We may often feel awkward or even slightly embarrassed performing rituals of a culture different to our own, and until we learn the meaning and integrate it into our inner practice, they remain just pleasant artistic activities or slightly twee performances.

But with understanding, Buddhist ritual becomes a powerful connector to inner transformation and growth. It is a means of unifying body, speech and mind into a sum greater than its parts. It is also a method to confront our assumptions about reality, what's 'real' and what's merely make believe, and thus begin integrating the philosophical teachings on emptiness with our own lived experience.

This short course is a great introduction for beginners to combine Buddhist philosophy with daily practice. It is also a great refresher for returning students, to check they have all the ingredients for a stable and flourishing Dharma practice. Each session will have a half hour presentation illustrated with slides and demonstration, followed by a half hour question and answer.

Session 1: Why have an altar? Discover how to set up your own altar with the essential elements, and also how to customise it as a living practice, reflecting your own inner journey.

Session 2: How and why to make offerings, such as water-bowls. A simple yet profound practice that gentles the mind, and a unique way to practice generosity without needing financial resources.

Session 3: Meaning of Mandalas. Universal symbols of wholeness and transformation, found across cultures. In Buddhism this is also a way to break down our habitual ordinary (and often distorted) view of reality.

Session 4: The big one - the long mandala! A joyful and extremely satisfying practice of building up the 3-tiered rice and jewel piles that represent a perfect world, and the deep symbolic meaning underlying these activities.

About the Presenter

Miffi Maxmillion runs the spiritual program, and is an FPMT registered western teacher. She left behind a thriving haute couture and costume business in Melbourne, when her mother Inta Mckimm (who ran LTC) became sick with cancer in 1997. Packing her bags for two weeks, she is still here 19 years later! Miffi was brought up a Buddhist and had the great good fortune to play with Lama Yeshe as a child, and his hook of compassion sustained her through the many rebellious stages of growing up. She readily admits to watching far too much TV and is an avid New Yorker magazine reader.

Registration

• Individual classes by donation. Please offer what you are comfortable with. You are most welcome to come to any or all of the classes!
• Purchase a package for $60 and receive all zoom links and notes for the course in one transaction. Select a ticket, then enter promo code PACKAGE and the option will appear.
• Notes for the course are available separately for $18.