Meditation & Dhamma Class: "Kamma" (Feb 2024 run)

“In the book “Who Is My Self” by Ayya Khema, three conditions were listed for the practice of meditation to bear fruit: Firstly, to know our own dukkha, to recognise where it comes from, and how it operates in our lives; the second is to gain confidence in the Buddha’s teaching and to realize that we can take this path; and the third is to experience joy at the opportunity we have been given.”

About this program

Are you interested in practicing Buddhism and are you new to it? Or are you looking to strengthen your understanding and practice?

The Meditation and Dhamma class is a recurring programme at the Buddhist Library and is one of its most popular programmes in recent years. Each run of the class comprises ten sessions, and during each session the class mentors will lead meditation sessions as well as run through specific teachings of the Buddha. Time is also allocated for Q&A.

For 2024, the course mentors will be revising the topics of kamma and rebirth. They will cover kamma during this course run, and rebirth in the next (which will probably run from Aug to Oct 2024).

It is never too late to start learning.

Who is this program for?

• Beginners who have no knowledge of Buddhism but have a keenness to learn

• Those who have been attending previous runs of the class

What are the sessions like?

We will begin the class by paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma & Saṅgha, followed by a guided meditation session. Dhamma Bites will be next, with Q&A after that and then a second guided meditation session. The class will end with the sharing of merit.

For those new to Buddhism and new to meditation

The class mentors will give an overview of the BuddhaDhamma (what the Buddha taught) at the start of the class on 24 Feb 2024. For those new to meditation: the course mentors have arranged to teach you in a separate classroom in the Library for the first 30-40min of the first 2 to 3 sessions (24 Feb - 9 Mar).

What are the topics?

Explore the definition of kamma, as well as the origin, result, diversity and the cessation of kamma - 24 Feb to 23 Mar (5 sessions)

1. What is kamma? How does kamma take place?
2. What are the different types of kamma?
3. Does everything operate according to the Law of Kamma?
4. When do we experience the results of kamma? And how does kamma bear fruit?
5. How do we achieve cessation of kamma?

Address nine frequently asked questions on kamma – 30 Mar to 4 May (5 sessions):

1. Will an action (kamma) always produce a result (vipāka) of the same magnitude and intensity?
2. Is kamma like a balance sheet? Can the wholesome kamma we earn cancel out our unwholesome kamma?
3. How is merit related to kamma?
4. Where is kamma stored?
5. Is everything in our current life a result of past kamma?
6. Is there such a thing as social or collective kamma?
7. If there is no self, who does the kamma, and who receives the result of kamma?
8. Is it possible to avoid unwholesome thoughts and emotions?
9. How does the understanding of kamma help us in our spiritual practice?

About the teachers

The Meditation and Dhamma class mentors are Sis Foo Siew Fong (bio here), Sis Foo Siew Ee (bio here), Sis Tan Sock Hoon and Bro Tan Chau Yee (bio here).

The Saturday Meditation and Dhamma class mentors aim to help fulfil the conditions described by Ayya Khema (as mentioned in the blurb at the onset). And they do it by sharing the strength and beauty of the Buddha’s teachings in a simple, clear and digestible way, practising various meditation techniques as taught by the Buddha, and providing practical applications for everyday life.

Through these weekly sessions, they hope to inspire in all participants an abiding curiosity, interest, and determination to explore the Dhamma and live life according to the Buddha’s teachings.