We ask all attendees, as far as they can, to follow the following guidelines -

Each meeting is an opportunity to practice without interruption, respecting each other’s beliefs and feelings.

If you have a contagious illness (such as a bad cold, the ‘flu or Covid) please do attend the meetings to avoid spreading it.

If you arrive late please either wait in the entrance until the meditation session finishes or quietly enter the meditation room.

You may leave whenever you need, but please try to do so before the start of the next meditation period.

If it is your first meeting please make yourself known to the Convenor who will explain the schedule and introduce you to the other members

Please Note that we have no authority to give teachings or personal spiritual guidance on behalf of any Buddhist temple, monastery or organisation; only meditation, readings and general discussions take place at meetings, sharing our knowledge and experience as laypeople.

Meditation sessions.

The room where the meditation takes place should be treated with respect and dignity.

Some members remove their footwear on entering, but most do not.

Please turn your mobile telephone off, unless you are expecting an urgent call.

If you do not have a personal practice please tell the Convenor who will include a guided meditation to assist you.

Otherwise please meditate as you normally would at a meeting. You are welcome to bring your own meditation cushion (Zafu), bench, mat or rug if you have them. There are plenty of chairs to sit on, but you may wish to bring your own cushion to be more comfortable.

Please sit quietly, without fidgeting, trying not to disturb others.

Longer meetings

Occasionally, generally at the celebration of the Buddha’s life (Wesak) and other longer meetings, there may be a special ceremony held, which attendees can choose to participate in or not.

Generally, incense is not used at meetings.  However, it may be offered at special occasions. If this is a problem, please consult the Convenor.

Readings and discussions.

Please listen quietly to readings without interrupting. There will be time for discussion later.

During discussions be polite and accept that different traditions may have different interpretations and emphases. And people may hold different views.

In discussion, please make your contribution succinctly, to allow others the time to contribute.

Discussions should be gentle and not arguments, providing the opportunity for everyone who wishes to contribute and be heard.

General

If you don’t wish to take part in an activity you are welcome to sit quietly and observe or to leave the room.

Please try to follow the agreed meeting schedule, especially when it comes to breaks, so that it runs smoothly and on time.

Because other groups may be using the building at the same time, please be understanding if there is some extraneous noise, especially if this occurs during the meditation sessions.

The room used is hired for a set period of time. It is appreciated if at the close of the meeting, everyone could help to tidy the room and leave promptly.

Guidelines for Zoom Meetings

Try to enter the Zoom session on time.

Please mute your microphone at the start of the meditation period.

Try not to interrupt others when they are speaking – Zoom only lets one person to speak at a time.

One member will recite the “offering” at the end of the meeting on behalf of the attendees, but you are welcome to join in at home in “muted” mode, otherwise it becomes chaotic.

Facebook Club Page

Whilst anybody can “like” our Facebook page, the Club Page is for people who attend our meetings or live near Hull only. It is to share further information about particular meetings, events and news that might be of interest to members, and for respectful discussions.

Data Protections

Although we are not a formal organisation we try to adhere to the principles of the Data Protection Act. A list of email addresses is shared by the Convenors and is used to send information to members. We do not keep a list of postal addresses or telephone numbers. We will not reveal members contact details (apart from those of the Convenors) to the general membership or third parties, but are willing to forward messages to specific members. Photographs of meetings may be used on our public website or Facebook Page, but generally people are only identified by their preferred first name; members not wishing to be photographed should stand behind the photographer.