Date: 17 Aug – 19 Oct 2024 (Every Sat for 10 lessons)
Time: 2.30-4.30PM
Venue: The Buddhist Library
Register here
<<Correction 19 Jun 2024: the topics to be covered were previously listed as “Kamma” and “Dana”. This was a typo; the topics are actually “Rebirth” and “Dana”>>

“In the book “Who Is My Self” by Ayya Khema, three conditions were listed for the practice of meditation to bear fruit: Firstly, to know our own dukkha, to recognise where it comes from, and how it operates in our lives; the second is to gain confidence in the Buddha’s teaching and to realize that we can take this path; and the third is to experience joy at the opportunity we have been given.”

About this program

Are you looking to strengthen your understanding of Buddhism and your practice? Or are you interested in practicing Buddhism and are you new to it?

The Meditation and Dhamma class is a recurring programme at the Buddhist Library and is one of its more popular programmes in recent years. Each run of the class comprises ten sessions, and during each session the class mentors will lead meditation sessions as well as run through specific teachings of the Buddha. Time is also allocated for Q&A.

In this run of the course, the course mentors will be revising the topics of Rebirth and Dana.

Who is this program for?

  • Those who have been attending previous runs of the class
  • Beginners who have no knowledge of Buddhism or meditation, but have a keenness to learn

What are the topics?

Rebirth

  1. How exactly do our actions in this life and previous lives determine our rebirth destination?
  2. What or who is reborn? Is the same consciousness passed on from life to life?
  3. Does rebirth take place immediately?
  4. How long have beings been reborn?  Is there a beginning to this cycle of birth and death within saṃsāra?
  5. Can we not believe in rebirth and still practise Dhamma?

Dana

  1. Why is it important to start our dhamma practice with dāna?
  2. How does dāna support our spiritual growth & development?
  3. Why does the Buddha mention dāna (giving) and not cāga (generosity) in the various sets of instructions to laypeople?
  4. How do we get the most out of each act of giving? What is the best attitude when we give? What is the best gift? Who is the best person to give to?

About the teachers

The Meditation and Dhamma class mentors are Sis Foo Siew Fong (bio here), Sis Foo Siew Ee (bio here),  Sis Tan Sock Hoon and Bro Tan Chau Yee (bio here).

The Saturday Meditation and Dhamma class mentors aim to help fulfil the conditions described by Ayya Khema (as mentioned above). And they do it by sharing the strength and beauty of the Buddha’s teachings in a simple, clear and digestible way, practising various meditation techniques as taught by the Buddha, and providing practical applications for everyday life.

Through these weekly sessions, they hope to inspire in all participants an abiding curiosity, interest, and determination to explore the Dhamma and live life according to the Buddha’s teachings.

Register

If interested, do indicate your attendance here.

Donations

This programme is freely offered. To recoup the costs involved in running the Library and its programmes, do consider making a donation. The most expedient way to make a donation is by PayNow to UEN S81SS0026HBRS or scan below; do include the text “donation” in the Reference field. For other ways to donate, please see here.

 

Buddhist Library Working Fund QR code 佛教图书馆PayNow二维码

FAQ

 

You should already be a Buddhist if you wish to attend the Tuesday Guided Meditation class.

The Meditation and Dhamma Class, on the other hand, is open to persons with no knowledge of meditation or dhamma.

[If you already have knowledge of Buddhism, you can also choose to attend both the Tuesday programme and this one.]

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions to fully benefit from the course.

However, even if you have challenges in your schedule, you are welcome to register and attend. e.g. if you can only attend one or two lessons in the middle of the course, please still come.

To help us plan better for the course, please register.

We will also use your registered email to send you announcements, if there are any.

We will begin the class by paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma & Saṅgha, followed by a guided meditation session. Dhamma Bites will be next, with Q&A after that and then a second guided meditation session.  The class will end with the sharing of merit.

For those new to meditation, the course mentors have arranged to teach you in a separate classroom in the Library for the first 30-40min of the first 2 to 3 sessions.

For those new to Buddhism: the course mentors will, as part of the classes, guide you along.