The Buddhist Society

Tibetan Buddhism Class
2026-10-29 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-26 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-12-03 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-12-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-12-17 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.

Introducing Meditation - Saturdays
2026-10-31 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-11-07 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-11-14 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-11-21 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-11-28 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-12-05 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-12-12 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-12-19 15:00 - 16:30 and 13 more dates
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.

Zen Sundays Online
2026-11-29 11:00 - 15:30
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.
