Category: News & Events

April 11, EDG Outing at MFAH: Buddha / Nature

Published on by Lee Wen Teh

Buddha/Nature: Five Dialogues on Our Shared World & Meditation 

The English Dharma Group warmly invites you to join us for a shared visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to experience Buddha/Nature, a special exhibition bringing together ancient Buddhist sculpture and contemporary art in reflection on our shared world.
Organized around five themes—Samsara, Impermanence, Karma, Compassion, and Awakening—the exhibition explores cycles of life, our relationship with nature, and the ethical questions of our time. Rare works from the Xuzhou Collection anchor this powerful dialogue between past and present, inviting us to pause, reflect, and consider our role in a world in flux.
After viewing the exhibition, we will walk together to the peaceful Japanese Garden in Hermann Park for a 30-minute meditation inspired by what we’ve seen, followed by gentle discussion.

Saturday, April 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM

Exhibition tickets: $24 ($20 seniors; free for MFAH members)
Museum parking: $10 (4 hours)
Japanese Garden: Free

The garden is about a 10-minute (½ mile) walk from the museum. Those with mobility concerns are welcome to drive over and join us there. Please bring water and a cushion or towel if you’d like additional support during meditation. Carpooling is encouraged.

Exhibition details > here: 
To join, please email: jadebuddharetreat@yahoo.com

March 28, EDG’s One-Day Meditation Retreat

Published on by Lee Wen Teh

March Retreat with Sharanya Udipi
MINDFULNESS: AN INTRODUCTION

This month’s one‑day meditation retreat at the American Bodhi Center will be led by Sharanya Udipi. Please note that lunch will not be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food. Refrigerators and microwaves will be available. As the American Bodhi Center is a vegetarian complex, please refrain from bringing any meat.

SCHEDULE

9:30-10:00 AMWhat is mindfulness? What is it not? What are the benefits of mindfulness practice? How was secular mindfulness introduced in the West?  
10:00-10:30 AMGrounding meditation  
10:30-11:15 AMWalking meditation  
11:15-11:30 AMBreak  
11:30-12:15 PMSamatha or breath meditation  
12:15-1:30 PMLunch (Bring your own)  
1:30-2:15 PMBody scan meditation (bring a throw or yoga mat if you need)  
2:15-2:30 PMBreak  
2:30-3:00 PMEating meditation (Bring raisins if you can)  
3:00-3:45 PMVipassana Meditation  
3:45-4:00 PMQuestions and feedback  

Dāna Opportunities – Supporting the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi), Founded by Bhante Rāhula

Published on by Lee Wen Teh

Dear EDG Members,

We are honored to share an opportunity to support Bhante Rāhula, a valued EDG speaker and the founder of the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Bhante Rāhula’s unwavering dedication to spreading the Dhamma across Mexico, North America and Latin America is truly inspiring. Through his practical and compassionate approach, he continues to make ancient wisdom relevant in today’s world, touching the lives of countless individuals.

If you would like to support Bhante Rāhula’s invaluable work, please consider making a donation via PayPal.

Your generosity—whether a one-time or monthly contribution—goes directly to sustaining the Mexican Buddhist Center and Bhante’s mission to share the Dhamma.

Here are some photos showcasing the monastery’s construction progress.

And here’s a short video highlighting the retreats led by Bhante in year 2024.

Bhante Rāhula’s EDG Dhamma Talks

Published on by BHS

We are very excited to announce that Bhante Rāhula from Mexico will be giving talks at EDG on 5/26/2024 and 6/23/2024. This will be Bhante’s first time sharing his teaching at EDG and we look forward to his presentations. Bhante is an expert in Abhidhamma, a skilled speaker, and an educator.

In these initial talks with EDG, Bhante would like to share and explore practical ways to apply the Dhamma in our daily lives.

Introducing Bhante Rāhula

Bhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.

He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University.

He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community.

For the last 7 years, Bhante has offered continuous weekly courses on the anatomy of the mind (applied Abhidhamma) in English and Spanish, followed online by students in more than 15 countries.

In the beginning of 2023, Bhante conducted a Dhamma tour in South America, leading retreats and talks in Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador.

Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region.

Below are a few pictures from retreats and events led by Bhante Rāhula:

Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi)
Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi)
Talks for children
Talks to 2,000 parents of drug addicts
Talk to relieve stress and develop the Brahmavihārā for doctors
Retreat in South America

Here are a few Dhamma talks by Bhante Rāhula:

Weekly Nikaya Reading Class

Published on by BHS

Starting February 23rd (Monday), 2026, we will start reading the Majjhima Nikaya translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi of Nikaya series.

We meet at 7:00PM to 8:20PM central time every Monday via Zoom. Whoever is interested, please contact nikaya.mgr@gmail.com.

It is a wonderful opportunity to bring you closer to the Buddha’s teachings. FYI. You can also purchase the Majjhima Nikaya on Amazon.