Welcome
We are a group of individuals from different backgrounds with a shared interest in Buddhist practice. We meet regularly in Maidstone to meditate together and discuss aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Our aim is to support each other in our practice by meditating together, discussing the Buddha’s teachings, and developing a spiritual community. Our meetings are open to anyone interested in Buddhist practice, whether complete beginners or experienced practitioners. We look forward to welcoming both old and new friends in the practice of the Dhamma, If you haven’t been for a while, please know you are more than welcome to join us again whenever you wish.
Introduction
The group began over 30 years ago and has evolved into a gathering of spiritual practitioners committed to the study and practice of the Buddha-Dhamma. The main source of our teachings are rooted in the Pali Canon, and we take inspiration mainly from teachers of the Thai Forest and Vipassana traditions. However, we do occasionally look to the wise teachings of great Buddhist masters in other traditions.
Meetings begin with a short period of chanting to focus our intention and aspiration, followed by a 40 minute period of meditation.
We are a peer-led group, where more experienced members are encouraged to volunteer to facilitate the evening, through an inspirational text, offer a Dhamma talk from a Pali text, Dhamma teacher, or a talk about how Dhamma can help us overcome our latent harmful tendencies that cause us stress and suffering. Ajhan Munn says: "To know your mind is to know the Dhamma". So our aim is to support Dhamma practitioners with study, practice and reflection, with the added encouragement of the practice of virtue or morality (sila) and loving-kindness (mettā), so that they can better understand their mind and the Dhamma.
All activities are offered voluntarily: participants are encouraged to make a donation to help cover the hire of the room and general running costs
We support each other's practice by offering activities outside our weekly meetings with meditation and study days, visits to Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries, and day retreats with London Insight. We also have social gatherings to encourage the development of spiritual friendship, which we see as a supportive and important aspect on the spiritual path.
Meetings begin with a short period of chanting to focus our intention and aspiration, followed by a 40 minute period of meditation.
We are a peer-led group, where more experienced members are encouraged to volunteer to facilitate the evening, through an inspirational text, offer a Dhamma talk from a Pali text, Dhamma teacher, or a talk about how Dhamma can help us overcome our latent harmful tendencies that cause us stress and suffering. Ajhan Munn says: "To know your mind is to know the Dhamma". So our aim is to support Dhamma practitioners with study, practice and reflection, with the added encouragement of the practice of virtue or morality (sila) and loving-kindness (mettā), so that they can better understand their mind and the Dhamma.
All activities are offered voluntarily: participants are encouraged to make a donation to help cover the hire of the room and general running costs
We support each other's practice by offering activities outside our weekly meetings with meditation and study days, visits to Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries, and day retreats with London Insight. We also have social gatherings to encourage the development of spiritual friendship, which we see as a supportive and important aspect on the spiritual path.
When & Where
The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm until 9.30pm in the Maidstone Community Support Centre, Marsham Street, Maidstone, ME14 1HH.
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You can also find us on Facebook by clicking the image on the left. It's a closed group but new members are welcome to join and share news, and find our updates about events and gatherings.
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Funding & DonationsOur practice is to foster generosity by encouraging participants to freely, in keeping with the Buddhist concept of generosity ‘dana’ – the unsolicited giving by participants according to their means.
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