civilisations. Thus you’ve Some of them die heroically and some of them got this other journey, backwards into time, are more cowardly. But there is this sense that into early human history, and a question about the sun is mystifying, beautiful and entrancing, who we are from that perspective. And then a sense that they had to approach it; it was a the third, even more powerful strand, is from kind of inexorable movement towards something more recent history, going back to Pinochet’s Maitreyaraja: What was the first film that you is that they’ll fire that into the sun and reignite that they knew could kill them. So there was dictatorship. During his time in power, many really enjoyed? it. And of course one thing after another goes something very beautiful and moving about people were ‘disappeared’ victims of his regime, wrong and it even turns into a bit of a horror that. I read the film as an allegory of the spiritual and many of them were buried in mass graves Jnanavaca: I remember being taken to see film towards the end. But I was very affected by life, but most people I’ve met haven’t seen the in the desert. It’s said that there are still bodies Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I think it was a half it. I don’t think it’s a brilliant film, but visually spiritual dimension of the film. I don’t think preserved there. The film focuses on the women animated, half live-action film about magic and it’s very beautiful. In the film you see some it’s just me making it up! So for me all of that who scour the desert digging for the bodies of magicians and witches. I can just remember a really beautiful images of the sun of the kind I spoke very deeply about the life, the their loved ones – sons, fathers, husbands – and football match between some animals. I don’t guess you’d see from the Hubble space telescope. spiritual life – not on a particularly conscious it’s very moving because these bodies do turn up. remember much else but I know I was thrilled There’s even a sense of something more than level, but afterwards I realised that some of these There’s an interview with some of these women, by the sheer magic of it all. And I remember beautiful – of something sublime. There’s this archetypes had been sparked in my mind. So some of these relatives who lost their loved ones being convinced that Katie, who lived across the scene in the film where you see the transit of for example, there’s a character who goes mad to Pinochet’s regime – so the film becomes a street and who was a little bit older than me, was Mercury, a tiny black dot just crossing the sun. and tries to murder the others. Critics have said meditation on what it is to be mortal, on the a witch, because they had a broomstick in their And the effect on all the astronauts is a sense of that the film loses its way in that last act, but human condition, on human cruelty and human house... wonder at the hugeness, the vastness, the beauty for me even that can be read allegorically: if you suffering and the fragility and the pain of that. of the sun. After seeing that film, the sun kept approach the light, shadows will be cast, just as if And the film weaves these three strands together Can you tell me about a film which you feel has appearing in my meditations, and I realised that you practise the Dharma and move towards the beautifully. I was moved to tears by it. ■ changed you in some way and why? it had become a symbol for me. A symbol of goal of Enlightenment you will have to deal with the transcendental, I suppose. And of course it the darker aspects of the psyche. Film Nights at the LBC A film that has recently changed me in some way makes sense: the sun as the source of all life. But Exploring the wonders of great film, is Sunshine, Danny Boyle’s science fiction film also the sun as something incredibly beautiful Any other recent favourites? Perhaps you could pick and raising money for the new Vajrasana Retreat centre. about a group of astronauts. It’s set fifty years in and attractive which you can’t stare at, and which out just one or two for us. Sat 2 May: Black Swan the future; the premise is that the sun is slowly if you approach it directly and get too close it’ll Sat 23 May: The White Balloon dying and this group of eight astronauts has been burn you. So it’s a symbol of spiritual death for The first I’ll mention is a documentary called Sat 18 Jul: Film to be decided sent to reignite it. They’ve got a massive nuclear me: to approach the sun, you have to die. Nostalgia for the Light. It’s a Chilean film. It’s See page 34 bomb attached to their spaceship and the idea set in the Atacama Desert, in Chile, the highest 14 15 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015 The London Buddhist May–Aug 2015

