Teacher profile

Giles Barton was introduced to Buddhism while working at the Home for Incurables in Adelaide 1984, first attending Buddha House. After moving to Sydney he was introduced to Wat Buddha Dhamma and went on to participate in many short and longer retreats with well known and respected monks both in NSW and Perth. He took part in the rains retreat on two occasions at Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth. He has endeavoured to be a support to the Sangha over the years and extended his dhamma practice at various times being on the committees for Wat Buddha Dhamma, Santi Forest Monastery, the Buddhist Library in Sydney. Currently he remains active on two other Buddhist centred charities. He has previously been on the state and national Boards for Canteen Australia while working on Paediatric Oncology.  He has lead classes and workshops on Buddhism and meditation for a few years, recently on using meditation to cope with or recover from traumatic experiences. Giles founded the Buddhist library yoga class in 2008 and lead classes until 2020. Originally qualified as a nurse he has specialised in child and adolescent mental health for 30 years and currently manages and coordinates services for a local health district. He has post graduate degrees in child and adolescent development, mental health and spirituality. His approach is to facilitate people in developing their spiritual and healing practices using the Buddha’s words and teachings as a foundation and inspiration to become their own teacher.

All Sessions are by Donation (Dana) to the Buddhist Library. All donations to the Buddhist Library of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Dana is the traditional practice of generosity, the extending of one’s goodwill, which is fundamental to Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. The dana you give helps to maintain the Library and allows it to offer more teachings on the Dhamma so that others may benefit in the future. It is up to each person to determine the amount of dana they’d like to offer. We understand that this is a difficult time financially for many, and people will give what they can. An appropriate dana can’t be prescribed but requires sensitivity to its intent and to the individual’s own situation, as well as awareness of the cost of organising events and supporting teachers who spread the Dhamma.