I would like to start a lay study/meditation/social group where I live. My vision is like an English class style discussion group based on the suttas. We would analyze and apply them to our lives. I want it to be friendly and enjoyable and relationship oriented.
I could use the local library to host our gatherings. I have put up a website. I will not use social media. I do not think many people where I live know anything about Buddhism. How should I skillfully advertise, not proselytize? I am thinking: fliers on the library bulletin board, collaboration with nearby university clubs, maybe having a booth at upcoming events this summer. There are Buddhist groups in nearby cities. Maybe I should reach out to them to see if they have members who live where I live? There is actually a local ethnic temple in my city. But they have not responded to my emails. And they do not maintain an English online presence. Has anyone else had success creating a pure lay group, from the ground up?
After many years of lurking, so to speak, I appreciate how valuable the social element of the practice is.
âŠ
âSir, I bring together such a large congregation by using the four ways of being inclusive as taught by the Buddha.
When I know that a person can be included by a gift, I include them by giving a gift.
When I know that a person can be included by kindly words, I include them by kindly words.
When I know that a person can be included by taking care of them, I include them by caring for them.
When I know that a person can be included by equality, I include them by treating them equally.
But also, worthy sir, my family is wealthy. They wouldnât think that a poor person was worth listening to in the same way.â
âGood, good, Hatthaka! This is the right way to bring together a large congregation. Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who have brought together a large congregation have done so by using these four ways of being inclusive.â
But the key here is being wealthy. Then one can easily become famous and have large groups of friends. Many example nowadays.
How to become wealthy⊠There is Sutta for that too.
Your intent in setting up a group is wonderful. Your caution is wise.
Ideally the leader setting up a group has long experience in groups, some leader training and a good and accessible teacher.
Aiming for it to be friendly is very perceptive. From what Ive seen, a key motivator for people to join a dhamma group, that meets in person rather than online, is wanting social interaction in general and spiritual friendship in particular.
Scheduling a break in the middle of a meeting for a cuppa and healthy snack in a way that creates informal mingling can work well.
The suttas alone are often a tough entry point. A book with pithy sutta quotes and good commentary might aid informed discussion.
Lots of people are curious about meditation. Offering meditation is not a trivial matter. Some groups use recorded guided meditations with visits from local teachers. Could that help?
Be aware that open groups can attract all sorts with projections both good and bad directed at the leader.
I hope your good intentions bear good fruit for you and your community.
I agree with you. I want to be careful in not overstepping boundaries. I am in no way qualified to teach or lead. I hope it is an appropriately modest aim to serve merely as the facilitator, and to point the way to the people who are qualified.
You make a good point. Maybe I should scratch the group meditation element. Thatâs something people can do on their own, at their own pace, and with using online resources as their guide. Meditating with a bunch of strangers could be intimidating. And the value add of gathering together is the social element. I like the idea to use non-sutta texts as a more beginner friendly entry point. I know of Noble Strategies and The Buddhaâs Teachings by Thanissaro. Are there any other good, gentle, simple, Theravada friendly works? Maybe the Thai forest teachers have good intro books.
The format could be:
ice breaker/get to know you/casual conversation
introduce the topic for the gathering.
watch a short Dhamma talk or read a selection of a text about the topic.
have a discussion period.
have some pre-thought out questions to guide the conversation.
maybe a short chant, like just saying âmay all beings be well, happy, and safeâ or Dhp 183.
conclude with food!
I am just thinking back to my days in the philosophy club, how we structured it
Thank you for the well wishes. So far the group is me and my fishes
Hi fishguy,
it seems like you have already put a lot of thought into it.
I have two remarks that are hopefully helpful:
I think itâs a good idea to set a focus - if I understand you correctly that is now a text study group. Iâm saying this because if you âadvertiseâ it as a meditation group, it could attract people that have some vague idea about Buddhism but who donât want to actually read suttas or texts. This leads to my second remark:
Are you planning on asking people about their previous knowledge? In my experience peopleâs familiarity with texts and ideas differ greatly in such groups. This can present some challenges for the moderator/presenter as they will eventually turn to you to âclarifyâ what xyz means.
And Iâm fully backing Snowbirds recommendation: Serve cookies (or better: have people bring healthy snacks)
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Hi Alexandra, excuse me again. Itâs no problem if someone answers me in English, because I can also translate with the online translator. Thank you and best regards.
Hello, Iâm making an assumption here, As formally part of a philosophy Club Perhaps yourself and some of your Fellow club members enjoyed Intellectual Pursuits.
Thanissaro Bhikku, Ajahn Geoff Mentioned that one of his teachers said that there are two types of minds. Minds which tend towards- Concentration leading to discernment. And minds which tend towards Discernment leading to concentration. I hope to find the Talk where this was mentioned And to verify Ajahns terminology.
My understanding of what Ajahn Geoff said Is that the Minds Which have been conditioned to Think about or discern are more suited to gaining concentration Through discernment.
Finally I get to my point; If you are looking at a demographic of University students, And your strength is in Intellectual Pursuits And it is possible that discernment can lead to concentration or Stillness An appeal of sorts could be made to the demographic of University students That the Buddhaâs teachings in this way May be relevant, Especially in terms of gaining Stillness of mind, Which could be In their quest To acquire knowledge, Be quite Advantageous. It would Surely be a blessing If some University students could utilize this Stillness of mind in order to develop their own good Kamma.
I would much appreciate any feedback about this Reflection, If it is of any use to. Best wishes in your Endeavor.
I could only find the link to the talk which you shared the link to, this somewhat says something like what i understood. Thanissaro Bhikku talks of Ajahn Lee in this video however in the one i will continue to look for he talks of another teacher Ajahn fung (wrong spelling).
