Welcome

Bodhicharya Kent is a Buddhist group based in the Medway town of Rochester, under the guidance of Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, a Tibetan Lama.  The group is focused around learning and practising meditation as well as studying and discussing the Buddhist teachings together.

Since 2013, we have been running regular meditation evenings every Tuesday, as well as other community events throughout the year, including public talks and retreats with visiting teachers from the Bodhicharya family.

The group and events are open to everyone. Perhaps you have an interest in Buddhism and want to find out more or are mainly looking to learn some meditation methods to apply in your daily life.  Whatever your motivation, an open and curious mind with a dash of scepticism will be most useful.

People who are new to Buddhism and/or meditation, as well as those who are experienced practitioners, are all welcome.

Starting the Journey: Buddhist Study, Reflection and Meditation

In Person and Online via Zoom

8:00pm – 9:30pm first Tuesday of the month (in term time)

These evenings will include an introduction to the Buddhist perspective on life, Buddhist meditation, and explore some of the key themes in Buddhism through the book, Parables of of the Heart, by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

 

 

This volume collects together the stories Ringu Tulku tells as part of his regular teaching of the Dharma. Extracted from previously published teachings, they are presented here with a brief note of the context in which they originally appeared and notes on the teaching they convey. Of course, part of the joy of stories as teachings is that their precise meaning is given to readers to find for themselves.

The stories are grouped according to theme, illustrating how every aspect of the Dharma is covered by these simple, engaging and often humorous tales. Ringu Tulku’s skill in engaging his audience shines through the stories, appealing both to long-standing Dharma practitioners and those still to set out on such a path. Also included in this volume is an interview with Ringu Tulku on the use of stories as teachings.

The general advice for attending these evenings is to come with an open, curious yet sceptical mind, and take away what makes sense and is useful and meaningful to you and leave aside what is less so.

Other than our regular group facilitator, Cesare, we also have visiting teachers throughout the year, so please check our event page for updates, thank you.

Please scroll down for the in-person venue details.

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09

Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887

Continuing the Journey: Buddhist Study, Reflection and Meditation

In Person and Online via Zoom

8.00pm – 9:30pm all other Tuesdays (in term time)

Topic

This term we will be following the book, The Six Paramitas, by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

The Six Paramitas, or “transcendent perfections,” contain all the skills needed for taming the mind and opening the heart.

Paramita is a Sanskrit word. Para means “beyond” and “the further shore” and mita, means “that which has arrived.” So, broadly speaking, Pāramitā, means “that which has gone to the further shore.”
For beginners, “the further shore” seems very far away. We can feel overwhelmed before we even set out. But in this, the eighth book of the Lazy Lama series, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche helps us to understand how the path of the bodhisattva is possible for all of us.

In providing this wonderful bridge on the journey from here to the further shore, Rinpoche reveals the Six Paramitas as bodhicitta in action, rather than an unattainable state of perfection. Through his wisdom and great compassion, warm humour and unfailing patience, Rinpoche shows us how these profound teachings are essential to our lives, especially in these times of stress and great uncertainty.

“I think everything that we need to improve our world, our society and our humanity is in the Six Paramitas. These practices can make our lives good temporarily, as well as bringing lasting peace and happiness. This is an approach based on compassion, on wishing to help not only myself, but all of us together. The attitude is not “I and you,” but “me and we.” Someone who has the courage or heart for this approach is called a Bodhisattva; and this awakening is not only of yourself, but of everybody.”

– Ringu Tulku Rinpoche

It’s recommended that you purchase the book here to help you follow along and get the most out of our exploration of this teaching together.

However, you are also most welcome to join in when you can, take away what makes sense and is useful and meaningful to you and leave aside what is less so.

Other than our regular group facilitator, Cesare, we also have visiting teachers throughout the year, so please check our event page for updates, thank you.

Please scroll down for the in-person venue details.

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09

Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887

 

Venue

Quaker Meeting House, Northgate, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LS

Cost

A voluntary donation of £5 (if you can) to keep the group self-sustainable and support its activities. Your presence is always valued more than your money. You can make a donation here, thank you for your generosity.

Bodhicharya Kent is run by volunteers and is part of the registered charity Bodhicharya UK.  Donations help pay for the room rent and refreshments, Dharma books and materials, the running of the website, bringing visiting teachers to the UK and to Kent and any support required around the arranging of events, as well as helping practitioners in their practice by subsidising retreat costs where necessary and possible.

We also have a separate voluntary donation for Rigul Trust, Ringu Tulku’s charitable Trust. For more information about Rigul Trust please see here.

Getting Here

Rochester train station is only two minutes walk away from the Quaker Meeting House.  If you are driving, then there are pay and display car parks at Rochester train station and behind the Quaker Meeting House.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions at all, then please do get in touch via our contact form here, thank you.