Mahamevnawa BC.
ABOUT MAHAMEVNAWA BUDDHA MEDITATION SOCIETY BC
The Mahamevnawa Buddha Meditation Society BC is a place for people to learn and practice the teachings of the Buddha as preserved faithfully in the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. The lay community is led by fully ordained monks (bhikkhus). We offer a variety of regular activities such as Dhamma Talks (sermons), Day long meditation retreats (Uposatha observance), and children's and teens classes. We actively serve the community all across the greater Vancouver area, from Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminister, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Abbotsford and Surrey. If you have any questions, send us an email at mahamevnawabc@gmail.com
What to Expect
You've never been to a meditation centre or monastery before?
We know that it can be a little intimidating to visit a meditation centre or monastery for the first time. We do everything we can to make you feel welcome and comfortable. We hope this will help you get the greatest benefit from your time here. If you have questions about specific activities, check out the detailed descriptions on our activities page. And never hesitate to ask questions, either while you are here or before.
Dress code?
There's no dress code, although we recommend modest clothing for both men and women. Some people that come like to wear white. Some people wear jeans and a hoodie. This is Canada, after all. We ask that you remove your shoes inside unless you need them for medical reasons.
Can I sit on a chair?
We have lots of different things to sit on. We have chairs, cushions, and stools. If you have something you like to sit on, feel free to bring it with you to any of our activities.
We're Family friendly.
Young people are welcome at all of our events. Parents can decide what works best for their kids. We do have some special programs for children. If you have questions, ask.
Who are the monks? How do you greet them?
The monks are ordained and trained in the ancient Theravada Buddhist tradition. You can recognize them because they wear robes and shave their heads. You only need to know about interacting with them, so they don't shake hands or hug. Instead, you can greet them with a smile or by placing your palms together in front of your chest. They are available after any activities to answer questions about meditation or Buddhism.
Will I be pressured to join or convert?
Not at all. Our activities are free and open to curious people of all backgrounds. If you want to get more involved, there are many opportunities.
Bowing?
While you are here, you will see people bowing to the monks and the Buddha statue.
Bowing to people we respect is an ancient practice all around the world. Don't feel
any pressure to bow if you are not comfortable doing so. People bow in
different ways, so there is no need to try and "get it right."
Meditating together
Our meditation events usually begin with a bit of chanting that you are welcome to join with or listen to silently. Then, people who are keeping the five precepts will have a chance to retake them.
After that, there are instructions followed by guided meditations. Sometimes there will be periods of silent meditation. Shorter events generally have shorter meditation periods (10-25 min.), and more extended events may have longer ones.
You can sit on the floor or a chair, and you are free to change if you need to.
Expressing our faith
Some of our programs start with a chanting service. English programs will be chanted in English along with the ancient Buddhist language of Pali. We have lots of copies of the service you can read along with.
Usually, we will begin by offering flowers, candles, and sweet drinks in memory of the Buddha. Then we recite the qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. We also usually chant a short ancient scripture.
If you like, you can follow along silently. Don't feel pressured to do anything you are not comfortable with.
We're looking forward to meeting you!