Whether you are new to Buddhism or have an established practice, you are assured of a welcome at BBG meetings. 

Meetings  are held on Thursday nights in the Scout Headquarters at 7 Grove Street (see map below).             Arrive after 7.30pm  for 8.00pm start. 

Please scroll down for current PROGRAMME.

Please see recommended sites at foot of this page.

  Amaravati Sunday 21st November.  Luang Por Sumedho (left of picture) receives well-wishers as he prepares to leave the monastery and the UK for a well earned retirement in Thailand.  Ajahn Suchito, abbot of Chithurst, sits centre, and Ajahn Amaro, now abbot of Amaravati sits at the right.

Amaravati temple and cloisters.


Summer Term 2012. 
THEME:- The Fundamentals of Buddhism
Note the programme is provisional and some  of the dates may change.

19th April: Introduction to the theme; Meditation followed by
a short talk and discussion about the life of the Buddha.
26th April: Meditation evening- an opportunity to gain experience to sit longer periods of meditation with the group.
3rd May: 'The Four Foundations of Mindful awareness'. A talk by Martin Goodson. Martin has recently publish a booklet with the title of the talk on Kindle. He will give examples and advice of how to practice mindfulness in everyday life. Martin is an experienced Buddhist practitioner and regularly gives talks at the London Buddhist Society. 
10th May:Meditation followed by extract from Pema Chodron's 'Smile at Fear' retreat DVD
17th May: Meditation evening- an opportunity to sit longer periods of meditation with the group.
24th May:  Meditation and discussion evening
31st May: Kulamitra from the Triratna Buddhist Community
(formerly FWBO) will lead meditation and give a Dharma talk. All welcome.
7th June: Meditation followed by second extract from Pema Chodron's 'Smile at Fear' retreat.
14th June: Dharma Talk by the Theravada monks from The Devon Vihara. We welcome Ajahn Jutindharo and Suvaco Bhikku to our group. They will lead meditation, give a talk and answer questions about Buddhist practice. The monks will be staying in Bath for the evening which gives us the opportunity to offer dana meal to the monk on the following day. The details of which will be announced at the meeting. All welcome to join us on this special evening.
21st June: Meditation evening- an opportunity to gain experience of longer periods of meditation with the group 
28th June: Meditation and talk by one of the members of the group
5th July: Meditation followed by discussion
8th July: Picnic in the Park - details to be announced
12th July: End of term evening; an opportunity to share any aspects that have been inspiring over recent months. 




Third century Afghan Buddha, and Japanese wooden figure
The Guimet Museum, Paris

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The Bath Buddhist Group seeks to have all main schools of Buddhism represented in talks by visiting speakers, and the content of the library from which members may borrow books and recordings without charge.

We should be pleased to supply detailed programme updates If you send your email address to j.frank484@btinternet.com 

Membership: £10 p.a. £15 (couples)  £3 (unwaged).   Whilst non-members are equally welcome, only members are able to borrow books and recordings from the group's extensive library.

Members and non-members who join the free Yahoo site (email for no obligation invitation) receive weekly emails about the group's programme.

Enquiries: j.frank484@btinternet.com    

The Bath Buddhist Group was founded in 1977 by Heather & John Harvey at the suggestion of the late Christmas Humphreys, founder and president of the Buddhist Society.   The group's objectives are to "promote an interest in Buddhism and encourage its study and application".                                                        

We are inspired by, amongst others, the teachings of Ajahn Sumedho, former abbot of Amaravati monastery near Hemel Hempstead.   More information about the Amaravati Monastery may be found at www.amaravati.org 

Recommended Reading:                                                        The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho - free if available from Amaravati monastery, or access via the link above.                                       

What the Buddha Taught by Rahula Walpola - contains translations of the Sutras and is organised in a way that is easy to understand.            

The Zen Way : Myokyo-ni (available from Amazon )                           

Food for The Heart:The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah Author Jack Kornfield, Foreword by Ajahn Amaro. Ajahn Chah was a highly respected teacher in the Thai Theravada Forest Tradition. Ajahn Chah was Luang Por Sumedho's teacher.                                                                        

The Art of Happiness (A Handbook for Living) : H.H.Dali Lama & Howard C. Cutler. An easy conversational interview with the Dalai Lama.                                                                                                   

Hooked! Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume, edited by Stepanie Kaza (Shambala)                               

Meditation - A Way of Awakening by Ajahn Sucitto (part 1 available as a free download from http://www.cittaviveka.org/talks.htm )

Possible sources of books:                                             www.wisdom-books.com                www.buddhistpublishing.com

   

more at www.dharmathecatcartoons.com

RECOMMENDED SITES

Ajahn Chah tradition 
www.forestsangha.org  umbrella site for this and other western branch monasteries in the lineage of Venerable Ajahn Chah. Contains links as well as transcribed Dhamma Talks.
www.dhammatalks.org contains an audio library of MP3 Dhamma talks by various teachers in the Theravadin Forest SanghaTradition.                                     www.dhammathreads.org distributes
MP3-CDs with talks by various monks and nuns from this and related monasteries.

Buddhism and emotional management www.buji.co.uk 

The Buddhist Society www.thebuddhistsociety.org

Amaravati Monastery www.amaravati.org 

Chithurst Forest Monastery  www.cittaviveka.org 

Forest Sangha (Theravadin) www.forestsangha.org

Bath Friends of the Western Buddist Order    www.bathwesternbuddhist.com 

The international association of centres of the Sakya and Karma Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Dechen was founded by Lama Jampa Thaye under the spiritual authority of Karma Thinley Rinpoche.   www.dechen.org

The International Zen Association.  www.izauk.org 

The Museum of East Asian Art at 12, Bennett Street, Bath is hosting a number of very interesting Buddhist events.   See their programme at www.meaa.org.uk