Origins / Beliefs

Buddhism places an emphasis on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. There is no belief in a personal God or external saviour. It originated 2500 years ago, based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, an Indian noble who gave up his privileged lifestyle to seek spiritual enlightenment. Through the understanding of inter-connectedness, cause and effect, the religion promotes love for all living beings and respect for all forms of life, as well as charity, hospitality and self discipline. There are now many Buddhist sects but the two main schools are Mahayana, which is prevalent in China and Japan, and Theravada, prevalent in South East Asia. The Buddha is revered as the teacher of the Dharma, expressed in the Four Noble Truths; the truth of suffering (Dukkha), the truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya), the truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha), the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga).
 

Main Religious Festivals and Holidays

Buddhist religious festivals are generally based on the lunar calendars of the countries that practice Buddhism. Some dates are fixed by the Western calendar and others rely upon printed calendar dates produced in Dharamsala, India. UPOSATHA DAYS which are observed at full moon and new moon periods and also on the days half way through the lunar fortnight. PARINIRVANA (15 February) is when Far Eastern Buddhists mark the final passing away of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagar, India. BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY (8 April in Japan) is a festival is a festival of flowers. WESAK or BUDDHA DAY (May) is a festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and Parinirvana or passing away of Buddha. ASALHA (Dharmachakra Day) held in July/August, is the anniversary of Buddha’s first sermon.

Prayer

Buddhism does not require worship at a temple, however many do worship at temples and at home. Buddhist Temples or Monasteries (where Monks and Nuns are trained) usually contain a statue of the Buddha and varying levels of adornment. Many Buddhists will also have a shrine in their homes containing an incense holder surrounded by flowers and candles. The offering of incense is symbolic of devotion and candles symbolise the light that Buddha’s teaching brings to the world. Offerings of food, flowers, incense and water, together with chanting, and meditation are practised. Tibetan Buddhists offer bowls of water to represent water for bathing, washing the feet, rinsing the mouth and drinking. Zen traditions offer fruit, tea and water.

Diet

Some Buddhists are vegetarian because of the way they value life and interpret the precept of trying not to kill. However, Monks and Nuns in Thervada Buddhism are permitted to eat and accept meat if offered as alms. In some forms of Buddhism, garlic and onions are not eaten, as they are believed to heat the blood and make meditation more difficult. All Buddhists believe in mindful consumption (aware of their dependence on others for food, and eating neither too little nor too much).

Birth and Death

Samsara (sometimes referred to as the wheel of birth and death) is not a place. It is seen as a mind state, and there are many realms in to which we can be reborn, and which are dependent upon the Karma (actions and thoughts) accumulated by an individual. Buddhists believe in a state of enlightenment in which their minds are not subject to death and rebirth – a place of wisdom and great compassion (Nirvana).

History of Buddhism in Preston

Buddhism was first introduced to Preston in 1981 when visiting Tibetan Monks were invited to give talks by some members of the Preston community. These were initially held at the Quaker hall. Around the same time, some Zen groups met in people’s homes. Eventually a small terraced house in Deepdale was bought, which was later sold to buy a larger house in West Cliff ,which was named Vajravarahi. This location eventually became the home of the New Kadampa Tradition in 1991, whilst other Buddhist denominations sought different locations.

Cham Tse Ling Buddhist Group was formed in 1998 originally in the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, but later becoming non-sectarian. It was hosted at UCLan’s multi-faith centre.

The Preston Serene Reflection Meditation Group was formed in 1994. It is affiliated to The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. The Order is dedicated to the practice of the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition, known as Ts’ao-Tung Ch’an in China and Sōtō Zen in Japan. This group moved from homes, to the Quaker hall, and then spent some time at UCLan’s multi-faith centre.