** Important Notice **
For updated status of upcoming events / programs,
always refer to the Monastery calendar.
Meditate with a Monk
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When: Every Thursday Time: 8.00 - 9.00 pm Cost: free Language: English Where: Buddha Meditation Center GTA - 11175 Kennedy Rd. Markham L6P 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) No need to register |
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This is a great opportunity to have a peaceful mind after being tired of work throughout the week! Meditation will help you overcome depression and anxiety. Through the Buddha's teachings, you will learn how to be peaceful and calm even in difficult situations in your life. You will get the chance to meditate and chant with a monk trained in the Theravada tradition. Instructions will be given. You will get a small booklet for every meditation that is practiced in the class. After this, you can practice the meditation independently. This program is suitable for all levels of experience. All are welcome. No need to register. Also, you are welcome to participate for traditional devotional service with monks and other devotees before the meditation program from 7-8 pm. |
Approximate schedule: 8.00 pm – 8.15 pm – Introduction of Meditation 8.15 pm – 8.35 pm – Guided Meditation 8.35 pm – 8.40 pm – Discussion 8.40 pm – 8.55 pm – Silent Meditation 8.55 pm – 9.00 pm – Q and A and End of Program 
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Free Day-long Buddhist Retreat
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When: Fourth Sunday of every month Time: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) No need to register |
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Join us for a day of learning and practicing the Buddha's teachings. This event includes Dhamma talks, meditation and observing Eight Precepts. No need to register. We are happy to provide participants with the lunch time-meal (11 am to 12:30 pm).It will be mostly vegetarian. If you are a strict vegetarian or have other dietary limitations, we suggest that you bring food that you are comfortable eating. If you are new to Buddhist retreats, that is not a problem. There are many volunteers to help you. You can wear anything that is comfortable. Some people like to wear white, but this is totally optional. Feel free to come as you are. We will have cushions and chairs to sit on, but if you have a cushion and a mat, please bring them along. Most of the floor is carpeted, but some areas are uncarpeted. Never been to one of our retreats before? Find out what to expect. Nervous about being in a big group? Read some tips we have for folks with social anxiety. |
Approximate schedule: 7:00 am Explanation of and taking the Eight Precepts (taking the Eight Precepts is optional but recommended) 7:15 am Buddhanussati Meditation 7:30 am Breakfast 8:00 am Dhamma Talk (Buddhist teachings) 9:30 am Guided and silent meditation 10:00 am Tea break 10:15 am Guided and silent meditation 10:45 am Chanting and meal dedication 11:00 am Lunch meal 12:30 pm Chanting 1:00 pm Dhamma Talk 2:00 p.m. Guided and silent meditation 2:45 pm Tea break 3:00 pm Silent meditation 3:30 pm Q&A and Dhamma discusion 3:50 pm closing dedication of merits 4:00 pm End |
The Buddha encouraged his disciples to follow extra training rules known as the Eight Precepts as often as they could. Also, Supreme Buddha taught to follow the five precepts every day to collect good khamma (karma).
Free Meditation Retreat
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When: Second Sunday of every month Time: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Cost: Free Language: English Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) No need to register |
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This is a great opportunity to have a calm and peaceful day after a long working week. This day long meditation retreat includes guided, silent and walking meditations. Instructions will be given with small booklets for every meditation we practice. With these booklets and with the experience of guided meditation, you will be able to practice them alone at home. This program is suitable for all levels of experience. All are welcome. If you are new to meditation retreats, please do not worry. There are many volunteers to help you. Feel free to come for all or part of the day.
You can observe Eight Precepts which will help you to improve your meditation and good Khamma (Karma) to your life. However, that is optional but recommended. There are enough cushions and chairs to sit on, but if you have a cushion and a mat, please bring them along. Most of the floor is carpeted, but some areas are uncarpeted. We are happy to provide participants with the lunch time-meal (11.15 am to 12.30 pm). It will be mostly vegetarian. If you have special dietary needs, please bring your own lunch. Lunch is provided by the generosity of our devotees. No need to register for this event. Never been to one of our retreats before? Find out what to expect. Nervous about being in a big group? Read some tips we have for folks with social anxiety. |
Approximate schedule:
8.00 am – 8.30 am –Explanation of and taking the Eight Precepts (taking the Eight Precepts is optional but recommended) 8.30 am – 9.00 am – Silent Meditation 9.00 am – 9.45 am – Dhamma talk 9.45 am - 10.00 am- Tea break 10.00 am - 10.45 am – Guided & Silent Meditation 10.45 am – 11.15 am – Chanting and meal dedication 11.15 am – 12.30 pm – Lunch meal 12.30 pm – 12.45 pm – Blessing chanting 12.45 pm – 1.30 pm – Dhamma talk 1.30 pm – 2:00 pm – Walking meditation 2.00 pm – 2:45 pm - Silent Meditation 2.45 pm - 3.00 pm - Q&A and Conclusion |
Children's Dhamma Program
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When: Every Saturday Time: 9 am to 12 noon Cost: free Language: English Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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Children from age four to seventeen are welcome to join us to learn the teachings of the Buddha found in the Theravada tradition. They will also learn simple meditations that you can do with them at home. No registration is necessary. Snacks will be provided.
Friday Sermon and Devotional Service
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When: Every Friday, Time: 7.00 - 9.00 pm Cost: Free Language: English Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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This event has two parts. From 7 to 8 pm, there is a traditional devotional service. From 8 to 9 pm, there is a sermon on various teachings of the Buddha. You are welcome to come to part of or all of the activities. No registration required.
