Buddhism can help us to see the world with new eyes — as it really is
The basic message of Buddhism is straightforward and practical:
- We can’t rely on anything to be fixed or permanent
- Our actions have consequences
- We can change
Buddhist teachings can help us to live a life that has more meaning and purpose, whatever our circumstances.
Buddhism offers a range of practices — ethical guidelines; meditation; study; ritual; community and friendship — that help us develop wisdom and compassion.
The Triratna tradition
Manchester Buddhist Centre is part of the Triratna Buddhist Community
Since the time of the Buddha, many Buddhist schools have come into being. Sangharakshita, Triratna’s founder, has been inspired by the core teachings underlying and unifying the Buddhist tradition as a whole.
The Triratna tradition continues to develop ways of practice that are relevant to the 21st century.
- Details of introductory Buddhism courses
The Buddhist Path
The Buddhist path has three essential strands:
We try and live our lives within the ethical guidelines that the Buddha taught –
- not harming anything
- being generous
- living a simple and contented life
- speaking truthfully
- living mindfully
These guidelines help us to live with a clear mind and develop positive feelings. Acting more skilfully also has a positive impact on those around us.
We develop both awareness and positive feelings through our meditation practice. We become more mindful of our actions, thoughts and bodily sensations and can see more clearly their effect on us and others. We also become more positive towards ourselves and those around us.
Through these practices, and through studying Buddhist teachings, ritual, and spiritual friendship, we begin to see life more how it really is — that we and everything around us are in continual process, and there are many factors at play in those processes.
When we see this we learn that grasping after things to stay the same, or be how we want them to be rather than how they are, just causes us and others pain. We learn we can change our relationship to things to help us feel more liberated and compassionate.