Sangha Evenings in Canterbury

For people who want to go a little deeper into meditation and the Dharma we have our Sangha nights, which are largely un-led and a space for people who feel confident meditating to practice together and share how things are going.

We will have a more involved check-in, longer period of meditation and time to share how our practice is going, what effects it’s having on our lives and, perhaps, any difficulty or beauty we are encountering.

More than anything, this will be more time for us to spend together and build a community, or ‘Sangha’! We ask for a donation of £8 (or what you can afford) to help with venue hire. There is usually a card machine available to take payments. We meet 7-8:30pm at The Meeting House, tea and biscuits provided.

Our Next Sangha Events: 

Why Buddhism Now? | Wednesday 15th May

7-8.30PM at the Friends Meeting House, Suggested donation £8

Perhaps you've been meditating for a while now and have found it to be of some benefit. Maybe you have enjoyed the stillness and calm that it brings or even simply the joy of the community that has emerged around the practice. But why is The Buddha and what he attained important in all this?

Join us for an evening exploring the core teachings of Buddhism and why more than ever they are important now. As the world seems to be slipping further into disarray with war, corruption and ecological collapse springing up all around, what can the Buddhist path give to us? Often the view of Buddhism as a sort of disinterested wellbeing practice can be prevalent, but that doesn't have to be the case. What the Buddha discovered calls on us all to cultivate not only a new society but completely new minds. Minds coloured by love, joy, compassion and equanimity. Kit will be leading an evening delving into the heart of Buddhism and how Buddhist meditation works not only to change our minds but the whole world! There will be led meditation and a space for tea and questions afterwards. 

Buddha Day Celebrations | Wednesday 22nd May

2500 years ago the Buddha woke up from the delusion that plagues the world. A delusion that creates all greed and hatred. On the full moon in May we come together as a community to celebrate this great achievement. Known also as Vesak this is a festival that is celebrated all across the Buddhist world. We will be gathering for an evening of food, meditation, talks and ritual around the fire. Celebrating our own journeys together and the growing Sangha in East Kent.

Feel free to arrive anytime from 6.00pm for food, consider bringing something to share with everyone. We will then be starting the night proper at 7.00pm and should be all wrapped up around 9.00pm.

To link to the Buddha's life, spent mostly wandering in the forests, we will be hosting this evening at The Pinetum, an area of protected woodland on the edge of Canterbury. Down the small single track off of the roundabout at the top of St Stephen's Hill.

Come prepared with warm clothes, food to share and incense to burn!

There is a covered area that we will use for the evening but if weather is particularly dire we shall advise an alternative location! Watch out for info closer the time.
 

Above is a map of how to find the Pinetum. 
Note: people are welcome to park at The Pinetum, however due to limited space, if you feel up to it please consider parking at the university and walking to save space for those who need it. 

Why I'm a Buddhist | Wednesday 29th May

7-8.30PM at the Friends Meeting House, Suggested donation £8

All that might seem well and good but what does it mean for actual people!? Following from 'Why Buddhism Now' hear from three members of the Canterbury Buddhist Group team about what Buddhism means to them and why it has been so important. Rachel, Tom and Val will be giving short talks about how Buddhist practice has shaped and changed their lives. This will be sure to be a beautiful evening with a period meditation and space for tea and a chat afterwards.