We begin by making offerings to the Buddha and taking the Five Precepts. Then we do some chanting and meditation. You can download a copy of the text we chant here. We also select a chant from the Pali-English Chanting Book. (We've got plenty of copies of both for you to use while you are here.) This is a great way to make your mind peaceful, remember the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and collect good khamma (Kharma) to your life.
At about 8:00 p.m. the Dhamma Sermon begins. This event is a wonderful way to learn Buddha's teaching and become a part of the Buddhist community. You will have time to ask questions about Buddhism and to meet a monk individually after the program. All of the sermons are based on the original teachings of the Buddha, faithfully preserved by the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Families are welcome.
While you are here you can check out a book from our lending library or speak to one of the monks.
Children's Dhamma Retreat
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When: Third Sunday of every month, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm (During the Sinhala Sil program) For Whom: Children ages 8-20 Language: English Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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Children will have the chance to learn Theravadha Buddhism and Paritta chanting.
No registration is necessary. Parents are welcome to join in. If you have questions, contact us at info@meditationgta.org
Mindfulness Meditation Class
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When: Every Saturday Time: 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm Cost : free Language: English Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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This is the perfect way to learn how and why to meditate according to the teaching of the Buddha. This class includes guided and silent meditation. You will get the chance to practice all types of meditations from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, which was taught by the Buddha.The class is taught by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition. No experience is required and everyone is welcome. If you are new to meditation, please do not worry as you will get lots of guidance and help from the monks and the volunteers. Also, you will be surrounded by other new comers to the meditation.
We will cover:
- Meditation posture
- Why we meditate
- The problems that happen in our meditation and how to overcome them
- Breathing meditation
- Loving-kindness meditation
- Meditation on the nature of the body
- Meditation on nine stages of a dead body ( Navaseewathika meditation)
- Meditation on the parts of the body and the elements
- Walking meditation
- And more...
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Youth Meeting
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When: Fourth Saturday of every month Time: 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm Language: English Cost: Free Age limit: between 15 to 35 years Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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Participants will have a chance to learn many different kinds of meditations taught by the Buddha and engage in positive group discussions with fellow participants and our venerable monks. Various important Topics will be included in these discussions. We will also teach about how to gain the benefits of the Buddha's teachings into your daily life. Further, we teach the ancient sacred protective chants that can be used every day for happiness, peace and success.
You will have more time for personal interaction with the monks and get the answers for your personal issues according to the Buddha's wisdom. You will be surrounded by teenagers, youths, college and university students in your age at this program. This is also a great way to gain wholesome friends into your life.
This program is led by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition. There is no charge for this activity and no need to register.
You will have more time for personal interaction with the monks and get the answers for your personal issues according to the Buddha's wisdom. You will be surrounded by teenagers, youths, college and university students in your age at this program. This is also a great way to gain wholesome friends into your life.
This program is led by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition. There is no charge for this activity and no need to register.
Free Buddhist Chanting Class in the Theravada Tradition
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When: Third Sunday of every month Time: 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Language: English and Pali Cost: Free Where: 11175 Kennedy Road, Markham ON L6C 1P2 (1 km north of Elgin mills road) |
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An excellent opportunity to learn the Buddha's ancient sacred chanting in English and Pali
You will learn:
- Simple ways of chanting that can develop your meditation
- Proper pronunciation and rhythm
- Techniques to incorporate chanting into your spiritual practice
- Calming the mind can be used to prepare for meditation
- Memorizing the Buddha's teaching
- Connecting directly with this ancient tradition
Monastery Volunteer Cleaning Day - මාසික ශ්රමදානය
When: First Sunday of the month from 12 am to 4 pm (check calendar for changes)
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
Come and meet new Dhamma friends while taking care of our meditation centre property and collecting merit. There's something for everyone to do. Kids are welcome to join. Lunch is provided. This is a great way to get to know your asapuwa family.
You can also find this event on our meetup page
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
Come and meet new Dhamma friends while taking care of our meditation centre property and collecting merit. There's something for everyone to do. Kids are welcome to join. Lunch is provided. This is a great way to get to know your asapuwa family.
You can also find this event on our meetup page
සදහම් සූත්ර අඩ්යයනය - Sutta Study Class
When: Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Language: Sinhala
Cost: Free
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
We begin with the regular evening Buddha Puja. Around 8:00 pm the Dhamma Sermon begins. Texts are chosen from a Tripitaka Sutta translated from the Pali language into Sinhala by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera.
All teaching is done by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition.
Language: Sinhala
Cost: Free
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
We begin with the regular evening Buddha Puja. Around 8:00 pm the Dhamma Sermon begins. Texts are chosen from a Tripitaka Sutta translated from the Pali language into Sinhala by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera.
All teaching is done by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition.
උපෝසථ සීල භාවනා වැඩසටහන - Meditation & Eight Precepts Program
When: Third Sunday of every month, 6 am to 4 pm
Language: Sinhala
Cost: Free
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
"Uposatha" means to come near our spiritual friends to learn the Buddha's teachings.
Eight-precept Sil/Uposatha program. The day is spent meditating and learning the teachings of the Buddha. Breakfast and lunch dana are offered to participants. You will have the opportunity to observe the Eight Precepts.
Language: Sinhala
Cost: Free
Where: 11175 Kennedy Road,
Markham ON L6C 1P2
(1 km north of Elgin mills road)
"Uposatha" means to come near our spiritual friends to learn the Buddha's teachings.
Eight-precept Sil/Uposatha program. The day is spent meditating and learning the teachings of the Buddha. Breakfast and lunch dana are offered to participants. You will have the opportunity to observe the Eight Precepts.
