Free 7 week course starting Monday 19th January 2026 at 6.30pm
Held at The Buddhist Society in person only
Next term’s Introducing Buddhism Course will be led by Roy Sutherwood and will be held in person only
Monday 19th January to 2nd March
Monday Evenings at 6.30pm
Each class runs for around 1 hour
This Course is Open to the Public, Free of Charge and there is No Need to Book
You can register to gain access to any extra course notes or ‘homework’ while the course is running
A Seven Week Course – IN PERSON ONLY
This course would be appropriate for anyone new to Buddhist meditation, or interested in giving a bit more context to their practise, or to anyone keen to refamiliarise themselves with the basic principles and practices of Buddhism.
The Buddhist Society’s ‘Introducing Buddhism’ course consists of seven consecutive talks designed to acquaint the newcomer with the basic fundamentals of Buddhism. Each talk is designed to give an introduction to the theory and practice of Buddhist teachings and how they relate to our everyday life and problems, in the modern world. Many experienced Buddhists have found these classes valuable in refreshing their understanding of the Dharma.
The Buddhist Society considers the Introducing Buddhism course to be of special importance as it forms the foundation for its structured programme. In this context, those who have attended this course are encouraged to continue their studies by attending the First Turning of the Wheel Course, The Great Way Course and the Gateway to the Vajrayana Course.
Those wishing to attend are asked to do so from the opening talk.
Subjects include:
Lesson 1. What is Buddhism? The Buddha’s life story – 19th January
Lesson 2. Three Signs of Being, Three Fires – 26th January
Lesson 3. Four Noble Truths – 2nd February
Lesson 4. Noble Eightfold Path – 9th February
Lesson 5. Wheel of Life, Karma & Re-birth – 16th February
Lesson 6. The Paramitas – 23rd February
Lesson 7. Meditation, Where to from here? – 2nd March
This course will be led by Roy Sutherwood, a former Director of Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London and a recognised foundation level teacher for the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Roy is a senior student of Geshe Tashi Tsering, currently Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University, Karnataka, India and has studied under masters of Buddhist philosophy and meditation for many years. He also teaches on the Society’s Introduction to Buddhism course and on Mahayana Buddhist topics at the Society’s annual Summer School.
