Time, Space, Persons and Mind - Friday 15th November

What is our place in the universe?

7.30pm - 9.00pm

We are persons, or people, who possess minds but how do we connect to or relate to time and space? Where do we fit in within the vast expanse of the universe? To understand this, we must first know a little about Buddhist cosmology. This system of viewing the universe in Buddhism is quite different from current scientific theory and contains ideas that would be difficult to accept if interpreted too literally or concretely. However, if we bear in mind the purpose of this cosmology, namely that it allows us to see the entire universe as a pure land the initial strangeness of this system will soon disappear.

Buddha taught that there are countless world systems in the universe; some are like our own while others are vastly different. Our own world system is composed of four 'continents’ arranged in the cardinal directions, and we live in the southern continent. At the centre of this world system stands a vast, four-sided mountain. This is Mount Meru.

We need an open mind and not reject this view of the universe with a large mountain and four continents simply because it does not appear that way to us. The way the world appears depends upon the mind that is viewing it, and Buddha described the world in many different ways depending upon the karma of the people he was addressing.

Optional Supper

Optional supper before the lecture £3.

Why not stay over at Tara? 
If you would like to stay overnight and attend our One day retreat the next day just let us know by emailing info@tarakmc.org - Breakfast is available and we have comfortable and clean simple or en-suite rooms for you to enjoy a peaceful night