Regular Events
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Most Fridays – Sutta Discussion Group
with Ven Canda, 18:45 – 20:00pm UK time
Next sessions:
Jan 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (no session on 31st Jan due to Bhante Sujato's talk at Oxford Buddha Vihara)
Feb 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
March 14th, 21st, 28th (no session on 7th March due to Ven Canda's Finland retreat)
April tbc...
Whether you are a beginner to sutta study, or well acquainted with the Buddha's teachings found in the Early Buddhist texts (EBT's), this ongoing sutta discussion group provides a unique opportunity to explore the profound and timeless wisdom of the Buddha, together with Ven Canda (and occasional monastic guests).
Whilst Ven Canda will offer reflections on some of her favourite teachings, informed by her decades of sutta study and meditation practice, the main aim is to provide you an opportunity to discuss ways in which the teachings might apply to your contemporary lives, in order to inspire, guide and deepen your own practice.
In the Buddha's day, bhikkhunis, bhikkhus, lay men and lay women became enlightened after hearing just one sutta! So, you are welcome to drop in as you choose. Regular attendance will give you a deeper appreciation of the Buddha's teachings as a whole, that may transform your lives for the better!
JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Saturdays (at least twice monthly) – Guided Metta Meditation
with Ven Canda, 9:00 – 10:00am UK time
Next sessions:
Jan 11th, 25th
Feb 8th, 22nd
March 1st, 15th, 22nd
Start the weekend resourced by cultivating a soft and spacious heart, through the powerful practice of loving kindness. Regular practice helps undermine the sticky hindrance of ill will that can manifest in numerous ways - such as fault-finding, fear, depression or lethargy - and that zaps our vitality and joy. As we grow in loving kindness, our relationships with ourselves and others improve, our happiness increases and deep meditation becomes easier. What's not to love?!
JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Tuesday & Thursday Silent Sitting Group
Every Tuesday and Thursday 19:15 - 20:00 UK Time via Zoom - peer hosted by Matthias.
"Since December 2021 we have had a regular group of about 20 people coming to meditate in silence together, and people have said that they find it very supportive in developing and strengthening a regular practice. It never fails to amaze me how strongly connected we can be from afar, without even uttering a word - especially when we unite in wholesome (non) action!" ~ Ven Canda
Please be aware that this is NOT a guided meditation session but is intended for those who are looking for a virtual community with whom to sit silently in meditation together.
Please join early so Matthias can let you in before he starts meditating!
JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Pali Chanting & Blessings Group ~ Karaniya Metta Sutta
Wednesdays 17:30 - 18:00 UK Time
*Every week (except 22nd Jan & 5th Feb).
Join us to chant or just listen to the Karaniya Metta Sutta in Pali, the closest language to that which the Buddha spoke. Every week we offer an opportunity for you to dedicate loving kindness, compassion, and blessings to those who may be in need of support – be they family, friends or those suffering through war and famine. Ven Canda will usually be available and on the rare occasion she is not, a senior Anukampa volunteer will lead the chanting.
JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
Special Events
Bhante Sujato's Dhamma Talks & Retreats
~ 22nd Jan - 5th Feb 2025 ~
We are excited to announce that Bhante Sujato will be visiting the UK late Jan - Feb, 2025. Hosted partly by Ven Canda on behalf of Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project, this visit offers a unique opportunity to experience his teachings firsthand.
Known for his insightful understanding of early Buddhist scriptures and innovative teaching style, Bhante Sujato's sessions promise to be thought and insight provoking. His ability to distill complex teachings into clear and relatable insights will help us forge a closer connection with the Buddha's path, emptying our hearts and shaping our daily lives.
The programme begins with a Dhamma talk on Wednesday night, 22nd January at London Buddhist Society. On the 26th, there will be a day retreat in Brighton, and a Dhamma talk at the Oxford Buddhist Vihara on the 31st. The following day, Saturday, February 1st, features a day-long retreat at the Friends Meeting House in Oxford. This retreat offers an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in Dhamma practice amidst the peaceful surroundings of the meeting house's charming gardens. On the next day, a select few will have the chance to join a more intimate half-day retreat at Anukampa Grove. Bhante Sujato will conclude his visit with a Dhamma talk on February 5th at Kagyu Samye Dzong London.
About Bhante Sujato
Bhante Sujato is a senior Buddhist monk from Australia. Before he was ordained, he was a member of the Australian rock band, Martha’s Vineyard. In 1994 he left his music career to ordain in Thailand in the forest lineage of Ajahn Chah. As well as living for several years in forest monasteries and remote hermitages in Thailand, he spent three years in Bodhinyana Monastery (Perth) as secretary of Ajahn Brahm and a year in a cave in Malaysia.
Bhante Sujato combined his love of meditation with study of the Buddha’s Teachings, from practical, comparative and historical perspectives. In 2001 published his first book, “A Swift Pair of Messengers”, which shows how tranquillity and insight work together. He also served as founding Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery from 2003-2012.
In 2005, Bhante Sujato co-founded SuttaCentral, an online digital library of early Buddhist texts that includes sutta translations from the Pali, Chinese and Tibetan languages. Since 2012, Bhante Sujato has focused on translation of the Pali suttas into English. These translations are freely available at SuttaCentral.
Bhante Sujato currently lives at Lokanta Vihara, the “Monastery at the End of the World”. The Vihara is located on the lands of the traditional owners, the Burramattagal people of the Darug nation, in Harris Park, Sydney.
Wednesday, 22nd Jan 2025, 18:30 – 20:30
Dhamma Talk by Bhante Sujato
"Chaos & Metta"
Free public talk held at The Buddhist Society and online.
This event is organised by London Buddhist Society. If you have queries regarding this particular event, please contact London Buddhist Society direct.
Sunday, 26th Jan 2025, 10:00 – 16:30
Day Retreat With Bhante Sujato:
“Chaos and Metta”
Day retreat organised by Bodhi Tree Brighton, in Brighton.
Amid the chaos of the world, it can be difficult to find peace and tranquility. However, it is precisely in these moments that Metta, or loving-kindness, can be most beneficial. As we delve into the concept of chaos, we recognize that the external world is ever-changing and unpredictable. By cultivating loving-kindness towards ourselves and others, we can learn to navigate the chaos with greater ease and grace.
Together, we will explore the impermanence of life and the nature of suffering, gaining insights that empower us to respond to chaos with compassion and clarity. The practice of Metta becomes a guiding force, transforming the way we relate to ourselves and others. This practice invites us to embrace the chaos of life as a catalyst for spiritual growth, discovering the boundless power of Metta to bring harmony and well-being to our hearts and the world around us.
This retreat is organised by Bodhi Tree Brighton. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Bodhi Tree Brighton direct.
Friday, 31st Jan 2025, 19:00 – 20:30
Dhamma Talk by Bhante Sujato:
"The Eye of The Storm"
Dhamma Talk at Oxford Buddha Vihara, 356-358 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4TQ.
The world, it seems, is mad and chaotic. What if this were not a distraction but the essential condition for the stillness that sees?
This talk is donation based and there is no need to register- please just show up!
Saturday, 1st Feb 2025, 10:00 – 17:00
Day Retreat With Bhante Sujato:
“The Oddly Conditioned Nature Of Unconditional Love”
Day retreat at Friends Meeting House, Oxford Quakers, Oxford.
Love is like a butterfly, so pretty yet so fleeting. Or so they say. But what if love was less like a butterfly and more like an ocean? What if it was everywhere all the time and we just forgot to notice it?
Join Bhante Sujato on this contemplative day retreat as he dives into the enigmatic nature of unconditional love. Explore how our perceptions condition love, and how we can shape them to bring a lasting transformation in our lives and for those around us. Through meditation, reflection, and Q&A discover the currents that connect us all-the tides of compassion, kindness and boundless care.
Sunday, 2nd Feb 2025 14:30 – 18:00
Anukampa Grove Afternoon Retreat with Bhante Sujato & Ven Canda
(15 people)
Join us at our beautiful new monastery for a relaxed day of meditation, discussion and tea with Dhamma friends!
We would like to invite you to practice with us in the tranquil Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, which is just 5 miles from Oxford, on Sunday, 2nd Feb from 14:30 until 18:00pm. Please arrive and settle in quietly at 14:00, so we can start with some Dhamma teaching at 14:30.
Numbers are limited to fifteen, so please book early to express your interest. We will reply by end December/January, once we have gauged numbers, and send you complete information at that time, including our precise location, what to bring, etc.
We are really excited to see you here and super-charge the atmosphere with meditation energy!
Wednesday, 5th Feb 2025, 19:00 – 20:45
Dhamma Talk by Bhante Sujato:
"Finding Inner Refuge in Turbulent Times"
(was 'The Buddha's Advice on Gambling Your Life')
Dhamma Talk at Kagyu Samye Dzong, Bermondsey, London.
In this ocean of doubt, the Buddha offers us a way to solid ground. Just as an unbiased die yields results regardless of its sides, the Buddha’s teachings provide a pragmatic approach to life.
In this enlightening Dhamma talk, Bhante Sujato will explore how the Buddha’s teachings provide a safe and sure bet for making wise and reliable decisions amidst life’s uncertainties. Drawing on the Buddha’s profound wisdom, Bhante Sujato will discuss how to steer clear of speculative and uncertain actions-choices that may seem tempting but often lead to greater instability and unease.
Saturday, 15th Feb 2025, 09:00 – 10:00 UK Time
Ajahn Brahm Joins Us Online!
