Mindfulness – Uganda Buddhist Centre

Amid all our diversities, we have common aspirations—the aspiration to be happy, to be peaceful, to be free from worry, stress, anxiety, anger, and many other difficult emotions. Unfortunately, we oftentimes feel stretched, worried, anxious, stressed, and fearful and we keep running from our own shadows. We feel worried about what the future holds for us. We end up running from life at home, life at work, and think we will find a solution to our unhappiness elsewhere but it still escapes us. Practicing meditation can help you navigate through all these emotions in a calm and balanced way. Through meditation, we connect directly to a more peaceful and calm mind and let go of all the sources of our worry, conflicts and confusions. As a result, we become happier in our lives and bring the benefit of joy in other people’s lives as well.

At the Sunday August 26th retreat, participants had an opportunity to develop and improve their mindfulness skills in meditation and learned how to apply mindfulness in their daily lives with a step-by-step guide on meeting difficult emotions with mindfulness. The retreat was suitable for both beginners and those experienced in meditation.

The retreat was guided by Bhante Buddharakkhita, the Abbot and Founder of the Uganda Buddhist Centre. Bhante gave instructions on mindfulness meditation of walking, sitting and standing and then the participants had a chance to practice each one. He also gave a talk on “Meeting Difficult Emotions with Mindfulness” which was followed by a question and answer session that brought about great discussions.

At the end of the retreat, a walk to feed the hungry was also arranged and participants expressed their support and courtesies to people affected by poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

On the 15^th morning of July, children gathered at the Temple to learn and practice mindfulness meditation under the divine guidance of Most Ven. Adicca. He led the children in a sitting meditation, with emphasis on breath, to teach them to focus on the present moment.

After meditation, children chanted and paid their respect to the Triple Gem; the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. With translations by Ven. Sangharakkhita, Ven. Adicca delivered a talk on the importance of the Five Precepts and the practice of Metta (loving-kindness) meditation. Children skillfully learned to manage their stress, forgetfulness, and anxieties.

Children received their lunch and other alms munificently offered by Ms. Moe Moe, a Burmese woman living in Uganda. As a way of paying courtesies to their supporter, children chanted and offered special blessings to their guide Ven. Adicca, Moe Moe and shared their merits with everyone present. This event was also a chance for them to learn to be mindful of their actions, to be responsible and to share their merits. No one is too poor to give, and no one is too rich to receive. It was humbling to see the children share their merits and blessings.

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