The Eno River Buddhist Community

Bodhi tree leaves (Ficus religiosa)

An Insight Meditation practice group

Associated with the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,
Durham, North Carolina

Who we are Who we are

Regular events Regular events

Special events Special events

Finding us Finding us

Contact us Links

Contact us Contact us

Bodhi tree leaves

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. This typically consists of two or three sitting periods, walking meditation, gentle yoga practice (no previous yoga experience necessary) and a recorded dharma talk. Saturday morning retreats are usually held in the Chapel at ERUUF.


Special events

Saturday and Sunday, September 22 & 23, 2007 – The First Stage of Enlightenment
A two-day nonresidential retreat led by Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia

The first stage of enlightenment merits our attention because, presumably, it is what most of us are working on. Three of the ten fetters are overcome at this stage: skeptical doubt, attachment to rites and rituals, and self-view. During this retreat we will explore the meaning of each of these with an eye to understanding our practice and how it is unfolding. During this two-day nonresidential retreat, participants will practice mindfulness techniques while sitting, walking, eating, and moving about throughout the day. This retreat is suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators alike.

Retreat flyer in Adobe PDF format Requires Adobe Reader®


Finding us

We meet in the Commons Room of the CARE Building at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham NC 27707. Map and directions. When you enter the church driveway, bear to the left. Where the road makes a sharp 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

Insight Meditation and Theravāda Buddhism

Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
Access to Insight
Audio Dharma
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
Bhavana Society
Dharma Seed
Insight Meditation Community of Washington
Insight Meditation Society
Metta Forest Monastery
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Local Buddhist Practice Groups

Buddhist Community @ Duke
Chapel Hill Zen Center
Community of Mindful Living - UUFR
Durham Shambhala Center
Kadampa Center
Mindfulness Practice Center of Durham
New Hope Sangha
Piedmont Karma Thegsum Choling

Other Resources

Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Carolina Morning Designs
Duke University Mindfulness Based Stress
   Reduction (MBSR) Program

Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Southern Dharma Retreat Center
Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship


Contact us

General questions: Scott Bryce
Webmaster: Stephen Seiberling

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Revised 9/3/2007