When I get to the LBC for work on Thursday for her while she goes to work on the oven. I say I find she’s left me a gift after months of quiet. sure, what would you like – ‘Mozart, Mozart!’ Why? There are chatty, follow-up texts. I don’t she replies. I spend the next hour playing know how or even whether to respond and sonatas. At the end of each one she hoots with find it all painfully confusing. In fact, I find glee, and throws down her mop, or brush, or Diary of a London Buddhist confusion itself one of the most painful states. spray, or towel, and claps her hands like fun- The Buddha called it a ‘’, one of the things snaps. I play better than I have in ages. that binds us to mundane existence. The original A week in the metropolis in this strange third word is vicikitsa, which mostly gets translated I wonder if I’ll see Youssef again next week, millennium. By Singhamanas as ‘doubt’. But in this (pseudo-)sceptical age, or ever. Then I remember being in Syria with ‘doubt’ sounds rather too dignified. ‘Confusion’ Safiem. I met Safiem on a night train travelling uesday night back at the soup kitchen. customary top hat propped over watchful eyes, gets at it better. from Turkey – a train flaking with French TThey’ve put me on laundry and showers, which look out of my bedroom window and imperial grandeur. Safiem was French and a and give me the special turtle-skin gloves to over Regent’s Canal. Baudelaire reckoned he was Friday I’m at home as I’ll be in the office on Muslim convert. He took me to the old sook and protect my fingers from hypodermic needles. I married – ‘in glorious hymen’ – to his beloved Saturday. So I’m in when Victoria Sinclair comes the great mosque of Aleppo. He taught me how hate needles. Paris, and that he felt the shocks of metropolitan round. She’s our cleaner from Romania. Is it all to wash my hands and how to bow in prayer. I life much like a lover feels the shock of sex. right to have a cleaner? I live on minimum wage, taught him how to sit cross-legged and how to Youssef comes in keen and chirpy. He’s Syrian George the ex-demo skeleton hangs by the door. so does she I assume, and at £25 a fortnight it follow the breath. On odd days we bought each and we speak some French. Normally a laundry (My sister’s a doctor: perks of the trade.) His seems worth it to me and my flatmate. Growing other food, smoked and argued about ethics. We load (wash & dry) costs a pound but Youssef frame faces forwards but the skull lolls to the up in West Africa our house was always full of agreed on most things, but not about women doesn’t have anything save a can of Carling, left. Charles looks out the window, and George cleaners and maids and gardeners and the like. I and how they should be treated. He thought I which he wants to trade instead. From his smile looks at me. had two nannies. I don’t think we really needed was weak, I thought he was weak. I saw the old he clearly thinks I’ll do well out of the swap. it but my father had a policy of employing as sook again today – in the Sunday papers. At least I don’t really drink any more and Carling was The next week at the soup kitchen the cooker’s many people as possible, mainly for their sake. the caption said ‘Sook’, but now it’s just another never my choice when I did, but I’m won over out, so all we have is Pret sandwiches to give This morning Victoria asks me to play the piano pile of rubble. ■ by the smile and we easily make the deal. He away. There is something ironic about watching wants to get clean as he has a day’s work lined up a host of homeless beggars dining on Wild for tomorrow and if he does good they’ll keep Crayfish & Rocket Wraps. When we run out of him on. I say we’ll fix him up no problem. So he wraps I’m left with Pret Pots (granola and honey hands me a bag of clothes, I pass him some soap desserts) and soon have to weather the wrath of and he hops in the shower. An hour later his a hungry Russian man shaking his fistful of Pret load is clean and dry. I bag it up for him ready to Pot at me and shouting: “It’s not fair, it’s not take home when he bursts back in through the fair!” I couldn’t agree more. front doors covered in blood. I ask him what’s happened but he’s so upset all he can do is vent The shifts are late so I’m up late the next day. an Old Testament rant about an eye for an eye a In any case I’ve decided there is no inherent tooth for a tooth. He’s missing a tooth too. What virtue in rising early, despite what many a mess. meditators say. The only time in my adult life Urban Retreat I have systematically got up early was when I I keep waking up at the moment wondering working for Sangharakshita in Birmingham. who I am. It’s Wednesday. At the foot of my I used to make him his breakfast: rooibos tea 2015 bed is a large head of the Parisian poet Charles and porridge; then, for the main, one veggie Baudelaire sketched by his friend Manet. frankfurter, green salad, Ryvita with marmite, 5th-13th September. Free. Booking essential Apparently it’s the only portrait Baudelaire one tomato and plenty of water cress. Every day approved of. He’s in profile wearing his the same thing, and every day he thanked me. 16 17 Facebook Twitter or call drop in to reception You can book online at For many of our events, booking is essential. May–AugBooking Info 2015 020 8981 1225 @LDNBuddhist

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lbc.org.uk

Programme One aim of the London Buddhist Centre is to help people achieve This culture of generosity extends to all levels of the centre. their highest potential by introducing them to Buddhism and For example, everyone employed by the LBC is paid a ‘support’ meditation. The centre runs on generosity: all teachers and class package which covers their basic financial needs (food, rent etc), teams offer their time, skills and experience voluntarily. We are with a little extra for spending and travel. On this basis, people keen to develop this culture of generosity (‘dana’), so you will see give what they can and take what they need. It is therefore that many of our events are free of charge, but with an invitation generosity that is the principal motivation, rather than status or to give what you can (of course you do not need to give anything the accumulation of wealth. Generosity is a virtue that is highly if you do not want to or cannot afford to). regarded in Buddhism and we hope that this quality is brought to the fore at the LBC. In particular we hope that, if attending one of our free events, you will feel able to contribute appropriately to the running costs of the centre.

