important notice: cancellation of classes

Ngā mihi mahana kia koutou katoa,

We have taken the precautionary measure of cancelling all our classes for now - but we are not disappearing!

• We're hoping to set up live-stream classes as soon as possible. (We'll send out more information when we have the webcam going and the technology sorted!) This will mean that you should be able to access classes on your computer or other device in real time - or at another time if that is more convenient.
• Drop-in classes and pujas such as Heart jewel and Prayers for World peace are cancelled for now.
• Students following the foundation study programme will be able to access these classes via the study link (audio only), until live-streaming is set up.

We know that this is a really stressful time for many people, particularly for those who have family and friends who may be especially vulnerable to the virus; and we are all probably aware of people in our community who may be very anxious and scared.  This seems like a really important time to draw on the peace, kindness and compassion that we hold at our heart's centre, and we hope that meditation and some of Buddha's advice that we have covered in class will be of real practical use for you in these extraordinarily challenging times.

Please take care of yourselves in every way: so that you can also be of most benefit to others. (And how good is it to be living in a country in which the first piece of advice on the official govt covid19 page is: Be Kind !)

Noho ora mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa.

When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides, and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso - The New Meditation Handbook.

Our programmes are open to everyone - newcomers and experienced meditators, young, old, working, retired, individuals and families. We welcome people from all faiths and those who do not subscribe to any faith. You do not have to be a Buddhist to take part in our programme and to benefit from it.

The Amitabha Centre was established in Palmerston North by Gen Kelsang Demo in 2004, and over the next 15 years, until her death in late 2019, she worked hard establishing classes in a number of centres across the central north island, and in a variety of community settings (e.g: prisons, tertiary education centres, health service providers, the council and so on). Her mission was to make dharma accessible and meaningful to as many people as possible.

She was unfailingly kind, patient and non-judgemental; her teachings were clear and inclusive; and she always encouraged her students to ask questions and make dharma relevant to the difficulties that each of us face in negotiating our way through this very complex, busy and often difficult modern world.

Perhaps one of her greatest strengths as a teacher, was her own demonstrated commitment to putting dharma into practice and using it to help her maintain a peaceful mind and generous heart, as well as meet challenges and difficulties with patience and inner strength: she really did ‘walk the talk’ – and helped many of us start to walk this path too.

Thank you Gen Demo - we hold you in a special place in our hearts and remember you with love. We were so very fortunate to have spent time with you.