Under the Bodhi Tree - How the Buddha Discovered Awakening

Under the Bodhi Tree - How the Buddha Discovered Awakening

Sunday 10th December, 11am to 4.30pm

Men's Day at Aryatara Community - 3 Plough Lane, Purley, CR8 3QB

Suggested donation £20 for the day

A young man named Siddhartha Gautama is sitting under the shade of a tree meditating deeply. What was this like for him? How was it, trying to transform his mind and find Awakening? There are a few places in the early scriptures where we get tantalising glimpses of the man who would become the Buddha grappling with the forces in his mind. Gradually he comes to understand how the Dharma actually works. On this day, open to all men, we'll be looking at one such text. We'll see how to recognise, like Gautama, that what we think and ponder on becomes the tendency of our mind. Through discussion and meditation, we'll unpack the practical relevance of this key insight for our meditation and practice today.

The day will also include a shared lunch (please bring vegan food to share!), time to hang out, and will end with a celebratory puja (ritual). The day will end at 4.30pm, but with the option to stay on and sit round the fire afterwards (weather permitting!).

There is a suggested donation of £20 for this event, but feel totally free to give more or less, whatever you can afford. All contributions will help us do more work to share the Buddha's teaching.