Next meeting: 28 February 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Each month, our Book Group facilitator will choose a book from the Library’s collection of free e-resources. You download the e-book, and read and reflect on it over the month. Then on the last Friday of the month, meet up online via Zoom to exchange ideas and opinions with others who’ve read the book, and expand your understanding of Buddhism.
Theme for the February meeting: Peace and Harmony
We start this year with hope for a more peaceful world.
The readings are those from the final meeting of last year (which could not be held) and another reading on Harmony.
- Buddhist teachings help us maintain the aspiration for harmony within ourselves and for those around us. These short teachings remind us of that goal.
“Sayings and Parables” (various authors), ‘The Harmony of Society’ Pages 17-22
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fd3xML943kmOZOd-ubKwRJOSC4mUSr09/view
- This article looks at how Buddhist teachings can help us to attain peace without contention. The way the Buddha responded to Mara during his enlightenment is explored and gives a wonderful example of non-violent responses to unwholesome states of mind.
“Roots and Currents” by Ajahn Amaro, ‘War and Peace’ pages 281 to 291
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ifmjBAFiInaMUKwnik23zN1-91s65Knw/view
- Here the author uses Buddhist teachings of awareness, mindfulness and self-reflection to show how we can manage our attachment to negative states of mind
“The Contemplative’s Craft” by Ajahn Viradhammo, ‘Finding the deep peace of the Heart’, pages 43 to 52
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14PsQL5WC5MzgHT503HlrMduhF6CRjX5c/view
The readings are available from the Buddhist Library catalogue.
All are welcome to join our discussion.
Facilitator: Patricia Austin
Patricia has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 20 years. Her meditation training is in the Burmese Theravada tradition. Buddhism is integral to her daily life. Patricia was a clinical psychologist and is now retired. She previously worked in HIV/AIDS services and carried out research into the mental health of detained asylum seekers. For 19 years she worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in palliative care providing psychological therapy to the bereaved. Patricia lives on the NSW Central Coast with her husband.
Please be sure to register each month so we can email you the Zoom link before the meeting.
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 is shared between the Library and Teacher. It helps to maintain the Library and allows 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.