Veronica Whitty from the Diocesan Interreligious Commission writes about the Visit to the Buddhist Monastery:
"The Abbot of Throssel Hole Buddhist Monastery near Carrshield, Northumberland welcomed the official diocesan visit from the Interreligious Commission on September 29th.The Abbot gave us an hour and a half of his time explaining the approach of Buddhism and comparing it with Christianity."
The monks Inside the Buddhist Monastery at Throssel Hole
Joe Quinn from Low Fell writes about the visit to Throssel Hole:
“We were received by Rev.Master Daishin Morgan, Abbot in charge of 30 male and female monks, in the ceremonial hall. We sat in a large circle while he explained Zen Buddhism to us, followed by discussion.
" `Zen` means meditation, and `zazen` the exercise in which we sit and learn to control the body and mind. One sits still in the present moment with an alert and accepting mind, allowing thoughts and feelings to arise and pass away. This practice of self awareness leads gradually to self knowledge of our true nature and real being. The insights of the Buddha are applied to our own self and the notion of our Buddha self emerges. Buddha possesses the same spiritual potential that is in us all. All beings have the Buddha nature. It is out of ignorance that we create suffering, thereby obscuring our true nature. Profound transformation and peace become possible as we grow to know things as they are. Compassion is at the heart of the process, both for oneself and all beings.
"In the practice of Buddhism, there are three important elements: the Buddha, the source of teaching; the Dharma, the spiritual teachings and texts; and the Sangha, the community, who live out the teachings.
"The inter-faith discussion ranged over practices, prayer and God, and the similarities between Christian and Buddhist contemplation, an area which the Abbot had found particularly insightful. The afternoon ended with silent meditation and we prayed for Buddhist monks who were demonstrating peacefully in Burma against a cruel and undemocratic state. This part of the session was very powerful. The Abbot had been gentle and generous, and we all came away feeling informed and enriched.”
The Abbot of Throssel Hole Buddhist Monastery welcomes the official diocesan visit by the Interreligious Commission
Inside the Monastery
Thanks to Sr.Sylvia Swift for the above photos