Regular Meditation Sessions

Panditarama Sydney Meditation Centre offers weekly meditation sessions for anyone interested in practicing mindfulness and Vipassana meditation.

Details

  • Day: Every Sunday
  • Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Panditarama Sydney Meditation Centre, Horsley Park
  • Who Can Attend: Open to all, from beginners to experienced meditators

What to Expect

  • Guided sitting and walking meditation
  • Dhamma talk by the resident monk
  • Opportunity for questions and short interviews about your practice
  • A peaceful, mindful environment to develop focus and insight

Preparation

  • Please notify the monastery in advance if you plan to attend.
  • Wear comfortable clothing suitable for sitting and walking meditation.
  • Bring any personal meditation aids if needed (cushion, blanket, etc.).

Why Attend

Regular practice is key to developing mindfulness and calmness in daily life. Even a single session can help you:

  • Reduce stress and mental agitation
  • Increase focus and clarity
  • Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your mind

meditation retreat form

Forty-Five Years of Teaching

For the next 45 years, the Buddha travelled widely across northern India, sharing his teachings with anyone eager to learn—monks, nuns, farmers, royalty, merchants, and people from all walks of life. His teachings emphasised wisdom, moral conduct, mindfulness, compassion, and the potential for every being to awaken.

He established monastic communities, guided thousands of followers, and offered practical teachings that continue to resonate today. The Buddha taught in a simple and accessible manner, focusing on understanding the mind, cultivating virtue, and realising inner peace.

The First Teaching at Deer Park

Soon after his enlightenment, the Buddha travelled to Sarnath, where he delivered his first discourse to five former companions. This teaching, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. With this, the Sangha—the community of monks—was born, marking the beginning of the spread of the Dhamma.

Birth and Early Life (563 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha, was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini, a region that is now part of Nepal. He was born into the royal Shakya clan to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. Tradition describes his birth as peaceful and auspicious. After his mother’s passing one week later, Siddhartha was lovingly raised by his aunt, Queen Mahapajapati.

Growing up in the city of Kapilavatthu, Siddhartha enjoyed a privileged and protected life. His father, wishing to shield him from the hardships and uncertainties of the world, ensured he received the finest education, martial training, and a life surrounded by comfort. At the age of sixteen, Siddhartha married Princess Yasodhara, and together they had a son named Rahula.