Place of Peace, Wales

Dharma Reflections from The Place of Peace

In these monthly Dharma talks Rev.Master Myōhō describes the unfolding of the life of faith within a small Buddhist temple. She also explores the intimate and detailed teaching that the heart of Buddhist practice reveals to us in the midst of worldly events, current issues and the ordinary activities of daily life.

For more information, please contact Rev. Master Myōhō on 01970 626805 (before 7 pm).
Thank you.

INDIVIDUAL TALKS

For those who may be interested in hearing Dharma talks, but do not wish to receive them on a monthly basis, the following, taken from the Dharma Reflections Series, are available as individual tapes or CDs, please state which you prefer.

COSTS

In order to make these available to those with a low income there is no set charge for these talks. As with the monthly issues we ask that our costs of £3.00 per tape / CD (which includes postage if you live in the UK) be covered and then ask you to add a donation of your choice, made payable to our charity "The Life of Faith".

This Buddhist Temple has no form of financial support other than lay donations and the offerings from these talks are greatly appreciated and form a vital part of our income. Thank you.

The Place of Peace is entirely dependent upon voluntary donations to our trust fund 'THE LIFE OF FAITH', Registered Charity No. 1091548.

A: 35 min	A Buddhist Perspective of Christmas Offers an alternative view of the traditional symbols that surround us during the festive season, including the pine tree, star, jewelled decoration and more. Looks at how, in Buddhism, our ability to live from the heart of meditation can be seen as our saviour.
B: 40 min	Peace on Earth The 'earth' seen here as both the planet we inhabit and our own bodies and minds. Looks at how all that we store within affects both ourselves and all that surrounds us, so by undertaking Buddhist training we help both ourselves and the world we live in.

Children's Buddhist Stories
A: 30 min	The Golden Dragon and the Two Princes Tells how a divided kingdom is reunited by wisdom.
B 40 min	The Beast who becomes a Bodhisattva A beast who doesn't like himself, meets a monk. Together they hear the Buddha teach and the beast is inspired to change. He overcomes his fear of being disliked and turns his life around.

A:
35 min

Leaving behind self-doubt and fear
Addresses question and issues raised by many women, whilst also being relevant to men. Looks at training with feelings of inadequacy and how to be true to yourself through taking refuge in the completeness of that which we all are.

B:
40 min

Buddhist Female Iconography
Includes among others, Prajnaparamita, the Buddha of The Scripture of Great Wisdom, also known as the "Mother of Buddha's", and Locani, the Buddha of shunyata (there is nothing from the first). She has the eye of universal knowledge that guides beings to awakening. Also Saravasti who guards the Treasure of the Dharma and is associated with the arts, learning and eloquence.

A:
45 min

The Buddha's Words on Loving kindness
This short, simple yet profound, scripture was spoken by Shakyamuni to his monks. It describes, in detail, how to be at ease with oneself, which is the beginning of living in harmony with others. By allowing dualistic thoughts and feelings to fall away we no longer create a division between ourselves and others, from this comes forth a natural sympathy for all beings.
Includes A4 photocopy of the Scripture

B:
35 min

Our Natural Pace.
We can cherish and nourish ourselves by trusting in the sufficiency that is the root of our humanity. This will reveal itself as we meditate and live the Buddhist life. Through training this guides us and enables each to find their natural (sustainable) pace. Looks at acceptance, how to go on when we doubt we can and at the unsatisfactoriness of avoidance.

A:
40 min

How we use our minds
Buddhist Teaching tells us that mind is the forerunner of all activity. We explore and question deeply ingrained habit patterns of receiving and responding to feelings that arise within us and circumstances around us. Looks at how we create the world we live in by the way in which we view it. Ultimately the only thing that can hold us back is how we use our minds, so it's an invaluable area to reflect upon.

B:
30 min

Just Be
Looking at contemplation which is as a bridge between formal meditation and daily life. Offers some simple guidelines on how to relax in a meditative way, letting the mind rest in the heart, and just being open to whatever wishes to come forth. There is a great value in just 'being', and it is time well spent.

A + B
80 min

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
1. Bodily movement/activity; 2. Feelings and sensations 3. The mind and its states; 4. Mindfulness of mental contents (all that we hold onto and store within us)
Through Buddhist Practice we come to rediscover the link between our hearts (the source of wisdom and compassion within all beings) and our minds. This connection gives us a different perspective on our lives and what it means to be a human being.
Explores the world of feelings and looks at how 'good' and 'bad' feelings have the same root. There is no duality. Through ignorance and confusion we act in ways that cause us distress. As the 'relinking' deepens we question what is real and seek to learn from rather than be driven by our feelings.