The Eno River Buddhist Community

Who we are

We are a Buddhist practice group that meets regularly for meditation, exploration of the teachings of Buddhism, and support in cultivating the path of practice. We ground our practice in the Insight Meditation (vipassana) tradition, while remaining open to wisdom from the broader spectrum of Buddhist teaching.

Our group seeks to explore the heart of Buddhist teaching and practice, while embracing the process of discovering skillful ways to adapt the tradition to our culture and times. We are peer led. Some participants work with planning and leading on behalf of the group as a form of awareness practice. Voluntary donations to support the activities of the community are gratefully accepted. The group is sponsored by the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ERUUF); however, involvement in the congregation is not required or expected.

Helpful things to know about how we practice.

What is Insight Meditation?

Regular events

The group meets every Monday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at ERUUF, in the Commons Room of the CARE Building. Newcomers are always welcome. A concurrent session providing instruction in basic meditation practice is offered on the third Monday of each month from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Monthly Monday Night Schedule

Monday night meetings always include a half hour of sitting meditation, usually followed by walking meditation. Additional elements vary somewhat from week to week:

First and second Mondays: Key Buddhist teachings and practices;
Third Mondays: Recitation of the Five Precepts, concurrent meditation instruction;
Fourth Mondays: Metta (loving-kindness) meditation;
Fifth Mondays: Special topics.

Saturday Morning Retreats

We hold a morning retreat on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to noon, providing an opportunity for more extended practice. The morning typically includes chanting of the refuges and precepts, two sitting periods, walking meditation, and gentle yoga practice (no previous yoga experience necessary). Saturday morning retreats are usually held in the Chapel at ERUUF.

Special events

Sunday, October 26, 2008 – Dhammapada Study Group organizational meeting

The Dhammapada is said to be the most widely read Buddhist text, expressing a wide range of teachings from the requisites for a happy life to the steps that lead to Nibbāna. Across all the centuries, what might we learn from this text about spiritual development and liberation? The study group will read and discuss the Dhammapada as a way to deepen understanding and practice of the Buddha's path, and to explore issues of interpretation that come up when studying this and other ancient Buddhist texts. If you are a Buddhist practitioner, or simply interested in getting a deeper understanding of what the Buddha taught, please consider joining us. The initial meeting will take place Sunday, Oct. 26, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. in Room 1 of the CARE Bldg. For more information, please contact Steve Seiberling at

Thursday - Sunday, December 4 - 7, 2008 – Meditation Retreat led by Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia at the Stone House in Mebane, NC

One of the groups of factors given special prominence in the Suttas is the five indriya or spiritual faculties. These are saddhā (conviction with regard to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), viriya (persistence in abandoning unskillful mental qualities and taking on skillful mental qualities), sati (mindfulness of body, feeling, mind, and objects of the mind), samādhi (concentration withdrawn from sensuality and withdrawn from unskillful mental qualities), and paññā (discernment with regard to the noble truths). During this retreat, we will examine this important teaching of the Buddha in an environment of silent meditation practice.

The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation as well as optional gentle yoga. Taraniya will offer meditation instruction, Dhamma talks, group interviews, and question & answer opportunities. The retreat is suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators alike.

Retreat flyer Requires Adobe Reader®

Finding us

Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are held at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ERUUF), 4907 Garrett Road, Durham NC 27707. Map and directions. On Monday nights we meet in the Commons Room of the CARE Building at ERUUF. When you enter the church driveway, bear to the left. Where the driveway makes a turn to the right, the CARE building is on your right. Saturday morning retreats are held in the Chapel in the Fellowship's main sanctuary building.

Links

Contact us

General questions: Scott Bryce
Webmaster: Stephen Seiberling

Revised 10/14/2008