Namo Buddha, Jai Bheem

Meditating at the Wolverhampton Buddhist Vihara:\r\n\r\nThere are 2 meditation sessions a week held at the Wolverhampton Buddhist Vihara. These are both between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday and Sundays.\r\n\r\nAll are welcome to come and join in. Please arrive 10 minutes early to get settled in the Shrine room.  The itinerary for mediatation sessions is as follows:\r\n\r\n7.00pm – Chanting by the monks and meditators/visitors\r\n\r\n7.05pm – 30 minutes of meditation\r\n\r\n7.35pm – Chanting by the monks and meditators/visitors\r\n\r\n7.40pm – Dhamma Talk by the monk(s)\r\n\r\n7.55pm – Chanting and metta practice by Monks meditators\r\n\r\n8.00pm – Tea/Coffee, biscuits and a friendly chat in the kitchen\r\n\r\nNew to Meditation – Come a little earlier and speak to the monk for guidance on how to meditate.  Please also see Basic Guide to Meditation.\r\n\r\nNew to the Wolverhampton Buddhist Vihara? – please see the What to Expect Guide.\r\n\r\nFor Further information please ring  \r\n\r\nMrs Kamla Chumber\r\n Wolverhampton Buddhist Vihara, \r\n Ambedkar Nagar\r\n Upper Zoar Street\r\n Pennfields, Wolverhampton.\r\n WV3 0JH\r\n\r\nTel: 01902 715094\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Basic Guide on How to Meditate:\r\n

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• Sit comfortably in a crossed legged posture (if you need to sit in a chair for medical reasons, choose a chair)

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• Place your open hand in the other palms facing upwards and rest them on your lap

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• Close your eyes gently and keep your mouth closed

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• Breath naturally through your nose (do not try to control the length of the breath, just the natural flow of breath)

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• Observe the breath going in through the nostrils and leaving the nostrils

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• Try to concentrate just on the breath leaving and entering the nostrils

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• Do not give any importance to any thoughts arising in the mind, concentrate on the breath

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• You may notice after a few breaths the mind will wonder, this is normal, don’t be disheartened

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• As soon as you are aware the mind has wondered away from observing the breath bring it back to observing the breath

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• Do this calmly, lovingly and with the knowledge that this is how the mind is at the moment, wondering here and there

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• If you feel pain in your legs and back from the posture, still try to concentrate on the breath

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• If you feel you need to change your posture then do so slowly and calmly as possible, being careful not to disturb other mediators

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\r\nWith practice you will realise you are able to observe the breath for longer and longer.

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What To Expect When Entering the Buddha Vihara:\r\n\r\nWhen entering the Buddha Vihara there are a few simple customs that all visitors are requested to follow and other others that visitors can, if they wish, take part in.\r\n\r\n\r\nCustoms that all visitors are requested to follow each time they enter the Shrine room:\r\n\r\n- Take off shoes\r\n\r\n- Take a seat either on the cushions on the floor, or on the seats at the back of the Shrine Room (these are usually used by people who find it difficult to sit on the floor).\r\n\r\n\r\nCustoms that are optional for visitors to follow:\r\n\r\n- On entry you may notice some other visitors paying respect to a statute of the Buddha. A Statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. You may notice visitors bowing to the statue as an expression of gratitude for the teaching.\r\n\r\n- The visitors may put some small change into the donation box at the front of the shrine room. This donation is used to help towards the day to day running of the Buddha Vihara and meeting the few needs of the Buddhist monks. The donation can be whatever is desired.\r\n\r\n- The monks always commence their talk by observing the Five Precepts of Buddhism.\r\n\r\nThe moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are:\r\n\r\n–  Not to take the life of anything\r\n\r\n–  Not to take anything not freely given\r\n\r\n– To abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence\r\n\r\n– To Refrain from untrue speech\r\n\r\n\r\n– To avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness\r\n\r\nThe congregation often repeat these in meditation after the monk.\r\n\r\nIt is customary to wait for the Monks to leave the Shrine room before the congregation exit the room (but if you should need to leave during any function, please use the door at the back of the Shrine room).

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