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Visiting the
Buddhist community at Amoghasiddhi Centre is an
experience that students of all ages really enjoy. It
provides them
with the opportunity to see a residential Buddhist
community in action. All talks are given by a practising
Buddhist
lay or ordained person. The community is made up
of men and women at a range of different
ages from 12 - 89, both lay or ordained.
Many
schools find visitng the Centre or meeting a Buddhist
guest speaker a useful compliment to the RS curriculum,
where students can see a living Buddhist community and
understand the theories in context. We also give talks
at school assemblies. At the Centre, we can accomodate
groups of up to 30-35, from any keystage. Visits are engaging
and interactive and geared toward the relevant age groups.
There is a suggested donation of £25 per visit,
however if funds are not available this can be negotiated.
If you would like us to visit your school we can travel
anywhere thrououghout Norfolk and Suffolk.
If
you are interested in bringing your students for a visit
to Amoghasiddhi Centre or inviting a guest speaker you
can contact the Education Programme Co-ordinator (EPC),
Rachael Davies to talk about or plan your visit. You can
either do this by telephone, email or by dropping into
the Centre. This will give you the and opportunity to
ask any questions that you might have concerning your
visit. If you drop by you will be offered a tour of the
Centre.
If you decide to bring your students to the Centre
or invite us to your school you can arrange the
details with the EPC, Rachael Davies by telephone
or email, the EPC will then send you a booking form
which you can post or email back to us. Included
in this is the Risk Assessment. Teachers can plan
the visit with the EPC including topics to cover
and convenient times and dates.
A Typical visit will consist of a talk, guided breathing
meditation, questions and answers, drawing (for younger
children) and refreshments.
A Talk by a Buddhist monk or nun, covering topics such as:
- Basic Buddhist beliefs and philosophy
- What it means to be a Buddhist or a monk/nun
- What the robes symbolise, how we use the prayer beads
- An explanation of the shrine and eight foot statue of Buddha
that we have in our meditation rooms
- The differences between an ordained person and a lay person
- Buddha's life story
- The Amoghasiddhi Buddhist Community
- What is meditation and how can it be used in everyday life
The chance for students of any age to find some
peace and stillness from within. Teachers have been
surprised at how calm and quiet their students can
become!
An important part of the visit - which students gain a lot from - the chance
to ask questions and engage with the ideas presented in the talk and also from
what they have studied.
Younger children are given the opportunity to draw their favourite statue of
Buddha from what they see during their visit. This is a fun part of the
day that the young ones really enjoy.
Normally after the first session which lasts
approximately 45 minutes, students have a 30 minute
break in the lounge which inlcudes squash and biscuits
for
students and complimentary hot drinks for teachers and accompanying adults
from our World Peace Café. Students are welcome to bring a packed
lunch with them to eat. They can eat in our lounge. We request that students
bring
a vegetarian lunch if possible.
If students or teachers have any further questions that arise later on in their
studies of Buddhism we welcome you to contact us. We would be happy to answer
any questions that you might have. You may also find the site below a useful
tool.
Resource site for schools: www.dharmaforkids.com.
For further information, please contact
us.
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