WELCOME
 Thank you for visiting the website of the Triratna Buddhists of Johannesburg, South Africa.
SHANTIKULA
PLEASE VISIT SHANTIKULA
UPCOMING COURSES/EVENTS
SHANTIKULA
Located in the leafy suburb of Emmarentia, Johannesburg, our Buddhism and Meditation Centre has been named Shantikula, which derives from Sanskrit, a classical Indian language thousands of years old. We translate Shantikula as Peaceful Tribe. Shanti means peace, and Kula is a Sanskrit term meaning grouping together or woven together, so its main connotation is that of an intentional community, a community of the heart, a group coming together of its own free well. It also has the connotations of brother/sisterhood, human body, house, abode, sanctuary, school, family, clan, or tribe. In the Triratna tradition a place of practice has often been named as a Loka, which means realm (for example Padmaloka - Realm of the Lotus), but we have chosen to stress more the Sangha or community aspect of our centre, and to seek a name which has a particular African resonance and vision. So that is why we translate Shantikula simply as Peaceful Tribe.
You may also notice from the photos on this page and on other pages of our website, that on our main shrine we have a large figure of the Buddha as an African man. As Triratna Buddhists we seek to follow the Buddha’s teachings in ways appropriate to how we live our lives today, and which take account of cultural, social, economic, and many other conditions which affect our lives. So it is important to us that we reflect on and work towards the arising of a genuinely African Buddhism which responds to and resonates with these conditions.
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PLEASE VISIT SHANTIKULA
Don’t just visit our website. If you live in or are visiting Johannesburg, please visit us at Shantikula, which is situated in Emmarentia very close to the dam and the Botanic Gardens.
We are open Monday evenings and Saturday mornings for regular classes. Feel free to drop in. Evening meditation starts at 19h00 and Saturday morning meditation at 08h00– beginners or experienced meditators are welcome. If you are a beginner or have not attended meditations at Shantikuls for a while and feel you need to refresh yourself in terms of the practice, then please arrive at 18h30 so that you can be given an overview of the practice. Details on classes and events are available in our programme.
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UPCOMING COURSES/EVENTS
This year sees the return of Acalaraja. He has been in the UK for the last 18 months looking after Vajradhara, one of his teachers and partner, who died on the 18th November 2011. Together with Annie, Anton and Sam, Shantikula can now offer an expanded program of events.
Wesak is a celebration of the Buddha's Enlightenment. On Sunday 6th May 2012 we will be starting at 15h00 in the afternoon and recalling this transformative event. We will look at the meaning of Enlightenment, and explore how it is actually possible for us. Meditation and study will be led till 20h00, which would be the unofficial ending of the evening, and thereafter if anyone wants to sit on in sesshin there will be the opportunity to do so. The day is structured in this manner as it is a full moon evening and we can practice starting off in the day and into the illuminated evening. Please contact Acalaraja if you want to attend this day. Do note that this day is for practitioners who have a basic knowledge of meditation, and it would not be helpful for absolute beginners.
The next Introduction to Meditation course will be starting on the 2nd May 2012. The course runs for 6 weeks on Wednesday evenings, from 19h00 to 21h00. This will be an opportunity for newcomers to meditation, or for established practitioners to learn about the meditation practices that are taught and practiced in Triratna. The 3 main practices are the Mindfulness of Breathing, Metta Bhavana or the meditation on Loving Kindness, and Just Sitting or Insight practice. These 3 meditation practices are strong fundamental practices to develop and maintain a regular and effective meditation practice. The practices will be explored and practiced as well as various aspects of our approach to them. These meditation practices have their basis in Buddhism, so there will be Dharmic or Buddhist teachings included too. If you may be interested to attend contact Acalaraja and he will be happy to deal with your enquiries. There is a limited number of spaces available as smaller classes are more accessible to better instruction and guidance, so early booking may be advised.
Thursday evenings are study nights again. The study group is led by Acalaraja. It will follow the guidelines of the Mitra study course of Triratna. This Dharma course takes you on a journey through the practice of Buddhism and Buddhist meditation as instructed by Sangharakshita and senior order members in Triratna, and it will also track the historical development of the ideas and practices of Buddhism. Participation in the classes will require some preparation such as doing short readings before the class and occasional projects. Dharma study helps to give a breadth and knowledge that is important in your practice of Buddhism. It can provide an ethical, mindful base to everyday life and assist in a more effective practice of meditation. The group meets every second Thursday at 18h30, starting on the 7th of March. Please contact Acalaraja if you are interested in joining the class.
Annie is now leading meditation classes in Cape Town on Wednesday evenings. They are held at the Yokai Yoga studio, 75 Roodebloem Road in Woodstock. Classes start at 18h45 for 19h00. Please contact Annie on 083 6633 502 for more information.
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THE FIVE POSITIVE PRECEPTS
With deeds of loving kindness, I purify my body.
With open-handed generosity, I purify my body.
With stillness, simplicity and contentment, I purify my body.
With truthful communication, I purify my speech.
With mindfulness clear and radiant, I purify my mind.
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