Liverpool Theravada Buddhist Group
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada ('Way of the Elders') Buddhism originates from Sri Lanka and south east Asia. It has its roots in the original teachings of the historical Buddha ('the one who is fully awake') who lived in northern India in the 3rd century B.C. These teachings, the Dhamma, can be found and studied in the Pali Canon. Pali is related to Sanskrit and was the language spoken by the Buddha and his disciples. But most importantly, they have also been preserved by these disciples through the centuries: the Sangha, the community of monks, nuns and lay people.
As Buddhists we try to put the Buddha's teachings into practice in our daily lives. We try to develop through generosity (dana), through morality (sila), and through reflection, mindfulness, full awareness of our actions and their consequences (bhavana). Sila means that we train ourselves according to the Buddha's precepts: not harming any living beings, not taking anything that has not been given to us, not maltreating or cheating on our partners, not using speech carelessly, and not clouding our minds with intoxicating substances. This creates the conditions for bhavana, mental development, especially meditation.
Buddhist meditation fosters the ability to see clearly and to be at peace with the ever-changing nature of all phenomena, to overcome our difficulties through the growth of wisdom and compassion, to 'wake up' and discover our true nature: our 'Buddha nature'.
The Liverpool Theravada Group
Our group is generally ecumenical in its approach to Buddhism. We do not follow a particular teacher or school but some of us use the teachings of the disciples of the Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah, also known as the Forest Sangha. Their main monastery in the UK is Amaravati near London. - You are welcome to join our meditation evenings, usually twice a month, and occasional meditation days, usually twice a year.
Meditation evenings are normally held on every second and fourth Monday of the month (except Bank Holidays) from 7.30 to 9.30 pm, at the Liverpool Wellbeing Centre, 37 Hope Street, Liverpool 8.
Dates for 2008
14 & 28 January, 11 & 25 February, 10 & 31 March, 14 & 28 April, 12 May, 9 & 23 June, 14 & 28 July, 11 August, 8 & 22 September, 13 & 27 October, 10 & 24 November, 8 & 22 December
We start with a short chanting, then sit for half an hour, followed by a reading or a recorded talk and/or discussion, and a cup of tea. There is no charge but you are invited to contribute to the Wellbeing Centre's costs, and to a charity (recommended donation £3 - if you can afford it).
Meditation days are usually held in June and December in the Unitarian Church hall (Ullet Road / York Avenue). Dates for 2008 are 7 June and 13 December. Again there is no charge but an invitation to donate to our hosts and for a charity (recommended donation £10 - if not too much for you). Please ring us for further information.
For further information please contact Ursula Haeckel on (0151) 427 6668 or Graham Murphy on (0151) 722 0893.
Web Links
- The worldwide Forest Sangha: www.forestsangha.org
- The lay community in Great Britain: www.buddhacommunity.org
- A huge number of talks given by Forest Sangha monks and nuns: www.dhammatalks.org.uk
You may also try these websites of some members of the Theravada Buddhist monastic "sangha" in England:
- Amaravati Buddhist Monastery: www.amaravati.org
- Aruna Ratanagiri, Harnham Buddhist Monastery: www.ratanagiri.org.uk
- Ven. Ajahn Khemadhammo: www.foresthermitage.org.uk
- Bhikkhu Bodhidhamma: www.satipanya.org.uk
The following books give a useful introduction to the Buddha's teaching:
- Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught. 1st published by Gordon Fraser in 1959 and frequently reprinted (ISBN 0 86092 005 4)
- Ajahn Sumedho, The Mind and the Way: Buddhist Reflections on Life. Rider 1995 (ISBN 0 7126 7285 0)
Our group also has a small lending library of books and audiotapes.
