Note - Latest Vishvapani Talks Now Available

The latest "Thought for the Day" talks by Vishvapani are now available in our Audio Section.

"Education"

The Buddhist ethical precepts telling people to avoid killing, lying and so on, are described as ‘training principles’ that invite us to adopt the underlying attitude the rule expresses...................................


"Shakespeare and the Buddha"

"For me, Shakespeare is more than a poet or a playwright. Of course, he isn’t a teacher as the Buddha is. But I see them both, in different ways, as heroes of consciousness who offer new ways of seeing and open up new ways of being".

Dennis Sibley 1950 - 2016

Sadly I heard yesterday of the death on Tuesday of Dennis Sibley who was one of the original pioneers involved with bringing Buddhism to the island. He had been involved with Buddhism for almost 40 years and in 1986 co-founded "The Buddhist Hospice Trust" with his friend, the late Ray Wills to care for people with advanced dementia.

I only met Dennis the once when he visited me in Totland to find out about the West Wight Sangha as part of a project to write a book on the development and growth of the various Buddhist groups on the isle of Wight. Regretfully, as far as I know, this never came to fruition but I know he would have been delighted to hear of the new group in Ryde. You can however read "The Laughing Buddha, Humour and the Spiritual Life", one of his pieces which gives you an insight into what made Dennis tick.

"For me, humour is essential in our lives and invaluable in the face of old age, illness and death".

Dennis Sibley

New Buddhist Group Starting in Ryde!

I have been in communication with Meme who is starting a Buddhist Meet Up group in Ryde.

Her spiritual journey started many years ago. she is a Meditation Teacher, Mindfulness Teacher and Complementary Therapist.

Since moving to the Island a year ago, she explored the idea of joining a Buddhist group; this, alongside the Sea of course, was one of the main reasons for her relocation. She found that despite there being a thriving Buddhist Community on the Island, there didn't appear to be a group which meets weekly, in Ryde.

The aim of the Meet Up, is to initially bring like-minded people in the area together, and have a relaxed chat over a cup of Coffee. It's her future intention to find a quiet venue, and set up a Sangha community in the Ryde area, where fellow Buddhists can meditate and explore the Dharma together.

Initially, meetings will be the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 2pm - 3.30pm at the Bagel Wrap, 61a Union Street, Ryde, PO33 2LG, STARTING THIS SATURDAY THE 16th!

The group will be non denominational and of gentle form. A typical session will consist of a period of silent meditation, a break for tea, a recorded talk from the Gaia House Dharma Teachers, a further period of silent meditation and a Metta prayer to end the session.

She hopes to see you soon (her website is http://www.innercalm.info).

NEW MOON - Now and the Future

Live your life well in accord with Dhamma -
avoid a life of distraction.
A life well-lived leads to contentment,
both now and in the future.

Dhammapada 169

Probably most of us have benefited from the encouragement given by our spiritual teachers to pay attention to the 'here-and-now'. The way we apply this teaching, however, makes a big difference. For instance, clinging to it as an ideal and not really applying it moment to moment can lead to naivety. Such naivety sometimes even parades as spirituality. A wise way of relating to this teaching by the Buddha would be to remember to not-cling, even to great ideals like this one. And to contemplate clearly, with sensitive awareness, how paying attention to 'here-and-now', directly contributes to well-being in the future. It is not that we should blind ourselves to considerations of the future; rather to reflect on how our conduct in this moment affects our experience of the future.