Activity Descriptions

Monastery Volunteer Cleaning Day

When: First Sunday of the month from 10 am to 4 pm (check calendar for changes)

Come and meet new Dhamma friends while taking care of our meditation centre property and collecting merit. There's something for everyone to do. Kids are welcome to join. Lunch is provided. This is a great way to get to know your asapuwa family.
You can also find this event on our meetup page

Free Buddhist Chanting Class in the Theravada Tradition

When: Saturdays, From 8.15 pm to 9.30 pm
Language: English and Pali
Cost: Free

An excellent opportunity to learn the Buddha's ancient sacred chanting in English and Pali
You will learn:

Simple ways of chanting that can develop your meditation
Proper pronunciation and rhythm
Techniques to incorporate chanting in to your spiritual practice

Experience the benefit of chanting such as:

Calming the mind can be used to prepare for meditation
Memorizing the Buddha's teaching
Connecting directly with this ancient tradition

Beginner's Meditation Class

When: Every Saturday, 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Language: English

This is the perfect way to learn how and why to meditate in the way the Buddha taught. The class is taught by resident monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition. No experience is required and everyone is welcome. Never visited before? Find out what to expect.
We will cover:

Meditation posture
Why we meditate
The problems that happen in our meditation and how to overcome them
Breathing meditation
Loving-kindness meditation
Meditation on the nature of the body
Meditation on generosity and virtue
Meditation on the parts of the body and the elements
Walking meditation
And more...

The class is free and does not require registration.
Everyone is welcome to join with the devotional service afterwards from 7 to 8 pm.
You can find the text of our guided meditations in this handout. (PDF)

Children's Dhamma Retreat

When: Third Sunday of every month, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm (During the Sinhala Sil program)
Who: Children ages 8-20
Language: English
Children will have the chance to learn Theravadha Buddhism and Paritta chanting.
No registration is necessary. Parents are welcome to join in. If you have questions, contact us at info@meditationgta.org

Friday Sermon and Devotional Service

When: Every Friday, 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Language: English
Cost: Free

This event has two parts. From 7 to 8 pm there is a traditional devotional service. From 8 to 9 pm there is a sermon on various teachings of the Buddha. You are welcome to come to part or all of the activities. There is no charge or registration for any of our activities.
We begin by making offerings to the Buddha and taking the Five Precepts. Then we do some chanting and meditation. You can download a copy of the text we chant from here. We also chant a selection from the Pali-English Chanting Book. (We've got plenty of copies of both for you to use while you are here.)

At about 8:00 the Dhamma Sermon begins. This event is a wonderful way to become a part of the community and learn the liberating teachings of the Buddha. All of the sermons are based on the original teachings of the Buddha faithfully preserved by the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Families are welcome.

Wile you are here you can check out a book from our lending library or speak to one of the monks.

Children's Dhamma Program

When: First and Second Sunday of the month, 3 pm to 5 pm
Language: English

Children from age four to thirteen are welcome to join us to learn the teachings of the Buddha found in the Theravada tradition. They will also learn simple meditations that you can do with them at home. Parents are welcome to sit in on the class. No registration is necessary. A snack will be provided.

English Meditation Retreat

When: Second Sunday of every month, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Language: English
This is a day long meditation retreat with guided and silent meditations. Instructions will be given. Suitable for all experience levels. All are welcome.
There is no charge or need to register.
Approximate Schedule:
8.00 am – 8.30 am – Introduction
8.30 am – 9.30 am – Guided Meditation
9.30 am – 9.45 am – Tea Break
9.45 am - 10.45 am – Silent Meditation
10.45 am – 11.00 am – Buddha Puja
11.00 am – 12.30 pm – Lunch *
12.30 pm – 1.00 pm – Dhamma Talk
1.00 pm – 1:30 pm – Walking Meditation
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm – Guided & Silent Meditation
2.45 pm - 3.00 pm – Q&A and Conclusion

*Lunch will be provided
You can also find this event on our meetup page

Teen's Meditation Program

When: Second Saturday, 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Language: English

All youth ages 13 to 19 are welcome to come to this English language meditation program. We will learn and practice many different kinds of meditation taught by the Buddha. We will also talk about how to follow the Buddha's teachings in our daily lives.
This program is led by monks trained in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition.
There is no charge for this activity.

Day-Long Buddhist Retreat: Meditation and Eight Precepts Program

When: Fourth Sunday from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm
Language: English
Cost: Free

"Uposatha" means to come near our spiritual friends to learn the Buddha's teachings.
Come to this day of meditation and learning the Buddha's teachings. You will have the chance to follow the Eight Precepts . Breakfast and lunch are provided. You don't need to register.
People come from throughout the greater Toronto area. Feel free to come for all or part of the day.
By attending this program you will gain an excellent knowledge of the original teachings of the Buddha preserved by his disciples in the Theravada tradition.

Typical Schedule:
7:00 am Taking 8 Precepts and Breakfast
8:00 am Dhamma Talk
9:00 am Guided Meditation
10:00 am Tea Break
10:15 am Meditation
10:45 am Buddha Puja
11:00 am Lunch
12:30 pm Sutta Chanting
1:00 pm Dhamma Talk
2:00 pm Guided Meditation
3:00 pm Closing and Merit Sharing

The Buddha encouraged his ay disciples to follow extra training rules known as the Eight Precepts as often as they could. They are an enhanced version of the five precepts followed every day.
Most people who come like to wear white clothes this day, even just a white shirt. But it is completely optional. Feel free to come as you are.
You can also find this event on our meetup page

Click here for registration

Meditate with a Monk

When: Every Thursday, 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Language: English
You get the chance to meditate and chant with a monk trained in the Theravada tradition. Instructions will be given. Suitable for all experience levels. All are welcome.
There is no charge or need to register.

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Activities