Tibetan Buddhism Class
2025-12-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-12-25 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-15 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Students are asked to join The Buddhist Society as members if they wish to attend this class
Join here

Thursdays in term time at The Buddhist Society and online at 6.30pm UK
Join Zoom Meeting
https://thebuddhistsociety.zoom.us/j/268852436
Meeting ID: 268 852 436
This class is usually on a Thursday evening at 6.30pm.
This class is for members of The Buddhist Society
The class begins with a meditation, followed by the presentation and discussion of instructions and philosophical topics from a text. For this term, the text we will be following is: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche’s ‘Luminous Clarity: A Commentary on Karma Chagme’s Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen.’

For Buddhists, Enlightenment is not some vague esoteric idea but a precise and attainable goal and success in the achievement of it, like success in any venture, depends upon following the steps laid out by those who have already attained it. These teachings will be presented, discussed and meditated upon in the traditional sequence, as methods for investigating and transforming one’s attitudes, developing positive qualities and striving to realise Enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The meditation is on the nature of the mind. This is practised in all Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Zen and particularly in Tibetan Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
The nature of mind has certain unique properties as an object of meditation. The mind is doing the meditation, and it meditates on its own nature, to the point of experiencing that nature like water poured into water. In other words, this is a special practice for achieving non-duality of subject and object.
In the meditation on the nature of mind in the Tibetan tradition presented in these classes, one first practices calm abiding meditation on the conventional nature of the mind. This means concentrating single-pointedly on clarity and awareness. It’s a bit like a mirror becoming self-conscious.
Based on that, one uses the stable mind thus developed, to develop insight into the ultimate nature of the mind, its lack of inherent existence, and thereby come to a much deeper experience of the groundlessness of one’s being. The mirror recognises its own emptiness.
There are methods taught for unifying these two stages of the meditation. This union of calm abiding and penetrative insight is the goal of the practices to be learned and engaged in during these classes. It finally leads to nirvana – the cessation of suffering and its causes.
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.

Lunchtime Meditation with Deirdre Cunningham - in person and online
2025-12-19 12:40 - 13:20, 2026-01-09 12:40 - 13:20 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in term time 12:40pm to 1:20pm UK
Online and in person Mondays and Fridays

In person only Wednesdays and Thursdays

12.40pm to 1.20pm UK GMT

Free to attend – no booking required
Join us on Zoom
https://thebuddhistsociety.zoom.us/j/606946335?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 606 946 335
Password: [REDACTED]
Dial by your location
0208 080 6592 United Kingdom
Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. The forty minute session covers a short talk on meditation plus thirty minutes meditation. If required, instruction will be given on breathing and posture.
These classes are currently being taken by Richard Bober on Mondays, previously a lay teacher of the Monday evening Theravada Class, and Wednesday’s class is led by (Senior Elder) Ven. G. B. Kassapa Maha Thera (Rev. Shelley Bruce Miles), John Bedding will lead the Thursdays Class and Deirdre Cunningham, a long term member of the Zen Centre and teacher of the First Turning of the Wheel course, on Fridays.
This class is open to members of the public. Newcomers welcome.

Introducing Meditation - Saturdays
2025-12-20 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-27 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-01-03 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-01-10 15:00 - 16:30 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Saturdays in term time – in person only
This class is usually run on Saturdays from 3pm – 4.30pm
This class is open to members of the public. Newcomers welcome.
This is a general meditation class for beginners and welcomes newcomers and older hands alike from any or no particular school of Buddhism. The duration of this class is an hour and a half. Newcomers can arrive at 2.45 pm so that instruction on meditation can be given if required. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions or discuss difficulties with the sitting practice either before or after the class. This informal and friendly class meets in the Lecture Hall every Saturday except on the Society’s special days or when the Society is closed.
Meditation practice lasts an hour and there may also be a short talk or reading. This class welcomes guest teachers.

Coming Home in Daily Life - online Sunday Morning Meditation
2025-12-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Meditation: Coming Home in Daily Life
Online Sunday Morning Meditation
Sundays at 10am (unless when there is a Zen Sunday which is usually the last Sunday of the month in term time)
10am on Zoom for 50 minutes
Join Zoom Meeting
https://thebuddhistsociety.zoom.us/j/86293056161
Meeting ID: 862 9305 6161
Dial by your location
0203 901 7895 United Kingdom
Introduction to the principles of meditation both in sitting practice and daily life. The session will consist of a 15 minute talk on a relevant aspect of Buddhist practice and 30 minutes of sitting meditation with an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.
Led by Debbie Sherlock, a Zen practitioner who has experience in both the monastic setting and lay life.

Introducing Sanskrit with James Whelan - online only
2025-12-24 13:45 - 15:00, 2025-12-31 13:45 - 15:00, 2026-01-07 13:45 - 15:00, 2026-01-14 13:45 - 15:00 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
New weekly course format

Introducing Sanskrit with James Whelan
Sanskrit and Pali for Buddhists talk given by James Whelan 31st August 2022
Wednesdays at 1.45pm:

Introducing Sanskrit with Bodhicaryavatara – 1.45pm – 3pm

These classes are free and open to non-members but registration is required and attendance is at the teacher’s discretion.
Join us on Zoom
James Whelan continues to offer Sanskrit teaching by Zoom through the Buddhist Society on Wednesdays from 22nd May at 1.45pm in term time.

