Philosophical Inquiry - How an Understanding of Buddhist Metaphysics Leads to Wellbeing, with Geshe Rinchen Wangyal - Saturday 29th March 2025 (Onsite)
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm (with lunch)
Format: Day course, onsite
Overview
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality, existence, and the universe. Buddhism also deeply engages with such questions, for example in the key distinction between conventional reality and ultimate reality. However, a key difference is that metaphysics traditionally does not focus on the mind in the context of understanding these questions, whereas Buddhism does. In other words, the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions is deeply psychological, applying metaphysical inquiry to understand the nature of the mind.
The parable of the Poisoned Arrow illustrates the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions. In this story, the Buddha advises a man struck by a poisoned arrow to focus on removing the arrow rather than insisting on knowing who shot it, what kind of wood it was made from, or what type of feathers were used. The Buddha’s teachings on non-self, impermanence, and emptiness are profound metaphysical insights, but they are not meant to be debated just as abstract concepts. Instead, they serve as guides for our practice, helping us to see the true nature of reality and live with wisdom and compassion, removing the arrow of our suffering.
This session will help us understand how Buddhist philosophical questions about reality and existence can be applied to our everyday lives making us happier, kinder and more peaceful individuals.
We are thrilled that this session will be led by Geshe Rinchen Wangyal, who is uniquely qualified to bridge philosophical concepts across Eastern and Western traditions, having completed his traditional Tibetan Buddhist education at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in India, and gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at The University of Winchester in the UK.
Topics
A Buddhist view on the true nature of reality
Non-self, impermanence & emptiness
How an understanding of these concepts leads to better well-being
Schedule
Morning teaching session: 10:00am - 12:30 am, with a 30 minute break
Lunch 12:30 - 2:00pm
Afternoon session: 2:00pm - 4:00pm with a 30 minute break
About the Teacher
Geshe Rinchen studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery in India, then the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. He went on to study at The University of Winchester in the UK where he gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has been published in “The Scientific American” in 2020, ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’, as well articles in the Tibet Times and Tibet Expres. He has receieved Awards and Honors for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe Rinchen speaks Tibetan and English fluently.
Explore a video of Geshe Rinchen teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozhI3LCB5hc
Who Should Attend
Anyone interested in meditation, religious life, and inner development, Buddhist practitioners of all levels.
Lunch & Refreshments
We are pleased to provide complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two course vegetarian lunch included in your booking. Please advise of any dietary requirements on the booking form.
Location
Teachings will be onsite at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, Pentwyn Manor, Penrhos, Raglan, Usk, Wales, NP15 2LE - directions here >
The closest train station is Abergavenny, where it is a 20min drive. A lift from the station and back is possible with limited places, please email lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com ahead of time to arrange.
Tickets & Donation
Everyone is welcome to attend Buddhist teachings freely with no donation. However, the Centre does rely on donations to stay open, which are gratefully received. We offer two main rates to enable as many people as possible to attend our teachings. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able. Your generosity is vital in supporting the Centre.
Standard Rate - This includes a donation to help sustain Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, and to cover costs and teacher expenses.
Basic Rate - This covers the very basic costs of running this course.
Support Rate - Contact us via lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com if the above rates are too high for you where we can discuss further subsidised options.
Donate Onsite - If you prefer to donate cash or use card onsite, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register.
Donate via BACS - If you prefer to donate via BACS, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register. Then follow the instructions for BACS donation >
Important on Booking: Our online system uses PayPal to take donations. If you do not have a PayPal Account you can pay as a Guest. Please click the link ‘Try Another Way’ , then follow instructions for ‘Pay by Debit or Credit Card’.
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm (with lunch)
Format: Day course, onsite
Overview
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality, existence, and the universe. Buddhism also deeply engages with such questions, for example in the key distinction between conventional reality and ultimate reality. However, a key difference is that metaphysics traditionally does not focus on the mind in the context of understanding these questions, whereas Buddhism does. In other words, the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions is deeply psychological, applying metaphysical inquiry to understand the nature of the mind.
The parable of the Poisoned Arrow illustrates the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions. In this story, the Buddha advises a man struck by a poisoned arrow to focus on removing the arrow rather than insisting on knowing who shot it, what kind of wood it was made from, or what type of feathers were used. The Buddha’s teachings on non-self, impermanence, and emptiness are profound metaphysical insights, but they are not meant to be debated just as abstract concepts. Instead, they serve as guides for our practice, helping us to see the true nature of reality and live with wisdom and compassion, removing the arrow of our suffering.
This session will help us understand how Buddhist philosophical questions about reality and existence can be applied to our everyday lives making us happier, kinder and more peaceful individuals.
We are thrilled that this session will be led by Geshe Rinchen Wangyal, who is uniquely qualified to bridge philosophical concepts across Eastern and Western traditions, having completed his traditional Tibetan Buddhist education at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in India, and gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at The University of Winchester in the UK.
Topics
A Buddhist view on the true nature of reality
Non-self, impermanence & emptiness
How an understanding of these concepts leads to better well-being
Schedule
Morning teaching session: 10:00am - 12:30 am, with a 30 minute break
Lunch 12:30 - 2:00pm
Afternoon session: 2:00pm - 4:00pm with a 30 minute break
About the Teacher
Geshe Rinchen studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery in India, then the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. He went on to study at The University of Winchester in the UK where he gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has been published in “The Scientific American” in 2020, ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’, as well articles in the Tibet Times and Tibet Expres. He has receieved Awards and Honors for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe Rinchen speaks Tibetan and English fluently.
