Introducing Buddhism
Free 7 week course starting Monday 20th January 2025 at 6.30pm - in person only
This term's Introducing Buddhism Course will be led by Roy Sutherwood and will be held in person only at The Buddhist Society
Monday 20th January to Monday 10th March 2025 (no class 10th February)
Monday Evenings at 6.30pm
Each class runs for around 1 hour
This Course is Open to the Public, Free of Charge and there is No Need to Book
You can register to gain access to any extra course notes or 'homework' while the course is running
Each class runs for around 1 hour
A Seven Week Course- IN PERSON ONLY
This course would be appropriate for anyone new to Buddhist meditation, or interested in giving a bit more context to their practise, or to anyone keen to refamiliarise themselves with the basic principles and practices of Buddhism.
The Buddhist Society’s ‘Introducing Buddhism’ course consists of seven consecutive talks designed to acquaint the newcomer with the basic fundamentals of Buddhism. Each talk is designed to give an introduction to the theory and practice of Buddhist teachings and how they relate to our everyday life and problems, in the modern world. Many experienced Buddhists have found these classes valuable in refreshing their understanding of the Dharma.
The Buddhist Society considers the Introducing Buddhism course to be of special importance as it forms the foundation for its structured programme. In this context, those who have attended this course are encouraged to continue their studies by attending the First Turning of the Wheel Course, The Great Way Course and the Gateway to the Vajrayana Course.
Those wishing to attend are asked to do so from the opening talk.
These classes are free and open to non-members but students are encouraged to join The Society as members to support our wonderful free classes and courses and donations are very welcome.
Subjects include:
Lesson 1. What is Buddhism? The Buddha’s life story - 20th January
Lesson 2. Three Signs of Being, Three Fires - 27th January
Lesson 3. Four Noble Truths - 3rd February
Lesson 4. Noble Eightfold Path - 17th February
Lesson 5. Wheel of Life, Karma & Re-birth - 24th February
Lesson 6. The Paramitas - 3rd March
Lesson 7. Meditation, Where to from here? - 10th March
About the Teacher
This course will be led by Roy Sutherwood, a former Director of
Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London and a recognised foundation level
teacher for the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana
Tradition (FPMT). Roy is a senior student of Geshe Tashi Tsering,
currently Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University, Karnataka, India and
has studied under masters of Buddhist philosophy and meditation for many
years. He also teaches on the Society's Sutra and Tantra: the Gateway to the Vajrayana course, the weekly Thursday evening Tibetan Meditation Class, and on Mahayana Buddhist topics at the Society's annual Summer School.
Frequently asked questions about Buddhism