Alongside our programme at the LBC, we run drop-in classes and courses in meditation at St Martin’s Lane in Central London.

We also run retreats throughout the year which offer excellent conditions in which to explore and deepen your awareness of yourself, of other people and of the world around you away from the habits and restrictions of your daily routine. May–Aug 2015 May–Aug 2015 Getting started For anyone interested in getting a taste of and those new to the mindfulness of breathing and Classes meditation and puja, especially suited Saturday Morning Yoga metta meditation practices to more experienced meditators. Saturdays 10am-11.15am. 10.35am-12.30pm. Creche facilities Saturdays 11.30am-12.30pm. Free. Lunchtime Meditation for under 5s, supported by experienced Suggested donation £10 per class. No Monday to Saturday staff. Donation/dana. need to book, just drop in. Summer Retreat Drop in and learn the basics Peace is a Fire of two crucial meditation Body-Mind Meditation Complete yoga listings page 33 In an increasingly fractured, violent and complex world, how do practices in a lunch-hour. Thursday Evenings we learn to respond in a positive, creative way to all external 1-2pm. All welcome. Donation/dana. A meditative evening Days and Retreats and internal difficulties? Mind and world are intimately linked starting with yoga and chi and affect one another in many ways. The Buddha’s teaching Evening Meditation kung, followed by sitting gives us a practical approach that anyone can practise so that Open Day Tuesday and Wednesday meditation, to bring harmony Come and discover the LBC we can find a vibrant and responsive peace that can shape Ideal for newcomers. Drop to the mind and body. and what it can offer you. our experience and transform the world. Peace, like fire, can in any week to learn two Suitable for beginners. Wear Find out about Buddhism, spread. This retreat is ideal for anyone new to meditation and fundamental practices that warm comfortable clothing. learn to meditate and try a Buddhism, or in their first year of practice. cultivate clear awareness, 7.15-9.30pm. taster session in Breathing Led by Silapiya and Padmalila peace of mind and emotional Free. Suggested donation £10. 21 – 28 Aug, at Cardfields. £365/£265. Booking essential. Space, our project positivity. mindfulness for well-being. 7.15-9.45pm. First Friday Sun 17 May, 10am-5pm. Refreshments Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation Free. Suggested donation £10/£5. Sub35 Class are provided and all events are free. No An essential overview of Buddhist principles, introducing two The alternative Friday night! need to book. meditation practices which offer a means to self-awareness, Drop-in Class for Men Meditation, discussion and change and spiritual insight. These courses are a step-by-step Tuesday Daytimes connection. An evening Introductory Days guide to Buddhism that can transform your perspective on the Drop in for a friendly, informal of practice with time for One Sunday a month. Learn world and provide you with tools you can use for a lifetime. exploration of the Buddha’s hanging out after the class. how to keep both your mind 6 weeks from Mon 11 May or 22 Jun, 7.15-9.45pm. £90/£70. Booking essential. teachings, starting with a Everyone welcome, especially and heart in steady focus, short period of meditation. newcomers. with meditation practices Life with Full Attention Tuesdays until 23 Jun, 10.30am- 7.15-9.45pm (tea bar till 11pm) Free. that help cultivate openness, Mindfulness is about living fully and vividly, without rumination 12.30pm. All men welcome. Donation/ Suggested donation £6. dana. clarity and courage. or distraction. A systematic approach to mindfulness and Sundays 24 May, 7 Jun, 12 Jul, 9 Aug. authentic happiness, starting with applying mindfulness in Weekday Yoga 10am-5pm. Lunch provided. £45/£35. everyday life and culminating in mindfulness of the nature of Daytime Class Drop-in sessions of yoga Booking essential. reality. The book ‘Life with Full Attention’ will be our guide to Wednesday Daytimes for meditation. These yoga daily practice. Meditation and the Buddha’s classes encourage flexibility, Introductory Retreats Led by Vidyadaka and Dayabhadra teachings can have great strength and awareness A weekend of meditation 8 weeks from 26 May – 14 Jul. 7.15-9.45pm. £130/£100 (price inc. book). benefits in our lives; more of bodily sensations, to Learn two fundamental, far- Booking essential. clarity, self-awareness, open- improve our ability to sit in reaching meditation practices, heartedness and peace of meditation and to encourage while living communally mind. Our focus this term concentration. All levels. with diverse but like-minded Outreach: Courses & classes at St Martins Lane, London, WC2 is on Buddhist teachings on Weekday lunchtimes 12-12.45pm. people. Explore the Buddhist Newcomers’ Classes Wisdom, with meditation, Free. Suggested donation £5. vision of reality. Every Saturday 1-2.15pm: Introduction to Meditation One. 2.45-4pm: Introduction to Meditation Two. £7/£5 talks, workshops and No need to book, just drop in 8-10 May, 26-28 Jun. At Kench Hill. Four-week Foundation courses in Buddhist Meditation discussion. Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri evenings 5.45- £160/£120. Booking essential. 6.45pm. Free. Suggested donation £7. Four Saturdays starting 9 May, 6 Jun, 4 Jul, 1 Aug. 10am-12.30pm. £75/£55. Booking essential. Please note that the first Wednesday of No need to book, just drop in. Weekly drop-in classes and courses are also happening in Hornchurch, Essex check hornchurchbuddhistgroup.org.uk every month is a Practice morning with 21 22 May–Aug 2015 May–Aug 2015

