Gautama Dhamma

A Summary

About Gautama Dhamma Society

The Gautama Dhamma Society is a Theravada Buddhist organization dedicated to preserving and practicing the authentic teachings of Gautama Buddha. It has two locations in Ontario, Canada: a dedicated meditation center in Peterborough and a vibrant lay community hub in Kitchener known as Padma Village.

The meditation center in Peterborough provides a serene and secluded environment for individuals seeking to deepen their meditation practice. It hosts regular meditation retreats, offering a focused space for cultivating mindfulness, exploring the jhānas (meditative absorptions), and developing insight (vipassanā).

Padma Village in Kitchener serves as a home base for a thriving lay community. This intentional community provides a supportive environment for lay practitioners to live and practice together, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Padma Village is more than just a residential space; it is a hub for study groups, Dhamma discussions, and community activities, strengthening the bonds between members and deepening their understanding of the teachings.

The Gautama Dhamma Society’s dual presence in Ontario reflects its commitment to both monastic and lay practice. The meditation center in Peterborough supports the intensive practice of monastics and dedicated lay practitioners, while Padma Village in Kitchener provides a space for lay Buddhists to integrate the Dhamma into their daily lives and contribute to the flourishing of the Theravada tradition.

The Mission

The society’s mission is to promote a deep understanding of the Dhamma, cultivate a strong community of practitioners, and support individuals on their path to liberation. Key aspects of the Gautama Dhamma Society’s mission include:

• Upholding the Pāli Canon: The society emphasizes the importance of the Pāli Canon as the primary source of the Buddha’s teachings. They promote the study, translation, and preservation of these ancient texts to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Dhamma.
• Maintaining Monastic Discipline (Vinaya): The society upholds the Vinaya, the monastic code of discipline, as a vital framework for supporting the Sangha and fostering a conducive environment for the practice of the Dhamma.
• Restoring Samatha-Vipassanā Meditation: The society is committed to reviving the Buddha’s original meditation techniques, particularly Samatha (calm abiding) and Vipassanā (insight) meditation, based on canonical sources rather than later commentarial traditions.
• Recognizing the Bhikkhunī Order: The society supports the full restoration of the Bhikkhunī Order (fully ordained nuns), recognizing the importance of gender inclusivity in the monastic community.
• Adapting Ancient Monasticism to the Modern World: The society recognizes the need to adapt ancient monasticism to contemporary realities without compromising authenticity. They promote lay community involvement, engage in meaningful charity work, and explore how modern insights, particularly in psychology, can enrich the understanding and application of the Dhamma.
• Bridging Tradition and Modernity: The society strives to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern needs, making the teachings accessible through online education and digital resources, engaging with scholars and practitioners, and encouraging lay participation in Buddhist ethics, study, and meditation practice.

Through these multifaceted efforts, the Gautama Dhamma Society aims to preserve the integrity of the Buddha’s teachings, cultivate a thriving community of practitioners, and support individuals in their journey towards wisdom, compassion, and liberation.