Mindfulness Meditation Courses and Events-2007

Courses and Events-2007
The first course will run from 06 February-27 March 2007 at the following times:
Mindfulness of Breathing
Drop-in Classes

Every Tuesday
At 5.00-600.pm
At 6.30-7.30pm

Mindfulness based stress reduction 8 week course
Tuesday
At 6.30-7.30pm
6 Feb-27 March ( Group 1)
3 April- 22 May (Group 2)
29 May-17 July (Group 3
24July-Sep 18 (Group 4)
25 Sep-13 Nov (Group 5)

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness(8 week Course)
Wednesday
At 5.00-6.00pm
At 6.30-7.30pm
7 Feb-28 March (Group 1)
4 Apr-23 May (Group 2)
30 May-18 July (Group 3)
25 July-12 Sep (Group 4)
19 Sep-7 Nov (Group 5)

Mindfulness Based Stress Therapy for Cancer Patients and carers (Drop-in Class)
Thursday
At 5.00-6.00pm

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness(8 week Course for Cancer Patients and carers

Thursday
At 6.00-7.30pm
8 Feb-29 March ( Group 1)
5 Apr-24 May (Group 2)
31 May-19 July (Group 3)
26 July-13 Sep (Group 4)
20 Sep-8 Nov (Group 5)

Mindfulness meditation
For young people
Friday
At 3.00-4.00pm

Mindfulness Meditation
Advance Practice

Friday
At 6.30-7.30pm

In order to ensure your place on this course please email your interest to info@tsbv.org.uk as places will be limited.
Daytime and Individual Classes available on request.

Culture Minister unveils new Statue of Buddha on 2nd Anniversary of Tsunami

Culture Minister unveils New Statue of Buddha on
2nd Anniversary of Tsunami


Patricia Ferguson, MSP, Scottish Minister for Culture Tourism and Sports was invited to unveil newly carved sculpture of Buddha to commemorate the second anniversary of the Asian tsunami at Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara. The Buddha, believed to be the biggest in Europe was carved in situ in the Temple in Maryhill. It was commissioned to celebrate the Vihara moving into new premises at 1 Caldercuilt Road, Maryhill, Glasgow. The Buddha was carved by S. L. Senehedheera, a Sri Lankan artist, well known in Sri Lanka (where he was Art Director and programme producer) and U.K.

Despite being held on Boxing Day nearly hundred people gathered for the ceremony. Representatives of Christian, Ba’hai, Sikh and Hindu faiths took part in the traditional Buddhist ceremony held at the new premises.

There are currently five projects being developed in Sri Lanka funded by the generosity of the Scottish people and the Venerable K. Rewatha Thera, the Head Monk of the Vihara, thanked everyone who had contributed towards these projects. He will be visiting Sri Lanka in the New Year to ensure their progress

Invitation to the Commemoration of the Second Anniversary of the South East Asia Tsunami Disaster.

On the 26th of December 2004, the world was shocked to hear that south-east
Asia had been devastated by a tsunami. At least 230,000 people died and many more are still affected by the disaster.

To mark the 2nd anniversary of the tsunami, you are cordially invited to attend a commemoration service at Scotland’s new Buddhist Vihara in Maryhill, to be conducted by Venerable K. Sri Rewatha Thero at 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. on 26th December 2006.

After the service, Venerable Rewatha will give a brief report on relief projects in Sri Lanka which were made possible by the generosity of the people of Scotland.

Also on this day the new statue of the Buddha will be unveiled and blessed. This beautiful statue, the largest of its type in the U.K., was carved by a Sri Lankan artist at the new Vihara premises. This auspicious ritual will be completed according to Sri Lankan Theravada tradition.

Announcement

Meditation classes on 20th and 22nd of December are cancelled because Venerable Rewatha has to go London for the late Dr.Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Theros funaral service.Meditation classes will resume as normal on Tuesday 2nd January 2007.

THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOST VEN.DR.M.VAJIRAGNANA,CHIEF SANGHA NAYAKA OF GREAT BRITAIN.

It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing away of Most Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana, Head of the London Buddhist Vihara on 15th December 2006.

• The body of Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana will lie in state in the main hall of the London Buddhist Vihara for the public to view and pay respects from 4.30pm Wednesday 20th until 1.30pm Thursday 21st December.

• The religious service at the Vihara will begin at 12.30pm.

• The Cremation will take place at the West London Crematorium at Kensal Green, Harrow Road, London W10 4RA at 2.30pm on the same day (21st December).

Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

How to get there please visit
http://www.kensalgreencemetery.com/contact/index.html

Memorial service information for Ven. Vajiragnana.

• The “Mathaka Bana” Sermon will be held on Thursday 21st December 2006 at 7.30pm at the London Buddhist Vihara.

• The “seven day” Dana in memory of Late Venerable Dr. Vajiragnana will be held on Friday 22nd December 2006 at the London Buddhist Vihara.
All are welcome!

London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, London W4 1UD. Tel: 0208 9959493

Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara now established in new premises

Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara now established in new premises

As a result of the generosity of people from every corner of Britain, Scotland Buddhist Vihara was able to purchase new premises at 1 Caldercuilt Road in Maryhill, Glasgow. We are very grateful to those who supported us to enable this purchase. May this meritorious deed lead them to happiness and good health and wisdom.

Tsunami Fund Raising Event in Selkirk

During the first weekend in December the Border town of Selkirk plays host to hundreds of people who flock to the town to do Christmas shopping, enjoy a feast of free entertainment, and to soak up the atmosphere of an Edwardian Christmas. During these two days Selkirk transforms itself into an Edwardian town with many people dressing in period costume, the shopkeepers too enter into the spirit of things by decorating their shops in a traditional fashion.
This is all done to celebrate the close links between the town and the 19th century author Sir Walter Scott, who wrote such adventure stories as Ivanhoe & Waverley. He was also Sheriff of Serkirkshire and for many years dispensed justice from the Court House in Selkirk.

It was at one of the many venues in the town on Saturday 2nd December that Jean & Bill Murray (tsunami fund raisers) from Galashiels decided to hold their final event of the year. Besides having a stall at which tablecloths, toys, and bags ,made by the widows in Sri Lanka were sold, they sold hundreds of raffle tickets because the draw for the big raffle was to be made by Sir Walter Scott himself at 1.30 pm. Sir Walter duly arrived at a packed hall in a horse drawn carriage preceded by the town crier who acted as Master of Ceremonies whilst the three winning tickets were drawn. The first for £1000 the Second for £500 & the third for £150.
All three winners are elderly and live in the Borders, so apart from Jean, Bill and their many willing helpers raising money for Sri Lanka ( the final amount raised has yet to be advised) they have made it possible for three pensioners to have a really good Christmas. Well Done.

Invitation to the opening ceremony of Scotland's Buddhist Vihara at it's new premises

We would like to invite you to the Opening Ceremony of the new Vihara premises on Sunday the 03rd of December 2006 at 1.30 pm at No. 1, Caldercuilt Road, Glasgow, G20 0AD.

This auspicious occasion will be further enhanced by the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Venerable K. Sri Rewatha Thero being ordained as a monk.

The program of the event is as follows:

11:00 - 11:30 - Arriving at the New Vihara
11:30 – 11:45 - Buddha Puja
11:45 – 12:30 - Dana for the Monks
12:30 – 01:30 – Lunch for laypeople
01:30 – 03:30 – Pariththa Chanting (blessings) from Maha Sangha
03:30 – 04:00 – Ceylon Tea

Guests can come and participate in any part of the above schedule. They are free to leave at any time. We apologise for the short notice of this invitation, but the legal requirements of the purchase left us littlie time to make alternative arrangements.

We would like to express our gratitude to the many devotees and friends who have given so generously and make this meritorious event a reality.

With Metta,

Organising Committee