Ajahn Brahm has kindly agreed to host a Dhamma session for everyone involved with Anukampa, between his teaching trips overseas : -)
Join us to meditate, hear some inspiring words about Dhamma practice and talk about Anukampa's latest projects and ways to be involved. There will be space to ask questions to both Ajahn and Ven Canda and forward any ideas you may have for continuing to build this beautiful community.
There will also be chance to participate a fun auction with some signed items that Ven Canda has brought back from Australia, including a T-shirt and bag, books, bookmarks and paintings.
Attendance is by registration and although there is no cost for the session, we invite your kind donations to help support the ongoing running costs of Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, the Sangha's requisite needs and future projects.
N.B. As space is limited to 100, please cancel your place if you are no longer able to attend, using the cancel button at the bottom of your confirmation email, so that someone else may join instead.
Fri 7th - Sun 9th March 2025
Kindfulness - A Metta Retreat in Finland
with Ven Canda
in Kruusila, Finland
Mindfulness alone is not enough. But what about Kindfulness?
On this weekend retreat Venerable Canda will explore one of the fundamental themes in Buddhism: loving kindness or loving friendliness (mettā in Pāli).
All of the teachings will be given in English. The schedule is flexible and everything on the retreat is voluntary. All participants can listen to their own needs, while we do offer a general schedule to follow.
On the retreat we will try to uphold silent atmosphere and it is recommended to keep the eight Buddhist precepts during the weekend.
This retreat is organised by Dhamma ry ~ Dhamma Society of Finland. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Dhamma Society of Finland directly.
Saturday, 15th March 2025, 14:30 – 18:00
Anukampa Grove Afternoon Retreat
with Ven Canda
(15 people only)
Join us for a quiet afternoon of meditation to build up a good practice atmosphere in the tranquil surrounds of Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, 5 miles from Oxford, from 14:30 until 18:00pm. Please arrive and settle in quietly at 14:00, so we can start with some Dhamma teaching at 14:30.
The afternoon will include time for sitting and walking meditation, Dhamma reflections, some group discussion and (of course) tea : -)
Saturday, 29th Mar 2025, 10:00 – 17:00
Day Retreat With Ven Canda, for London Insight Meditation:
“Liberating Perspectives on Death & Dying”
In-person retreat in London.
Perhaps you are caring for someone who is dying, have lost a loved one or have received a diagnosis you are grappling with? Or perhaps you are healthy and imagine that death is far away – and that is the way you’d like it to stay!
The Buddha recommended meditation on death for everyone, as a way of bringing a sense of immediacy to practice. Although it may initially sound unappealing, by gently turning toward the universal reality of death, we can learn tools for living a life full of gratitude and love.
This retreat will invite us to contemplate and discuss the universal experience of death and dying, taking inspiration from Buddhist teachings as well as modern scientific research on near-death experiences, to help us find greater acceptance, wisdom and peace.
The retreat is suitable for everyone and will include Dhamma reflections, guided meditations and an opportunity for sharing questions and responses.
This retreat is organised by London Insight Meditation. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact London Insight Meditation directly.
Saturday, 12th Apr 2025, 10:00 – 17:00
A day of practice with Ven Canda,
for Oxford Insight Meditation:
"Abandon Hope; Cultivate Joy!"
At Littlemore Village Hall, Oxford (and online)
The day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, meditation instructions, dharma reflections and some time for questions. There will be a lunch break of about 1 hour. The day will mainly be in silence.
The retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those with experience of meditation practice. We ask that you commit to staying for the full day.
This event is organised by Oxford Insight Meditation. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Oxford Insight direct.
July 2025
A Rare Month-Long Silent Retreat in the US led by Sayadaw U Jagara and Ven Canda
"Wise Perspectives, Loving Attitudes"
in Barre, Massachusetts
Registration is now open at Insight Meditation Society, Forest Refuge!
Sayadaw U Jagara is Ven Canda’s long-term friend and mentor and he has invited her to assist him in teaching his annual month-long retreat at the Forest Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts. Ordained in 1979, and having lived and practiced in Sri Lanka and Burma for decades, Sayadaw has a rich understanding and practice of Buddhist teachings ~ he is a gem of wisdom in these modern times.
To understand and live life fully, wise perspectives are key. Equally important are our attitudes, which can be shaped to allow for more integration and creativity in practice. Skilful attitudes, intentions and ways of relating to life include care, respect and patience; qualities that define a benevolent mind capable of bringing profound benefit to all.
This powerful combination of wise perspective and loving attitude is the foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path - there framed as samma ditthi and samma sankappa. Through strengthening these factors we empower our meditation and the bodhipakkhiya dhammas (wings of awakening) naturally come to fulfilment.
Emphasising wisdom and loving kindness, this retreat intends to touch on all aspects of the path, to help bring about a paradigm shift in the way we position ourselves to life.
This retreat is organised by Insight Meditation Society, Forest Refuge. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact IMS Forest Refuge directly.
