How to find a teacher and practice community: Look into the various Buddhist teachings and practices so that you can find the approach that is right for you. Note that the “right” practice may not be the one you find easiest. Rather, the "right" practice addresses your suffering on a deeper level given your personality, affinities, and conditions. For example, meditation promotes concentration and mindfulness; bowing develops humility and counteracts pride; and so on. Commit yourself to a few practices that truly benefit you and stick with them.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit or other ulterior motives. Having a strong authentic lineage helps. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities. (Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)
Note: There are other meditation groups and teachers which may claim to practice the Buddhist path, but on deeper examination, whose intentions and actions may not be altruistic, or may even be negative or "cult"-like, or even seek to harm you or others! When searching for a new group/teacher, be sure to use wisdom -- in general, the places listed here come from reputable backgrounds.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit or other ulterior motives. Having a strong authentic lineage helps. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities. (Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)
Note: There are other meditation groups and teachers which may claim to practice the Buddhist path, but on deeper examination, whose intentions and actions may not be altruistic, or may even be negative or "cult"-like, or even seek to harm you or others! When searching for a new group/teacher, be sure to use wisdom -- in general, the places listed here come from reputable backgrounds.
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Free Online Resources for Buddhist Study
General / Mindfulness: The Five Mindfulness Trainings Tibetan Buddhism: New to Buddhism? Practical Overview, as well as guided meditations http://studybuddhism.com/ American Buddhist teacher with many FAQs and videos / podcasts http://thubtenchodron.org/ Podcasts by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa http://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/karmapa-selected-buddhist/id1058705097 or watch videos through his website, http://kagyuoffice.org/ Advanced Texts (many languages): http://www.dharmaebooks.org Mahayana: Sutra texts and Commentary online from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association Sutra texts and Commentary online from Chung Tai Zen Center Zen e-books from Chung Tai Chan Monastery Chan (Zen) Introduction from Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Texts (including free downloads) from BTTS: Buddhist Text Translation Society, the preeminent publisher of English Buddhist works in the US, also with titles in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, French, and Italian! http://www.shengyen.org/eng/free-book-for-download.html Theravada: Sutta texts online from Access to Insight Vipassana podcasts from Bhavana Society, Abhayagiri Monastery, and more American centers Online Radio: DharmaRadio.org |
New Year ceremony at Georgia Buddhist Vihara in Stonecrest, GA
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Learn More About Practicing Mindfulness and Buddhism
Our Online Movie Screenings!
Optional casual conversation, friend-making, and discussion follows each showing:
Previously shown:
ONE MIND: the first film inside an ancient Chinese Zen monastery
SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET - Brad Pitt stars in this Hollywood blockbuster!
WALK WITH ME - a serene look at the Western monastic community in the tradition of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh
OKJA - a thrilling coming of age tale by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-Ho
A THOUSAND MOTHERS -- a short documentary into modern girls and women at a historic nunnery in Myanmar
ALMS -- a short documentary from Commonfolk Films on Chinese Buddhist monastery food
KUNDUN -- a Hollywood movie on the Dalai Lama's childhood
Ten Questions with the Dalai Lama Documentary
The Buddha - The Story of Siddhartha (PBS Documentary)
Shown on demand! Email us with the movie you want to watch (over Zoom) and a couple times you are available!
Optional casual conversation, friend-making, and discussion follows each showing:
Previously shown:
ONE MIND: the first film inside an ancient Chinese Zen monastery
SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET - Brad Pitt stars in this Hollywood blockbuster!
WALK WITH ME - a serene look at the Western monastic community in the tradition of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh
OKJA - a thrilling coming of age tale by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-Ho
A THOUSAND MOTHERS -- a short documentary into modern girls and women at a historic nunnery in Myanmar
ALMS -- a short documentary from Commonfolk Films on Chinese Buddhist monastery food
KUNDUN -- a Hollywood movie on the Dalai Lama's childhood
Ten Questions with the Dalai Lama Documentary
The Buddha - The Story of Siddhartha (PBS Documentary)
Shown on demand! Email us with the movie you want to watch (over Zoom) and a couple times you are available!
ONE MIND
"Incredible footage. To be any closer you’d have to shave your head."
— Bill Porter (Red Pine)
Online Film Screening: ONE MIND is a cinematic meditation on life inside one of China’s most revered and austere Zen Buddhist monastic communities.
About the movie: http://www.commonfolkfilms.com/onemind
http://onemindmovie.com/
"Incredible footage. To be any closer you’d have to shave your head."
— Bill Porter (Red Pine)
Online Film Screening: ONE MIND is a cinematic meditation on life inside one of China’s most revered and austere Zen Buddhist monastic communities.
About the movie: http://www.commonfolkfilms.com/onemind
http://onemindmovie.com/
Buddhist Films and Movies
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ONE MIND: Filmed at a Chan (Zen) Buddhist Monastery in China http://www.commonfolkfilms.com/
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Walk With Me: Mindfulness Gone Mainstream in this cinematic based on the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition
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A Thousand Mothers film set in Myanmar
Not in Atlanta? Check out some other links: Zen Meditation Classes around the US |
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism