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INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
 Tushita
aims to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all
nationalities to contact, learn and put into practice the teachings of
the Buddha. With this in mind we organize regular introductory courses
on Buddhist philosophy and meditation.
Established in 1973, Tushita
has gained an international reputation for its Introduction
to Buddhism courses, which are equally
appropriate for beginners as well as those with some background
knowledge. These courses are usually residential and 10 days long.
During the first six days of the course,
experienced
Western and Tibetan teachers explain Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and
meditation from a modern perspective. Topics include:
- the mind and emotions
- karma
- rebirth
- love and compassion
- the nature of reality
 The
daily schedule combines teachings with various styles of meditation and
discussion groups. The course ends with a two-day intensive
meditation retreat to give you the chance to familiarize yourself with
and gain insight into the topics that were covered in the teachings.
Most importantly, you will learn how to apply these Buddhist techniques
to increase peace, happiness, and compassion in your daily life.
To create an atmosphere conducive for reflection
and
meditation, participants are required to keep silence for the duration
of the course except during discussion groups or question and answer
periods.
Since many of the ideas presented may be new or
different from one's own beliefs, we also ask people to keep an open
mind and be prepared to analyse and contemplate not only the teachings,
but also one's own views.
March to November 2009
Introduction to Buddhism Course Dates
| Month |
Dates |
Description |
| March 2009 |
2 - 10 |
9-day residential course
This course is also an excellent preparation for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public teachings August 4 – 6.
For more information please visit: www.dalailama.com & Mc Leod Ganj > HHDL’s Teachings.
|
| March/April 2009 |
24 - 2 |
10-day residential course
|
| April 2009 |
7 - 16
21- 30 |
10-day residential course
10-day residential course |
| May 2009 |
6 - 15 |
10-day residential course
|
| June 2009 |
16 - 25 |
10-day residential course
|
| July 2009 |
1 - 10
|
10-day residential course |
| July/Aug 2009 |
28 - 6 |
10-day residential course |
| August 2009 |
18 - 27 |
10-day residential course |
| September 2009 |
19 - 28 |
10-day residential course |
| October 2009 |
5 - 14
|
10-day residential course
|
| October/November 2009 |
24 - 2 |
10-day residential course |
| November 2009 |
5 - 14
17 - 21 |
10-day residential course
Special 5-day Residential course |
Please note : All dates are subject to change at short notice. Please confirm with Tushita before making your final travel arrangements.
Unless otherwise stated,
all of these courses are 10-day residential courses, which begin in the
afternoon of the first date and end after lunch on the last date.
For others activities during the year please visit our Calendar of Events.
Approximate Schedule for 10-Day Residential Introduction to Buddhism Courses
| Day 1 |
Check In |
| 1:00pm |
Registration (in the Dining Hall) |
| 4:30pm |
Welcome and Introductory talk |
| 6:15pm |
Dinner |
| 7:30pm |
Introduction to Meditation |
| Day 2-7 |
|
| 06:00am |
Wake up |
| 6.45 - 7.30am |
Mindfulness Meditation |
| 7:30am |
Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 11:00am |
Teaching |
| 11:15 - 12:00pm |
Stretching (if teacher available) |
| 12:00 - 2:00pm |
Lunch & Karma Yoga Jobs |
| 2:00 - 3:00pm |
Discussion Groups |
| 3:30 - 5:000pm |
Teaching |
| 5:30 - 6:15pm |
Guided Meditation |
| 6:15pm |
Dinner |
| 7:30pm |
Evening Meditation |
| Day 8-9 |
|
| 6:00am |
Wake up |
| 6:45 - 7:30am |
Mindfulness Meditation |
| 7:30am |
Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 9:45am |
Guided Meditation |
| 10:15 - 11:00am |
Guided Meditation |
| 11:15 - 12:00pm |
Stretching (if teacher available) |
| 12:00 - 2:15pm |
Lunch & Karma Yoga Jobs |
| 2:15 - 3:00pm |
Guided Meditation |
| 4:00 - 4:45pm |
Guided Meditation |
| 5:30 - 6:15pm |
Guided Meditation |
| 6:15pm |
Dinner |
| 7:30pm |
Evening Meditation |
| Day 10 |
|
| 6:00am |
Wake up |
| 6:45 - 7:30am |
Mindfulness Meditation |
| 7:30am |
Breakfast |
| 9:00am |
Final Talk and Feedback |
| 12:00pm |
Picnic Lunch |
| 1:00 - 3:00pm |
Check out |
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Course Registration
To
register for an Introduction to Buddhism course, please read all of the
above and below information about the course. Then complete the on-line registration form
in the Registration section of this website or visit the Tushita
Office. Please don't email just to ask about availability on the
course; usually there is enough space even up to the first day of the
course, and you'll save both yourself and Tushita staff save time and
effort by just completing the form!
-
Check-in time is
1pm on the first day of the course. If you arrive after 2pm, you may
lose your place to people on the waiting list.
-
Please note it is
not possible to reserve a single room unless you are elderly or have a
medical condition. For more information about our room allocation
system please visit accommodation FAQ
- Course
participants MAY be able to stay at the centre two days after the
course. Please consult the office for room availability.
Course discipline
- Do not leave Tushita property for the entire course.
Please settle all travel arrangements, calls, etc. before you come to
Tushita!
- Participants must attend all sessions of the course and come to sessions on time.
- You are expected to
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