Week 1 – Is Buddhism still relevant in the modern world, is it a philosophy, a practice or a religion?

Week 2 – Is there a right way to practice, is it better to be Theravada or Mahayana?

Week 3 – Is enlightenment the same as going to heaven?

Week 4 – How to know if Buddhism is for you

Each talk will stand alone; you can choose and pick which one you’d like to attend.

This talks will be held in person at the Library only. Please register so we know the numbers attending the Library.

Teacher profile

Giles Barton commenced his regular practice of meditation in 1992 and has taken part in many weekend and ten day retreats with well known local and international monks including two three month silent retreats at Bodhinyana  monastery with Ajahn Brahm in 2000 and 2003. He has been a regular teacher at the Buddhist library, and has also been active in supporting Buddhist communities in NSW. In addition to facilitating a number of retreats for young people and adults he has presented at the 2000 Australian Suicide prevention conference on a Buddhist approach to suicide prevention and contributed a chapter in 2007 to the book  ‘Spirited Practices’  based on people’s use of their  spirituality in the helping professions.  He commenced working with children and their families in the oncology unit at the old Royal Alexander  Children’s hospital in Camperdown in 1989, in which time he also commenced volunteer work with teenagers with Cancer (CanTeen) and served on both the state committee and was a member of the National Board from 1992-1995.  After leaving the Children’s hospital he went on to specialise in Child & Adolescent psychiatry and continues to work in the field on Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental health as a Clinical coordinator for inpatient and community services for the local health district  where there is an increasing emphasis on trauma informed interventions. He has a post graduate diploma in child and adolescent development and Masters in Behavioural Science (Distinction) for research into adolescent spirituality.

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 equally with the teacher and the Buddhist Library. This helps to maintain the Library and supports the teacher so that they may offer more teachings on the Dhamma 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