Classes Evening Meditation All welcome. Going Further 7.15-9.30pm. If you know both meditation practices or are a Mitra Tuesday and Wednesday Free. Suggested donation £10. or Order member, all these events are for you Lunchtime Meditation Meditation is more than just Monday to Saturday a technique. After learning Meditation and Puja Drop-in meditation for two fundamental practices, regulars. explore how to work with Friday Evenings 1-2pm. Donation/dana. your mind more deeply Bring the week to a Course and thoroughly. With led contemplative close with Consciousness Unfolds Dharma Night meditation, further teaching meditation and ritual. Meditation is a way of using the mind to work directly on the Monday Evenings and guidance. Devotional practice helps us mind; but what is mind? By developing awareness of the nature Explore Buddhism through 7.15-9.45pm. to engage with the Sangha Free. Suggested donation £10/£5. of consciousness we can start to see clearly how mind creates lively seminars and talks with and strengthen confidence in the world and understand the forces in the mind that shape meditation and puja. Whether the Dharma. all sentient life and behaviour. In this practical meditation Daytime Class 7.15-9.45pm. you have undertaken one of Free. Suggested donation £6. course you will learn how to use meditation as a means of our introductory courses and Wednesday Daytimes transformation - both inner and outer. want to learn more, or you A story can give us new Women’s Class Led by Jnanavaca have learned to meditate perspectives on our lives and 6 May – 3 Jun, 7.15-9.45pm. £80/£60. Booking essential. Monthly Saturdays with us and are wondering our understanding of reality. A meditation and Buddhism what being a Buddhist is Starting in May, we have a Men’s Intensive Meditation Retreat all about, you can drop in class for women who Looking Directly at Mind rich, enjoyable and inspiring know the Mindfulness of and participate any Monday programme of stories from On this intensive meditation retreat for men, we’ll be exploring evening. Breathing and Metta Bhavana the five great stages of the spiritual life - integration, positive Mon 7.15-9.45pm. the Buddha’s life and from meditations. emotion, spiritual death, spiritual and receptivity. This See lbc.org.uk/Dharmaclass.htm for the Buddhist tradition. This is 3-5.30pm. Last Saturday of each will allow us to focus on the aim of Buddhist meditation: to full listings. preceded in April by a series month 30 May, 27 Jun, 25 Jul, 29 Aug. Free. Suggested donation £6. Led by Mahamani, Sudurjaya and see through self-clinging and be reborn into the stream of the of four talks by local Order Svadhi Dharma. This retreat is especially for those men who want to members on the subject of Free. Suggested donation £7/4. deepen their meditation practice and engage directly with the Meditation Tuesday Early Morning ‘My Life as a Buddhist’. The fundamental issues of life. The retreat will be mostly in silence first Wednesday of every with regular one-to-one meditation reviews. Open chanting group month is practice morning, Led by Jnanavaca, Jayaka and Vidyadaka for regulars, followed by 19-28 Jun, at Padmaloka. £425/£315. Booking essential. breakfast in Breathing Space devoted to meditation and 7.30-8.30am then breakfast. ritual practices – a wonderful Women’s Intensive Meditation Retreat Arrive between 7.15-7.25am. No late way to start the month! admittance - please do not ring the bell 10.35am-12.30pm. Creche facilities The Doorway to Joy after 7.25am for under 5s, supported by experienced How can we be creative in our meditation practice and make it Donation/dana, no need to book. staff. Donation/dana. come alive for us? What do we do when we get stuck, bored, scared or overwhelmed? When we have the tools to make Drop-in Class for Men meditation engaging, it leads to faith in our practice and faith Body-Mind Meditation Tuesday Daytimes Thursday Evenings in the Dharma. An effective practice is a doorway to Joy. Come Drop in for a friendly, informal A meditative evening and join us to explore ways of working in meditation. exploration of the Buddha’s starting with yoga and chi The retreat will be mostly in silence. To attend, you need to teachings, starting with a kung, followed by sitting have been meditating for at least six months and to have been short period of meditation. on a residential retreat. Tuesdays until 23 Jun, 10.30am- meditation, to bring harmony Led by Shubha, Srivati, Vishvantara, Maitrivajri and Prajnadevi 12.30pm. All men welcome. to the mind and body. Wear 7-16 Aug, at Kench Hill. £425/£315. Booking essential. Donation/dana. warm comfortable clothing. 23 24 May–Aug 2015 May–Aug 2015 Going Further Continued

