People often ask what Buddhism can do for society. If this is a question on your mind, come for Ambedkar Day this Sunday and hear about the Dharma revolution that’s uplifted and ‘liberated from hell’ millions of people – many of whom are part of our sangha today. One highlight of the day will be hearing the personal stories of 4 members of our sangha – Shubham, Dinesh, Vidya and Shanker – about how Buddhism and Dr Ambedkar have radically changed their minds, their lives and their communities.
You might be wondering who is Ambedkar?
A pivotal figure in the history of modern Buddhism, Dr Ambedkar is known for his social and political work for the Scheduled Caste community (formerly known as the ‘untouchable’ caste), and for playing a huge role in the revival of living Buddhism in India. A lifelong follower of Buddhism, Dr Ambedkar saw that the Dharma gives people the necessary tools to change their state of mind, the only true basis for the eradication of inequality in society. In 1956, Dr Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with 380,000 of his followers, giving them what they themselves described as a sense of freedom and uplift. It wasn’t just a nominal change in religion but a collective transformation, the effects of which continue in our sangha in India today.
On Ambedkar Day festival we will be honouring Dr Ambedkar, who, like his followers, came from the most downtrodden section of Indian society. Buddhism for him and for them was a means not only of individual liberation but for the transformation of the whole society. The Triratna Buddhist Order continues Dr Ambedkar‘s work in India today.
As well as honouring and celebrating this great man, we will also be hearing personal experiences from our own Indian sangha members about how Ambedkar’s life and work have shaped their lives and led them to be Buddhists today.
1pm – Shared Indian Feast (bring curries!)
2pm – Introduction to Dr Ambedkar and personal experiences from our own Indian sangha members
2:45pm – Chai break!
3:05pm – More stories from our sangha members
4:00pm – Ritual and mantra chanting
4:30pm – End
Open to everyone who has completed our 12-week introductory course.
Bookings are closed for this event.
I first became interested in Buddhism as a teenager from a chance encounter with a book found in my school library. I was immediately struck by how Buddhism taught that I could change how I experience the world and that I could grow as a person. However, it wasn’t until many years later at the Sheffield Buddhist centre, that I began to commit myself fully to Buddhist practice as I saw that practicing Buddhist teachings was having a very positive impact on my life and on the lives of others.
I was delighted to join the Still Learning Team in November 2018. My previous work has been as a teacher and as an artist and I feel privileged to be able to bring those skills together with my passion for Buddhism in order to teach children and young people about Buddhism.
I first came into contact with Buddhism in my final year of university when I attended an introductory course at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre. I was instantly captivated by the revolutionary yet practical nature of the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha).
I began to meditate and apply Buddhism into my daily life and found that it actually worked! I had started to view the world differently and in a way that made me happier. I gained great confidence by this and became a committed Buddhist practitioner soon afterwards.
I enjoy sharing with others what I have learnt and how Buddhism has transformed me so I was delighted to join the Still Learning team in October 2013.
We have a range of exercises and activities, depending on ages and ability levels, exploring Buddhist ethics and their implications for how we might live as Buddhists.
How did the Buddha become the Buddha? Who was he before? What is enlightenment?
An understanding of the Buddha’s life story is an indispensable introduction to the religion. We draw out the key aspects using a beautiful painting that depicts the different events from the story.
We often theme our tours and visits around the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dhamra and the Sangha. Find out why the Three Jewels are common and central to all schools of Buddhism.
