Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend the classes if I've never meditated before and am a complete beginner?
YES. The classes are introductory and are suitable for beginners. People with more experience can also take the introductory classes and recieve benefit.
What if I already have quite a bit of experience with meditation and Buddhist concepts and wish something more than the introductory classes?
The Centre's programmes and classes are broadly structured to present Buddhist thought and practice in ever-increasing depth, from i) beginners interested in what Buddhism can do for them, to ii) those who wish to follow the Buddhist path in a more systematic manner, and iii) students who aspire to teach the Dharma. You choose the level that suits your aptitude and interests.
Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
NO. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.
Do I have to wait for the next series of classes to begin?
NO. Each class is self-contained. You can come to only one class, the whole series, or however many you wish. No previous knowledge is necessary.
Is it better to attend the whole series of classes, or is it okay if I just go to a few of the classes?
Attending the entire series of classes is highly beneficial because each class builds on the next. However, each class is taught in such a way that even if you only attend one class you will derive great meaning from it. Any little bit of meditation you do will help, so don't worry if you can't attend the whole series.
What does it cost?
Dharma teachings are always given for free. Vajravarahi Centre is a charity dedicated to serving others. In order to help cover our costs of operation we do suggest a fee structure, each evening class being £4. For those that are experiencing financial difficulties, please offer what you can. Our wish is to benefit everyone without exception. There is a donations basket available near the entrance to the meditation room, and you can pay by cash or cheque.
Do I need to pre-register for the General Programme classes?
No, pre-registration is not required.
Do I need to pre-register for the day courses and weekend courses?
It is helpful to the event coordinators if you pre-register. Details of how to do so are given in the course information.
How should I dress for the class and what should I bring?
Dress comfortably. If you wish to take notes, please bring a pen and notepad.
What happens during a class?
Classes vary in size depending upon the course or event and take place either in one of our meditation rooms at the main centre, the largest holding a maximum of about 150 people, or at one of our branch locations, which vary in size, usually 10 to 30 people. The teacher sits at the front of the room and begins by guiding a brief breathing meditation to help us calm our busy minds. This is followed by a review of the previous teaching and a new teaching for the evening. There is always lots of time for questions and answers. The teacher will guide a final meditation at the end of the evening, after which everyone is invited to stay for refreshments and to get to know one another.
What is meditation?
Meditation is simply a method to calm your mind in order to gain clarity and perspective on your life. There are many different kinds of meditations, all serving different purposes, but the common purpose is to make our mind calm and peaceful. We do this by developing positive states of mind in meditation and integrating this experience into our daily life. You don't need an excessive amount of time or experience to start meditating. All you need is a few minutes everyday to settle your mind. Once you learn the basic meditation techniques, you can use these methods for five minutes everyday to help you improve your life. If we train our mind to become peaceful we will be happy all the time, even in the most adverse conditions. But if our mind is not peaceful, even if we have the most pleasant external conditions we will not be happy. Therefore it is important to train our mind through meditation.
What Is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a major world religion that arose from the inspiration and teachings of Buddha. It is a complete way of life concerned with the wholesome development of the individual. Buddhism can be best summorized by the words of Buddha himself:
Learn to do good,
Cease to do harm,
Control the mind,
And benefit others.
Buddhism teaches us how to overcome our problems and difficulties by understanding and overcoming their causes. Whereas we usually look to outwards circumstances for the causes of our problems, Buddha taught us to look inwards. He showed how our feelings of dissatisfaction arise from negative states of mind - primarily anger, attachment and ignorance - and offered methods to eliminate these by developing generosity, compassion, wisdom and other positive states of mind. Through cultivating these qualities we discover an inner state of peace of strength.
Who was Buddha?
The founder of Buddhism was Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India some two and a half thousand years ago. Since then millions of people throughout the world have followed the pure spiritual path he revealed. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains in his book, Introduction to Buddhism:
"In General, 'Buddha' means 'Awakened One', someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is free from all faults and mental obstructions. There are many people who have become Buddhas in the past, and many people will become Buddhas in the future... There is nothing that Buddha does not know. Because he has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and removed all obstructions from his mind, he knows everything of the past, present and future, directly and simultaneously.
Moreover, Buddha has great compassion which is completely impartial, embracing all living beings without discrimination. He benefits all living beings without exception by emanating various forms throughout the universe, and by bestowing his blessings on their minds. Through recieving Buddha's blessings, all beings, even the lowliest animals, sometimes develop peaceful and virtuous states of mind. Eventually, through meeting an emanation of Buddha in the form of a Spiritual Guide, everyone will have the opportunity to enter the path to liberation and enlightenment. As the great Indian Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna said, "there is no one who has not recieved help from Buddha".
What relevance does Buddhism have to my life?
Although Buddhism first apeared in India over two and a half thousand years ago, it has a timeless and universal relevance. In a nutshell, Buddha explained that all our problems and suffering arise from confused and negative states of mind, and that all our happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful and positive states of mind. He taught methods for gradually overcoming our negative minds such as anger, jealousy and ignorance, and developing our positive minds such as love, compassion and wisdom. Through this we will come to experience lasting peace and happiness. These methods work for anyone, in any country, in any age. Once we have gained experience of them ourselves we can pass them on to others so that they too can experience the benefits.
Is the NKT part of Tibetan Buddhism?
No. The New Kadampa Tradition is global Buddhism. Just as the Tibetans faithfully adopted the practices taught to them by the great Indian masters and adapted it to their own culture, so Geshe Kelsang encourages people from all ethnic backgrounds to adopt the wisdom and compassion of Buddha and to put it into practice in a way that suits their particular culture.
VKBC is a member of the International Kadampa Buddhist Union. ©2006 New Kadampa Tradition. All rights reserved