Days & Evenings you wonder about the social Compassionate Heart of Mantra Day cannot be separated from this about this, please contact Vajrabandhu implications of Buddhist very place’ - Dogen. [email protected] or drop in at Communication Mantra & Meditation one of these times. Meditation Days teachings, this is an essential When we choose to hold on are sound symbols Led by Sanghasiha to a grievance, the problem Sun 2 Aug, 10am-5pm. Free. Suggested For Regulars book.’ – David Loy, author and they can point towards donation £25. No need to book. Other areas where you can It is easy to fall into a ‘Money, Sex, War, Karma’ never ends. Grievances give the mystery and beauty of help include reception, ‘maintenance’ meditation With Vaddhaka and us tacit permission never to Enlightenment. The day will Buddhist Sunday School administration and IT practice, and to stop Manjusiha experience joy. Forgiveness be an exploration of this support, creche and shrine on the other hand, the letting Encouraging and developing deepening your connection. Fri 29 May, 7.15-9.45pm. Free. mystery through mantra our children’s mindfulness keeping. Why not come and renew Suggested donation £6. No need to go of resentment, affirms our and will include chanting, If interested please contact book. essential human and spiritual and kindness through [email protected] your inspiration? For discussion and meditation. Buddhist practice and dignity. On this day we will Suitable for those who know meditators who know both The Art of Tea storytelling. Includes Volunteers Day the Mindfulness of Breathing look at how we can choose both meditations. Tea harvested from ancient forgiveness. meditation, chanting and craft A day of practice and play and the Metta Bhavana. Led by Dayabhadra activities. For 3-10 year olds, trees, is a medicine that can Led by Vajraghanta Sun 26 Jul, 10am-5pm. Bring for Jambala, Pyjamas Sundays 31 May, 21 Jun, 19 Jul, 16 parents/carers welcome. Aug. 10am-5pm. Bring vegetarian/ restore the balance in our life. Sun 12 Jul, 10am-5pm. vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. and LBC volunteers. The day Done in a mindful and ritual Bring vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. Free. Suggested donation £25. Led by Jyotismati and team vegan lunch to share. begins at the LBC and ends Free. Suggested donation £25. way, this simple act can help £40/£30. Booking essential. No need to book. 10.30am-12.30pm on the last Sunday of every month. 31 May, 28 Jun, 26 in the great outdoors! Picnic to connect with ourselves and Jul. No Sunday School in August. Full Moon Pujas others. It is also an aesthetic Buddhism and 12 Step Men’s GFR Mitra Day lunch provided. This monthly ritual gives a experience of simplicity and Recovery A day for Men who have Volunteering With Ambaranta, Maitrivajri, regular point of devotional beauty. The day will be in two How can you practise the requested Ordination into Padmalila, Singhamanas and focus and the chance to halves so you can come to Dharma and work your the Triratna Buddhist Order. There are many Vajrabandhu Sat 16 May, 10am-5pm. Free, but explore the expansive scope the whole day or just for the programme at the same We will come together to opportunities for morning or afternoon. time? A day of exploration booking essential so we know numbers of Buddhist ritual. study the four Vows taken to cater for. Mon 4 May, Tue 2 Jun, Thu 2 Jul, Led by Prabhasvara with talks, discussion and volunteering at the centre Fri 31 July, Sat 29 Aug. Times to be Sun 7 Jun, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm. meditation for those in at Ordination, meditate and and it can be a satisfying announced. Donation/dana. Free. Suggested donation £15. Very 12 Step programmes who perform a puja. and energetic way of limited places so booking essential. know both the Mindfulness Led by Paramabandhu and supporting its work. Book Launch of Breathing and Metta Jayaka To see more visit Looking ahead ‘The Buddha on Wall Street: Day Bhavana practices. We Sat 1 Aug, 10am-5pm. Suggested lbc.org.uk/volunteers.htm A few highlight’s coming up Shattering the Mirror will be investigating the donation £25. No need to book. in the autumn session. These What’s Wrong with Capitalism Join us as we journey with Buddhist path and integrating Monday and Thursday events are bookable. and What We Can Do about It’ the figure of Tara, exploring it with the 12 Steps and Deep Ecology Day Can Buddhism help us build what she reveals about the afternoons the 12 Traditions. A day of A day of meditation and Urban Retreat something better than our mystery of our minds. A day 2.30pm. Straight after the deepening friendship and contemplation, exploring our 5-13 Sept. Free, but booking essential. current economic system, of meditation, ritual, talks lunch class join in with the Sangha. relationship with the natural to reduce suffering and help and reflection for people work period, cleaning the Meditation Toolkit Led by Sanghasiha & world as Buddhists. ‘Know centre and looking after the the individual to freedom? who know both meditation 21-26 Sept. Lunchtime. No need to Shraddhasiddhi that if you authentically shrines. Afterwards, if you book, just drop in. Join Vaddhaka to launch practices. Sun 19 Jul, 10am-5pm. Bring inherit one phrase, you Led by Sraddhagita and would like, there will also be his important new book. vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. authentically inherit one a Dharma discussion group New Course Shraddhasiddhi Free. Suggested donation £25. ‘An original, insightful, and dharma. If you inherit one with meditation. The Journey and the Guide Sun 14 Jun, 10am-5pm. Bring No need to book. phrase, you inherit mountains provocative evaluation of our vegetarian lunch to share. Suggested If you would like more information Starts 14 Oct. 8 weeks. Booking economic situation today. If donation £25. No need to book. and you inherit waters. You or would like to chat with someone essential. 25 26 May–Aug 2015 May–Aug 2015 Festivals & Special Events Sub35 Events Open to all