Explore a video of Geshe Rinchen teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozhI3LCB5hc
Who Should Attend
Anyone interested in meditation, religious life, and inner development, Buddhist practitioners of all levels.
Lunch & Refreshments
We are pleased to provide complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two course vegetarian lunch included in your booking. Please advise of any dietary requirements on the booking form.
Location
Teachings will be onsite at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, Pentwyn Manor, Penrhos, Raglan, Usk, Wales, NP15 2LE - directions here >
The closest train station is Abergavenny, where it is a 20min drive. A lift from the station and back is possible with limited places, please email lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com ahead of time to arrange.
Tickets & Donation
Everyone is welcome to attend Buddhist teachings freely with no donation. However, the Centre does rely on donations to stay open, which are gratefully received. We offer two main rates to enable as many people as possible to attend our teachings. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able. Your generosity is vital in supporting the Centre.
Standard Rate - This includes a donation to help sustain Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, and to cover costs and teacher expenses.
Basic Rate - This covers the very basic costs of running this course.
Support Rate - Contact us via lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com if the above rates are too high for you where we can discuss further subsidised options.
Donate Onsite - If you prefer to donate cash or use card onsite, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register.
Donate via BACS - If you prefer to donate via BACS, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register. Then follow the instructions for BACS donation >
Important on Booking: Our online system uses PayPal to take donations. If you do not have a PayPal Account you can pay as a Guest. Please click the link ‘Try Another Way’ , then follow instructions for ‘Pay by Debit or Credit Card’.
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm (with lunch)
Format: Day course, onsite
Overview
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality, existence, and the universe. Buddhism also deeply engages with such questions, for example in the key distinction between conventional reality and ultimate reality. However, a key difference is that metaphysics traditionally does not focus on the mind in the context of understanding these questions, whereas Buddhism does. In other words, the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions is deeply psychological, applying metaphysical inquiry to understand the nature of the mind.
The parable of the Poisoned Arrow illustrates the Buddha’s approach to metaphysical questions. In this story, the Buddha advises a man struck by a poisoned arrow to focus on removing the arrow rather than insisting on knowing who shot it, what kind of wood it was made from, or what type of feathers were used. The Buddha’s teachings on non-self, impermanence, and emptiness are profound metaphysical insights, but they are not meant to be debated just as abstract concepts. Instead, they serve as guides for our practice, helping us to see the true nature of reality and live with wisdom and compassion, removing the arrow of our suffering.
This session will help us understand how Buddhist philosophical questions about reality and existence can be applied to our everyday lives making us happier, kinder and more peaceful individuals.
We are thrilled that this session will be led by Geshe Rinchen Wangyal, who is uniquely qualified to bridge philosophical concepts across Eastern and Western traditions, having completed his traditional Tibetan Buddhist education at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in India, and gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at The University of Winchester in the UK.
Topics
A Buddhist view on the true nature of reality
Non-self, impermanence & emptiness
How an understanding of these concepts leads to better well-being
Schedule
Morning teaching session: 10:00am - 12:30 am, with a 30 minute break
Lunch 12:30 - 2:00pm
Afternoon session: 2:00pm - 4:00pm with a 30 minute break
About the Teacher
Geshe Rinchen studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery in India, then the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. He went on to study at The University of Winchester in the UK where he gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has been published in “The Scientific American” in 2020, ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’, as well articles in the Tibet Times and Tibet Expres. He has receieved Awards and Honors for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe Rinchen speaks Tibetan and English fluently.
Explore a video of Geshe Rinchen teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozhI3LCB5hc
Who Should Attend
Anyone interested in meditation, religious life, and inner development, Buddhist practitioners of all levels.
Lunch & Refreshments
We are pleased to provide complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two course vegetarian lunch included in your booking. Please advise of any dietary requirements on the booking form.
Location
Teachings will be onsite at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, Pentwyn Manor, Penrhos, Raglan, Usk, Wales, NP15 2LE - directions here >
The closest train station is Abergavenny, where it is a 20min drive. A lift from the station and back is possible with limited places, please email lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com ahead of time to arrange.
Tickets & Donation
Everyone is welcome to attend Buddhist teachings freely with no donation. However, the Centre does rely on donations to stay open, which are gratefully received. We offer two main rates to enable as many people as possible to attend our teachings. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able. Your generosity is vital in supporting the Centre.
Standard Rate - This includes a donation to help sustain Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, and to cover costs and teacher expenses.
Basic Rate - This covers the very basic costs of running this course.
Support Rate - Contact us via lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com if the above rates are too high for you where we can discuss further subsidised options.
Donate Onsite - If you prefer to donate cash or use card onsite, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register.
Donate via BACS - If you prefer to donate via BACS, please select this ticket option and complete the booking form register. Then follow the instructions for BACS donation >
Important on Booking: Our online system uses PayPal to take donations. If you do not have a PayPal Account you can pay as a Guest. Please click the link ‘Try Another Way’ , then follow instructions for ‘Pay by Debit or Credit Card’.