How to Read a Mahayana Sutra (September 21)

I will be running a workshop at the London Buddhist Centre on September 21, 7.15-9.45pm on the theme of how to read a Mahayana Sutra. We will explore the Gandavyuha Sutra as our text and the workshop will combine general discussion of the nature, purpose, and approach of Mahayana sutras, with periods of visualisation, and even recitation. The Gandavyuha Sutra depicts the epic spiritual quest of the youth Sudhana, who represents the spiritual pilgrim traversing the path to Awakening. The text presents the spiritual path as a visionary pilgrimage whereby the individual is transformed by entering dazzling visionworlds (samadhi). It culminates in Sudhana's entry into the magical tower of Vairochana, a visionary expression of the truth of interdependence.

The workshop will also include a promotion for my new book, Visions of Mahayana Buddhism and there will be an opportunity to buy it.

Please come if you can.

Convention Book Launch (Review)

The book launch at the convention went well. Around 30-35 people attended. Maitripushpa gave a very moving introduction to Visions of Mahayana Buddhism, explaining some of its distinctive features. Ratnaguna then picked out a few aspects of the book that he had been particularly struck by. Finally, I read a couple of sections.

Convention Book launch

Visions of Mahayana Buddhism: WBO Convention Book Launch

I will be launching my new book Visions of Mahayana Buddhism, at the WBO convention at Wymondham College, near Norwich. The launch will take place on Saturday August 1 at 2.30 in the Tom Eaton Centre. Ratnaguna will be speaking about the book, as will my editor Maitripushpa. I will then read a short passage or two and then we may have some questions. Finally - and most importantly - there will be an opportunity to buy the book and even get it signed if you feel like.

This event is open only to members of the Western Buddhist Order.

How to Read a Mahayana Sutra (Buddhafield, July 18)

'Visionary Pilgrimage: Journeying through a Buddhist Scripture'

I delivered a workshop at this year's Buddhafield Festival which explored how a Buddhist scripture may engage our imagination by drawing us into a ‘vision-world’ in which we become not simply readers but participants, enabling us to grasp spiritual truths through luminous images.

I focused specifically on the Vimalakirti Sutra as an example and guided participants through a series of visualisations to evoke the atmosphere of this Mahayana Sutra. The workshop culminated in participants receiving an individual teaching from the great bodhisattva Vimalakirti.

I intend to present similar workshops at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, the London Buddhist Centre, and possibly elsewhere. Details to follow.

Mahayana Philosophy

I am giving a talk on Mahayana philosophy at the Manchester Buddhist Centre on June 22 at 7pm. The talk will deal principally with Madhyamika philosophy and especially the notion of shunyata or emptiness. This idea will be interpreted as a restatement of the key Buddhist teachings of Dependent Origination and no enduring identity (anatman).

All welcome!