First Friday Sub35 Retreat Buddhist festivals at the LBC are celebratory days that Sub35 Class The Perfection of Energy focus on the primary qualities of the Buddha and his The alternative Friday night! The Buddha’s Path to teaching. Meditation, discussion and Freedom: Buddhism offers connection. An evening of us the way to attain a state Buddha Day Festival practice with time for hanging of perfect psychological and A festival day exploring the Buddha’s spiritual quest and out after the class. Everyone spiritual equilibrium. We will illuminating the qualities of the Enlightened Mind. We will welcome. be exploring this in reference 7.15-9.45pm (tea bar till 11pm) to the early Buddhist ideals of examine our own relationship with the Buddha’s Awakening Free. Suggested donation £6. through talks, stories, led reflections, puja and devotion. energy (viriya), mindfulness Led by Manjusiha (smriti) and concentration Sun 10 May, 10am-10pm. Bring vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. Second Saturday (), helping us Check the programme for the day nearer the time. No need to book. Sub35 Practice Morning cultivate more vigour, interest A chance to practice together, and positivity in our lives. Dharma Day Festival explore meditation more Suitable for newcomers and 2500 years ago in the Deer Park in the Buddha deeply and cultivate stillness regulars. communicated the profound truth of his Enlightenment to a and friendship. Led by Adam and Gaelle 10am-12.45pm. 5-7 Jun, at Kench Hill. £140/110. handful of disciples for the very first time. This ‘Turning of the Meditation experience recommended. Booking essential. Wheel of the Dharma’ set in motion what we call Buddhism Donation / Dana. – the transformation of the hearts and minds of countless Sub35 Yoga & men and women. On this festival day we will be meditating, Final Friday reflecting and exploring how his insight and teaching can Meditation Retreat Young Women’s Night ‘The human body, at peace transform our own lives today. Join us to explore meditation with itself, is more precious Led by Silapiya and Dayabhadra and Buddhism in a friendly, Sun 28 Jun, 10am-10pm. Bring vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. than the rarest gem.’ Check the programme for the day nearer the time. No need to book. relaxed and intimate Tsongkhapa. Join us for environment. An opportunity this non-residential retreat Welcome Back Evening to make friends with other where we’ll be exploring and young women at the Buddhist Ordination is a highly significant aspect of the Dharma life deepening our connection to Centre and support each which has the potential to radically transform the lives of many our bodies and minds through other’s spiritual practice. dedicated practitioners. This evening will be celebratory and yoga, meditation, reflections, With meditation, discussion devotional, welcoming back Jo Baily, Sylvia Wingens and Su talks, ritual and shared meals. and tea. Akbar-Khan who, all being well, will have recently returned Suitable for beginners. 7.15-9.45pm. Free. Suggested donation Led by Joe, Holly and SuYen from the 3 month Ordination retreat at Akashavana. £6. Experience of both meditation Mon 20 Jul, 7.15-9.45pm. Suggested donation £6 Fri 21 Aug, 7.15-9.45pm. Sat 22 Aug, practices required. 10am-8.30pm. Sun 23 Aug, 10am- 4pm. £140/110. Booking essential. All 108 Year Puja for Bhante Sub35 men run a programme meals provided. The 13th of 108 pujas at the LBC celebrating Bhante of events, for those who want Sangharakshita, who founded the Triratna Buddhist Order, on go deeper in their practice.For the occasion of his 90th birthday. an invitation email Wed 26 Aug, 7.15-9.45pm. Suggested donation £6 [email protected] 27 28 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3 First Friday Film Night Meditate, discuss, 7.15pm connect. For under 35s May 7.15-11pm 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Full Moon Puja Consciousness Intro Weekend 2nd Saturday Buddha Day Buddhist ritual Unfolds Retreat For under 35s Festival 10am-10pm Course starts until 10am-12.45pm 3 June. 7.15-9.45pm Lamas Pyjamas 5th Birthday 50% sale 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Intro to Volunteers Day Open Day Buddhism & For Lamas, Jambala Free talks, meditation, Meditation and LBC volunteers. yoga and more. 6 week course starts. 10am-5pm All welcome. 7.15-9.45pm 10am-5pm

