Birmingham Buddhist Vihara
Birmingham Buddhist Vihara (BBV)
We have meditation classes weekly as below:
MEDITATION CLASSES
Beginners: Thurs. 7:30pm
Advanced: Mon. 7:30pm
Zen Group : 1st and 3rd week of Friday 7pm
Thirty-two schools visited the Dhamma Talaka
Peace Pagoda for religious education during
school term last year. The visits continue to
provide students with invaluable experience to
hear about the Buddha and his teachings and to
meet Buddhist monks. This is also part of the
community work that Birmingham Buddhist
Vihara does. For a school visit please
Contact :
Dr Nagasana
Email : uk.suriya@gmail.com
Or,
Dr Max Kyi
Email : maxiekyi@gmail.com
The pagoda is an oriental style of sacred tower. In Buddhism, it is also called a stupa or caitya. The building of pagodas dates from the time of the Buddha’s passing into Nibbana, around the sixth century BCE. At that time, the Buddha’s body was cremated and only fragments of the bones remained. These sacred relics were divided among the rulers who were his devout followers. They placed them in golden chambers in their respective countries and built pagodas over them so that people could venerate and pay homage.
The pagoda symbolises peace, compassion and other exemplary qualities of the Buddha. As such, Buddhists venerate it everywhere. With the spread of Buddhism, pagodas were built in all those countries where it became established. The pagoda is the earthly manifestation of the mind of the Buddha and, as such, stands as a prime symbol of Buddhism. The Dhammatalaka Pagoda will fulfil three purposes: it will be a shrine for Buddhists to perform their traditional ceremonies; a focus where non-Buddhists can learn about Buddhism; and a sanctuary where both may find peace and tranquillity.
