Café Shambhala: Reading & Meditation

About this event

Join us for a meditation, reading and discussion class every Wednesday evening from 6:30pm - 8pm. Join by Google Meet or attend the class in person at the Shambhala Center. This weekly event includes group meditation, followed by reading of a chapter from the current book, followed by group discussion on the material, plus refreshments and social time at the end. Readings and discussions are based on the book, "The Essence of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its Philosophy and Practice" by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche. This lucid overview of the Buddhist path takes the perspective of the three "vehicles" of Tibetan Buddhism: the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. While these vehicles are usually presented as a historical development, they are here equated with the attitudes that individuals bring to their Buddhist practice. Basic to them all, however, is the need to understand our own immediate condition. The primary tool for achieving this is meditation, and The Essence of Buddhism serves as a handbook for the various meditative approaches of Buddhist practice. Beginning with the Four Noble Truths, Traleg Rinpoche incorporates the expansive vision of the bodhisattva path and the transformative vision of Tantra. The final chapters present the transcendent view of Mahamudra. This view dispenses with all dualistic fixations and directly realizes the natural freedom of the mind itself. This is a drop-in class. No previous attendance, registration, or fee is required. Donations are always appreciated, but not mandatory. Suggested Donation range 150 - 300 Baht. The Bangkok Shambhala Center (which is a Thai non-profit Association) remains open because of the ongoing generosity of our members and program participants. Please be generous. Join the class by Google Meet (https://meet.google.com/ryj-qvkf-jrt), or attend the class in person at the Shambhala Center. Donations by bank transfer can be sent to our account: Shambhala Mandala Association Bangkok Bank, Silom Branch Account #: 118-327-3182 HOW TO GET HERE: We are located in Young Place Plaza on Soi Sukhumvit 23. Under the big sign for Young Place, we are in the green-painted building immediately to the left. Go up the stairs to the lobby and turn left to find the elevator. Hit the button for the 3rd floor, and our suite will be visible to the left, #118/79. You can tell taxis and motorbikes to go to Young Place on Soi 23. From the Asok BTS and the Sukhumvit MRT stations, a motorbike costs about 30 baht, or about a 15-minute walk.