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Film Night Intro Day 7.15pm Learn to meditate 10am-5pm Yoga Day 10am-5pm 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Life with Full Final Friday Women’s Class Meditation Day Attention Sub35 women Drop-in. 3-5.30pm For regulars 10am-5pm 8 week course starts. Book Launch 7.15-9.45pm With Vaddhaka. 7.15- 9.45pm

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Full Moon Puja First Friday Intro Day Buddhist ritual For under 35s Learn to meditate 7.15-11pm 10am-5pm Sub 35 Retreat Art of Tea Day Weekend 10am-1pm or 2-5pm 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2nd Saturday Tara Day For under 35s 10am-5pm 10am-12.45pm

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Men’s Intensive Meditation Day Meditation Retreat For regulars 10am-5pm starts, until 28 June Yoga Day 10am-5pm

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Intro to Intro Weekend Women’s Class Dharma Day Buddhism & Retreat Drop-in. 3-5.30pm Meditation Festival 10am-10pm 6 week course starts. Final Friday 7.15-9.45pm Sub35 women

29 30 Not all of our events are listed in this calendar Our daily, weekly, daytime and evening classes can be found in the Getting Startedor the Going Further section, near the start of this June programme. Retreats are also listed there. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3 4 5 Full Moon Puja First Friday Buddhist ritual Meditate, discuss, connect. For under 35s July 7.15-11pm 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Intro Day 2nd Saturday Learn to meditate For under 35s 10am-5pm 10am-12.45pm Compassionate Com. Day 10am-5pm 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Film Night Meditation Day 7.15pm For regulars 10am-5pm Buddhism and 12 Steps Day 10am-5pm 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Welcome Back Women’s Class Heart of Drop-in. 3-5.30pm the new Order Mantara Day members. 7.15-9.45pm 10am-5pm Yoga Day 10am-5pm 27 28 29 30 31 Final Friday Sub35 women Full Moon Puja Buddhist ritual

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 Not all of our events are listed in this calendar Mitra GFR Day Deep Ecology Our daily, weekly, daytime and evening classes can For men. 10am-5pm be found in the Getting Started or the Going Further Day 10am-5pm section, near the start of this programme. Retreats are also listed there. August 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Women’s 2nd Saturday Intro Day Intensive For under 35s Learn to meditate Meditation Retreat 10am-12.45pm 10am-5pm starts, until 16 August First Friday 7.15 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Meditation Day For regulars 10am-5pm