INTRODUCING SANSKRIT BY JAMES WHELAN
Wednesdays at 1.45pm – 3pm Online only
These classes are free and open to non-members but registration is required and attendance is at the teacher’s discretion..
Following on from the interest in Ringu Tulku Rinpoche’s excellent teachings on Shantideva’sBodhisattva’s Way of Life (Bodhicaryāvatāra), in these classes we will be going through sections of the Bodhicaryāvatāra.
This course is suitable for those who wish to benefit by having the direct flavour of the Sanskrit original without having already gone through the entire language-learning process.
Students will be going straight into the authentic Sanskrit text, and will be taken through it methodically word by word, with a detailed analysis of the vocabulary, and grammatical explanations sufficient to make sense of the material. The essence of this teaching system is learning by exposure and repetition, with questions and discussion from the students actively encouraged.
Shāntideva’sBodhicaryāvatāra
James has prepared an annotated edition, with the original text (in Devanagari with romanised transliteration), translation, sentence breakdown, with vocabulary and grammar notes. This will be available to all students who register. Although the primary focus of the classes will be the Bodhicaryāvatāra, advance questions on any aspect of Sanskrit – especially the language and usages of the Buddhist works – will be welcomed and, where appropriate, will be dealt with in the class. There are also YouTube videos of the material being studied in the class, which will serve multiple purposes: advance preparation, revision, the repetition so vital for language learning, and catching up for those who may have to miss a class. They will also serve as a “taster”.
Links will be provided for study materials available on the internet, including Macdonell’s Sanskrit Grammar for Students, and the Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
For formal grammar study, James has prepared a series of YouTube videos based on Thomas Egenes Introduction to Sanskrit.
Links to all of the study materials, including the annotated version of the Bodhicaryāvatāra and the grammar lessons, will be found in James’s Study Resources Guide, which will be available to all who register.
About the Teacher:
James Whelan has been a practising Buddhist since his undergraduate days in the 1960s. He started learning Sanskrit and Pali in late 1965, and has maintained his interest and studies since then. He qualified as a language teacher in 1970, before entering the law in 1973. In addition to his main work as a lawyer, he has been a professional legal translator since 1977.

Zen Sundays Online
2025-12-28 11:00 - 15:30 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Usually the last Sunday of the month in term time
Free online monthly classes through Zoom – details below

Join Zoom Meeting
https://thebuddhistsociety.zoom.us/j/89123490588
Meeting ID: 891 2349 0588
Zen Sundays are for newcomers wishing to learn more about Zen Buddhism and seasoned practitioners alike.
These classes are open to all, but are designed for those unable to attend during the week, allowing them to engage fully in the Zen training programme. There will be an opportunity to have a personal talk with an experienced teacher.
– Morning session run by senior members of Shobo-an Zen Temple
– Afternoon session led by ordained members of the sangha
This class is usually run on Sundays monthly (online schedule 11.00am 12:00pm and 2:00pm to 3:30pm) and is open to non-members and newcomers.
Please arrive a few minutes before the class starts to settle in
These classes are free and open to non-members but students are encouraged to join The Buddhist Society as members to support our wonderful free classes and courses and donations are very welcome.

Lunchtime Meditation with Richard Bober in person and online
2026-01-05 12:40 - 13:20, 2026-01-12 12:40 - 13:20 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom

Lunchtime Meditation with Ven GB Kassapa Maha Thera - in person only
2026-01-07 12:40 - 13:20, 2026-01-14 12:40 - 13:20 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom

Lunchtime Meditation with John Bedding in person only
2026-01-08 12:40 - 13:20, 2026-01-15 12:40 - 13:20 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom

Basic Meditation
2026-01-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-09 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-15 18:30 - 20:00 | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Thursdays at 6.30pm in term time – online only

This online class will be led by Colin Ash with Richard Bober and Ajahn Barry Subhaddo on Thursdays at 6:30pm
Thursdays at 6:30pm in term time – newcomers welcome – no booking required – free to attend

https://thebuddhistsociety.zoom.us/j/84706391957?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 847 0639 1957
Password: [REDACTED]
Special Guest Teachings 2025:
Ajahn Barry Subhaddo 17th July
Students are asked to join the online class around five minutes before it starts to get settled in
Based on the practice of mindfulness as taught by the Buddha, this class meets every Thursday evening. The class usually has a good balance of experienced meditators and complete beginners. There are no entry requirements other than an open mind. However, some prior knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings can help clarify whatever one may experience in meditation. Also, the focus of the class is very much on meditation as an integral part of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. The best way to find out about meditation is not by reading books but by direct, first-hand experience.
Below is the usual schedule for the Basic Meditation class which we hope to return to after travel restrictions have been lifted.
Held under the guidance of Colin Ash, this class is based on the practice of mindfulness as taught by the Buddha. The class welcomes visiting teachers: please telephone the Society for details.
This class is free to attend and no booking is required, but we encourage visitors to join as members as well as make donations to support our wonderful free classes and courses.
Class documents:
Generating the Mind of Enlightenment
