Sangha

Sunday Musings on Saturday Buddhist Class

1: Sangha

It’s a Saturday in September, and it’s my first day at the Colchester Buddhist Centre. A little while ago I signed up for a short (6 Saturday) course on Buddhism and Meditation there. I have many reasons to do so, not least to get me out of my rented double room and to interact with real people (as opposed to those wraiths on Youtube or Zoom).

The time has come, or so I reckon, to enquire beyond reading Ram Dass and Alan Watts, and go back to basics, to actively involve myself with Western Buddhist teaching and understand a little more about its practice. Some while ago (in Selangor, Malaysia), I had attended monthly meetings with a circle of Chinese Malaysians seeking to practise Buddhism. It was helpful, but I couldn’t help thinking that the meetings echoed those of Christian practise, replete with singing to guitar or piano accompaniment which seemed very much like hymns, not to mention the bowing before an idol of Buddha which again felt like the genuflection to the crucified Catholic Christ. That wasn’t for me, but today is different.

I’ve just walked a mile to the Centre, and arrived early. Early enough to sit at a bus stop outside the Centre gathering my thoughts. It’s due to be the first time that I’m interacting in a group setting since June this year, when my Cambodian teaching days ended. It's now September, and I confess to a little anxiety about interacting in a group. Although I’ve paid for the course I could, of course, simply not turn up. But then that would defeat one of my objectives, and that is to re-integrate myself back into local society after a 17 year absence. I gird my loins and go, my curiosity finally outweighing my reticence. 

I stand outside that renovated building looking in and letting others in before me. It’s a gentlemanly, yet also tentative, act. Inside, there are lots of welcoming smiles, but not those unsettling “oh my god this is a cult, get me outta here” type smiles, but actually welcoming “I’m so glad that you could make it” smiles instead. The type of smiles which succeed in making you, or at least me, feel welcome.

The building, which had served as a warehouse in Portland Road, had been bought from Colchester Borough Council and renovated to suit its current purpose. The moment that I walk in I’m made to feel at ease, comfortable, and welcomed both by the people (ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Sangha) and (strangely enough) by the building. There is a very therapeutic feel to the whole environment.

Two classes have gathered in that entry hall. There are rows of chairs and sofas which quickly fill with newbies and old hands as ten thirty approaches. I sit near the back simply because that is where I am and, I guess, to feel less self-conscious. The Centre’s ‘staff’ (experienced Buddhists) generally wear a white ribbon around their necks and a name badge to be recognised although, I learn, some don’t. It’s quite a relaxed atmosphere here.

The usual welcome chit chat explains the Centre, introduces the ‘staff’ and gives a general introduction as to why we are there, and what we will do. After cups of tea, for we are mostly British here, and tea is obligatory, followed by a quick Q & A then the group divides and our class remains as the Saturday meditation group disappears up the blonde wooden staircase. Those of us who remain are the newcomers and attendant ‘Staff’. There is the briefest explanation of Buddhism, as well as a short history of Buddhism in Colchester, then we’re led upstairs to the main altar room, bypassing the kitchen on the way. The more I see of the building the more I like it. The copious amounts of wood aid in the relaxing feel, entirely conducive to the building’s purpose. There is no weight, no heaviness and it’s as if the whole decor was designed with counselling and care in mind. There is no heaviness of religion, although the Buddha is present and represented by small practically unobtrusive (and entirely tasteful) figures and figurines. 

We, the new course attendees (of all shapes, sizes and with varying abilities) are invited to sit before a stately statue (Rupa) of Buddha, in the main altar room. I opt for a chair. Others, who evidently are more agile, sit on cushions on the floor. Sadly my mistreated old body is no longer supple enough for that. After being asked if we have any objection to incense being burnt, we are led through a forty minute session of meditation after a mindful ‘body scan’(relaxation session). Honestly, it’s the longest that I’ve been able to meditate so far.

We decamp, don shoes, chat and leave with promises of our return the following week. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to going back there.