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Summer Retreat Yoga & Med Yoga & Med Meditation Retreat starts, until 28 August Retreat Retreat Sub 35, non-residential Sub 35, non-residential Yoga & Med 10am-8.30pm 10am-4pm Retreat 7.15-9.45pm 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 108 Bhante Final Friday Summer Fair & Sub35 women Full Moon Puja Puja 7.15-9.45pm Buddhist ritual Women’s Class Drop-in. 3-5.30pm May–Aug 2015 May–Aug 2015 Yoga for Meditation Films, Fairs & Fundraising These new yoga classes encourage flexibility, strength and awareness Explore the wonders of great film, enjoy the creativity and talent of the Sangha and of physical sensations. Loosening up the body and deepening into pick up some bargains .... all raising money for the new Vajrasana Retreat Centre. awareness can be a way into sitting meditation. Yoga and meditation are complementary practices – through yoga we can develop a language to speak to our bodies; with meditation we learn to attend to our bodies and to each other with kindness. Black Swan Summer Fair Half-Price Sale Dir: Darren Aronofsky. 108 mins. Join us for all the fun of at Lama’s Pyjamas Jayaka will introduce us to the fair. With live music Lama’s Pyjamas, the LBC’s ‘Black Swan’, a film about throughout the day in the Weekday Lunchtime and Early Evening charity shop, opened its a ballet dancer striving for courtyard, freshly baked doors 5 years ago. The shop Drop-in sessions of yoga for meditation. All levels. perfection. Highlighting cakes, vegan savoury Weekday lunchtimes 12-12.45pm. hit record sales this past year Free. Suggested donation £5. No need to book. the conflicting aspects that delights, Chai tea, homemade and is celebrating its 5th Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri evenings 5.45-6.45pm. arise in the process, it has lemonade, arts and crafts, birthday success with a one Free. Suggested donation £7. No need to book. archetypal significance for all face painting, book stalls, day only, 50% off everything, of us. Who is the Black Swan yoga, meditation, and sale. The Lamas team will be Body Mind Meditation and what does she represent? lashings of community spirit. giving approximately £50,000 Thursday Evenings Hosted by Jayaka We’ll mark the end of the day to the LBC - dana generated A meditative evening starting with yoga and chi kung, followed Sat 2 May, 7.15pm. with a Buddhist Ritual, a Full in the past year - during the Suggested donation £6 by sitting meditation, to bring harmony to the mind and body. Moon Puja. All funds raised Buddha Day Festival. Suitable for beginners. Wear warm comfortable clothing. go towards Vajrasana, our Sat 9 May, 10.30am-6pm. Half-price 7.15-9.30pm. Free. Suggested donation £10. No need to book. The White Balloon new retreat centre, project. sale at Lamas Pyjamas, 83 Roman Rd, Dir. Jafar Panahi. 85 mins Sat 29 Aug, 11.30am-6pm. All London E2 OQN Saturday Mornings A little girl determines to welcome. Saturdays 10am-11.15am. Drop-in Yoga and Meditation. This class will start with buy a goldfish for New Year. yoga and finish with sitting meditation practice. As she pursues her quest, a Sangha’s Got Talent Saturdays11.30am-12.30pm. Drop-in Yoga. number of tiny and utterly Live and for one night only Free. Suggested donation £10. No need to book, just drop in. tense dramas take place on at a Buddhist Arts Centre the streets of Tehran. This near you. What better way Sundays film builds up like a poem, to spend an evening than A whole day of yoga and meditation suitable for all levels very simply, very carefully building Sangha, the lifeblood including beginners. with a perspective-changing of our spiritual community, 24 May, 21 Jun, 26 Jul. 10am-5pm. Bring vegetarian/vegan lunch to share. final line that stays with us for through fun, playfulness £40/£30. Booking essential. a long time after. and light-hearted delight, Hosted by Kusalasara celebrating the wealth of Sub35 Yoga & Meditation Retreat Sat 23 May, 7.15pm. performance talent we have The human body, at peace with itself, is more precious than the Suggested donation £6 in our very own LBC Sangha. rarest gem. Tsongkhapa. Join us for this non-residential retreat Sat 13 Jun, 7pm at the London where we’ll be exploring and deepening our connection to our Film to be decided Buddhist Arts Centre. All welcome. bodies and minds through yoga, meditation, reflections, talks, Check publicity nearer the There will be a suggested donation and ritual and shared meals. Suitable for beginners. time. tickets will go on sale nearer the time. Led by Joe, Holly and SuYen Hosted by Kusalasara Fri 21 Aug, 7.15-9.45pm. Sat 22 Aug, 10am-8.30pm. Sun 23 Aug, 10am-4pm. Sat 18 Jul, 7.15pm. £140/110. Booking essential. All meals provided. Suggested donation £6 33 34 Around the Buddhist Centre in , London E2 Cambridge Heath Road

Old Ford Road

Museum

of Globe Road Childhood

Museum 2 Gardens The Larder 1 3 Bethnal Roman Road

Green Tube Morpeth Street 4 Bullards Place

1 London Buddhist Centre, 51 Roman Road E2 020 8981 1225 / www.lbc.org.uk 2 Jambala Charity Bookshop, 247 Globe Road E2 020 8709 9976 3 Lama’s Pyjamas Charity Shop, 83 Roman Road E2 020 8980 1843 / wwww.lamaspyjamas.com 4 London Buddhist Arts Centre, Eastbourne House, Bullards Place E2 020 8983 6134 / www.londonbuddhistartscentre.co.uk

LBC Jambala Lama’s The Larder Reception Used books, vinyl records Pyjamas Coffee, pastries and cd’s, dvd’s and jewellery. vegetarian food & Bookshop Vintage clothing, Open bric-a-brac and more. 241-243 Globe Road, E2 Book a retreat or a 020 3490 1404. course. We also sell Mon-Sat Open 10am-6pm www.worldslarder.co.uk books, incence, Mon-Fri 12-6pm Open greetings cards, Sat 10.30am-6pm art reproductions, Mon-Fri 8am-7pm meditation cushions Sat 9am-5pm and Buddha rupas. Sun 10am-5pm Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm