Westman Dharma Group eager to educate residents about Buddhism
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2017 (2971 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Westman Dharma Group held its first service on July 23, allowing practising Buddhists, or anyone with an interest in learning more to gather to discuss the teachings of the Buddha.
Just a few weeks ago, those looking to practise Buddhism in Westman would have found themselves without options.
“I travel into Winnipeg monthly for the services at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple where I’m a member,” said Robert Brown, lay leader at Westman Dharma Group. “We just thought it would be really nice if there was something for people in the Westman area.”
Brown, a practising Buddhist for seven years, said there are several different practices of Buddhism, but that the services conducted in Brandon are modelled after those that take place at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple in Winnipeg.
The centre is located at 1117 Assiniboine Ave. The area has a space for services as well as a meditation hall.
Chanting and meditation are commonplace in the service. Brown said they also have discussions about Dharma — cosmic law and order — the teachings of the Buddha, and how they apply to life.
“Because the centre is new, for the first year we’ll be going through a series of talks about basic Buddhism,” Brown said. “We’ll start from the beginning and go more into the basic aspects of Buddhism, and study them really closely.”
Brown said the group will include information sessions in their services so that Brandonites who currently don’t practise can have the opportunity to learn more.
Buddhism is a vast religion, with a number of different schools and teachings from around the world, all with similar fundamentals.
Brown said it’s very easy to get wrapped up in the details of the different Buddhist teachings, but that the core fundamentals are the same, and are what have the ability to change perspectives and lives.
“Right now is a great time for people who are interested to come down and check it out,” Brown said.
The first service held at the centre consisted of a brief overview of the Buddha’s life, and introduced the topic of the four noble truths.
“The four noble truths were the topic of the first lecture or sermon that the Buddha gave after his enlightenment,” Brown said.
Yesterday, the group got underway again and took an in-depth look into the four noble truths. A period of questions and discussions followed.
Brown said he’s working toward ordination, and has some knowledge about Buddhism to share. He’s looking forward to attracting people who are well versed in other schools of Buddhism to contribute to the diversity of thought in the group.
“We basically just want to see if we can deepen our understanding a little bit more, together as a community,” Brown said.
Westman Dharma Group can be found on Facebook.
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