Welcome to the Sangha Page
Sangha Night
An evening of talks, discussion, meditation and ritual exploring the current Sangha night theme. Sangha night is open to those who have completed our Introductory Course (not suitable for newcomers).
Baked Potato Club
Doors open from 6pm – food served from 6.30pm.
We invite you to bring vegetarian accompaniments for our yummy baked potatoes – salads/vegetables, curry/chilli, hummus/dips – hot food especially welcome, or desserts and sweets! Coming along early for the shared meal is a great way to meet new friends, catch up with old ones and to help build Sangha.
Programme
7.30pm – 8.20pm Dharma Talk
8.20pm – 9.00pm Discussion groups
9.00pm – 9.20pm Tea Break
9.25pm – 10pm Meditation
Coming up at Sangha Night
Sorry, there aren't any events on this page at the moment. Try the calendar page for other things on at the Buddhist Centre.
Listen again to Sangha night talks
Mindfulness of Breathing 1
Maitrivasin leads the Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation with some reflections on integration.
Facing Fear
Fear is a very powerful emotion and a natural response to danger. Drawing on personal experience and three traditional (more…)
Creating Compassion
In this talk, Maitridasa explores how we can develop positive emotions to benefit both ourselves and others in times of suffering. He draws on his personal experiences of how to use dukkha as a tool to increase our empathy and solidarity with others. When we feel fear, anxiety, sadness, or grief, we can turn our mind to our friends, and to all others who are experiencing the same or worse, at that very moment, so that our dukkha is transformed into compassion and a sense of solidarity. We can do this formally in our metta bhavana practice, and at any other time.
The current series of talks come under our theme 'Dharma for Difficult Times'. We cannot control the current situation, but we do have a choice between a negative and a creative response. If we can see adversity from a Dharmic perspective, it could be an opportunity to take our practice – and our Sangha – to a new level.
Many people are becoming painfully aware that worldly life cannot deliver lasting happiness and safety. The Buddha pointed out that there is a deeper happiness to be found, above worldly circumstances, by fulfilling our spiritual potential, by growing towards a higher level of being. Having our worldly refuges so roughly taken away from us can be an opportunity to make our Going for Refuge to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha far more wholehearted.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
Which strategies for emotional distancing can you recognise in yourself?
How could you contact other people's suffering more fully without becoming overwhelmed?
Recorded at Sheffield Buddhist Centre on 07.04.20
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You can find an archive of audio versions of earlier talks here
Jul 2020
This major Buddhist Festival celebrates the truth as seen by the Buddha, and the path that leads to the truth.
Special Events
We run events of many sorts for people at all levels of commitment – short retreats, study of Buddhist texts, meditative ‘sesshins’ and occasional arts activities like singing workshops.
We also celebrate the major festivals of the Buddhist calendar:
- Wesak and Parinirvana Day, commemorating the Buddha’s Enlightenment and his death.
- Dharma Day and Sangha Day celebrating the Buddha’s teachings and the spiritual community of his followers.
- Padmasambhava Day when we fete the historical and mythological accomplishments of the character who established Buddhism in Tibet.
Regular Events
Information on what’s on every week at the Buddhist Centre. Please check the Calendar during holidays, timings may vary.
7.30 AM – 8.20 AM
Morning Meditation
Fridays
7.30 pM – 9.00 pM
Practice Evening
An evening of stillness and meditation. Led by Jayagupta and Dayarakshita.
Tuesdays
1.00 pM – 2.00 pM
Lunchtime Meditation
One-hour sessions including led body awareness and mindfulness of breathing or development of loving kindness meditation. Ideal for newcomers or anyone looking for a quieter, stiller way to spend their lunch hour. Free but donations welcome.
Looking ahead, dates for your diary
Jul 2020
This major Buddhist Festival celebrates the truth as seen by the Buddha, and the path that leads to the truth.
Generosity
We invite everyone who uses the Buddhist Centre to be part of the mandala of generosity by giving money and/or practical help.
The bedrock of the dana economy is the standing order income which pays the bills and the living expenses of the Centre Team. If you value the Centre, please consider setting up one of these.
You can also make donations online or put cheques (made out to ‘Sheffield Buddhist Centre’) in the Dana Bowls at the Centre. If you’d like to set up a standing order to us please go to our Standing Orders Page
Practical Generosity - Volunteering with the sangha
Generosity is of fundamental importance in Buddhism and our aim is to inspire a living culture of generosity throughout the sangha. This is expressed in the way we share Buddhist teachings, the way we finance the centre and our strong volunteer culture. Most of the people running events are volunteers, our busy Centre relies on people being generous with practical help. Volunteers support the Centre Team with organising events, admin work, help setting up and cleaning away. Volunteers keep our building and garden beautiful, clean and running efficiently.
Join the Mandala of Generosity
The Centre needs help with all kinds of practical tasks from gardening and DIY to supporting events and doing jobs behind the scenes. There are many opportunities to support regular events such as sangha night, introductory classes and works days. You don’t need to be experienced in order to get involved, just a friendly and willing attitude.
Give in the way most appropriate to you
This could be money or skills but we find the most rewarding can be to give your time to practical work with the sangha. There are several volunteer teams that meet on different days of the week and between them cover nearly all aspects of Sheffield sangha activities! See the diagram of volunteering opportunities available. If you have some spare time, or if you have a particular talent or ability that you’d like to share, do get in touch and join the team.