I will keep looking.
You have some well considered and insightful plans. Given you are clear with boundaries, I think it would actually be skillful to include guided meditations via an Ajahn recordings.
Without meditation dhamma study easily gets mired in discursive proliferation. Also being supported to meditate may attract and hold a dedicated subgroup.
You mentioned Thanissaro Bhikkuâs study guides. You could also use his guided meditation recordings and dhamma talks. You could even email out the links for the program before the meeting. That will help members to do home practice and homework. It also will also help filter out anyone with objections to the program.
With the meditation just keep it less than 20mins for minimizing any risks. Keep half an eye open to check the members are doing OK and everyones safe. Also let everyone know the doors always open if they need to leave or step out.
You may want to get some legal advice regards your liability, just in case. I donât know where you are but some places have a certain reputation for litigation.
It would be really good if you can be mentored by a bhikku/teacher/senior student.
Wishing you an illuminating and joyful journey with much benefit for yourself and many.
May all hear the dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle and good in the end.
I would strongly urge against leading any group meditation, unless one has previously worked with other people, learning from others on how to lead such events, and having psychological equipment to deal with issues.
For example, Iâve been meditating alone for some twenty years now. I would not feel comfortable leading any sort of meditation group. Having any sort of extended meditation experience (which is a bare requirement) dose not directly translate to being a good leader and guide for others. Thatâs another skillset, and suttas make clear distinctions on whoâs equipped to teach such things.
Imagine and prepare for the worst case scenario, because if any sort of undertaking is successful (that is, group getting popular and lasting for a while), there will be complications eventually. Some people will have psychotic breakdowns, some people will feel extremely agitated and ecstatic, some people will sink into depression. These things will happen, given enough time and demographics. Unless one knows for certain how to deal with these situations comfortably, one should not undertake any such positions.
If one is organizing the event, absent of a figure such as a monastic you invite to the group, or a psychologist with meditation training, people will assume youâre the leader, and you will have the responsibility. You wonât be able to just link them talks of monastics or YouTube self-help videos, they will need personal attendance and they will be lacking in such an area.
Now, perhaps you could find a moanstic or a psychologist with proper training, and after your group meets a few times, you can invite them to lead meditation sessions.
I know this post has been a little wordy, but I just want to drive home that any unprepared meditation groups are an invitation to disaster. Do not take people into woods unless you know the woods like the back of your hand, and are equipped to guide people safely.
Never underestimate the power of a few people meeting together, having some tea, idly discussing suttas in person (as opposed to verbose and intellectual debates of online forums), because for the most part, weâre just looking to feel connected with virtuous people who care about the things we care. That sort of a meetup doesnât really need a formal meditation session, anything beyond perhaps 1-5 minutes of peace just to calm the bodies down and set the peaceful mood.
Even this topic could be a good introduction point, a formal ice breaker, discussing meditation safety with members and so on.
Point well taken. Thank you for the advice! I will leave the group meditation to the Ajahns.
I will take care to make a big disclaimer up-front, to anyone who is interested, this is a peer-to-peer study group. Something analogous to, say, a college-level Christian Bible study group. I will make it clear I am the facilitator only, not a teacher.
I do not have the experience, training, or desire to help people with deep psychological issues or trauma. This group will not be for people who need that level of care.
I think I will advertise it as a âBuddhist Book Club,â or a âSutta Study Group.â I think this is where I am most passionate at the moment. And that is where the Buddhaâs voice shines through the best.
Well said. I too earlier in the thread started by recommending caution and pointing out the pitfalls. However in the specific context of this thread Fishguy has clarified he is not interested in leading a group or teaching meditation or dhamma. Hes inspired to facilitate a group. Thats a significant difference.
Deferring dhamma teaching and guided meditation to a skilled senior Ajahn via online suttas, written commentary and audio resources is an important safeguard.
The quality of dhamma and meditation teaching in this model is arguably magnitudes superior to many meditation groups.
Thats a wise warning but its not necessarily always so. Its preventable by carefully setting up the structure in advance and then clearly holding boundaries. Fishtail has displayed the foresight and acumen to navigate those issues.
Not always so. Research suggest its rare with appropriate structure.
It is of course possible with unskillful dynamics. Ive seen and heard of some bizarre issues. I hope you havent been exposed . Take care out there my friend. Its a âspiritualâ jungle.
âWillâ? You mean definitely? Are you sure?
Wheres the evidence for such an absolute claim in the context of a weekly group with a brief guided mediation from a senior Ajahn embedded in skillful dhamma teachings from the Ajahn?
That approach is arguably protective against adverse events in at least five ways. That makes it predictably much safer than most residential meditation retreats blessed with hands on teachers.
Well said. Thanks for contributing so generously to this important topic that can have tangible outcomes.
Enthusiasm is great. Just watch the timing. There is just one launch. Better to take time and get a clean launch. Do you have local teachers you can connect with pre-launch?
The suttas are the deep end of the dhamma pool. A sutta only group may not be popular or sustainable.
Please document your process carefully. Iif you get a good result it may well be a useful guide for others inspired to facilitate a group.
I can only offer that monks directly listening to Buddha himself suicided en masse after hearing his asubha instruction.
The tradition is full of such cautionary tales and insights. I think itâs always wise to say âBad things will happenâ rather than working under the assumption that with enough diligence and foresight, bad episodes can be completely eliminated. People have a diversity of inclinations and sometimes you might just get a completely unhinged person who wants to meditate, etc.
(or better: have people bring healthy snacks)
. Take care out there my friend. Its a âspiritualâ jungle.