NEW BUDDHA WAY

New Buddha Way (NBW) is a movement of meditators that has been meeting regularly in Guildford since 2002. It also runs a course in central London.

• It is independent and not affiliated to any Eastern tradition.
• It is grown from core elements of the Buddha's original teachings.
• These teachings are brought into a contemporary social context, entirely in the English language, for ordinary people.
• It is a practice, not a belief system.
• It is flexible and questioning, and not afraid to let go of literalistic beliefs such as 'rebirth'.
• It is not a group (since it has no boundary, inside/outside), and has no membership.
• It has no priests, no guru and no master (except you).
• Its basic idea is that you already have what you need to enlighten yourself - you just forgot where you put it.
• There are no fees or charges for attending events, however donations are welcome.
• Participants come and go as they please, and are not expected to take any vows.
• Some NBW participants may belong to specific 'Buddhist' groups, traditions and lines, some to other religions, and some may have no commitment, belief or affiliation.
• Participants take responsibility for their own lives, in their own way, in their own time. NBW's approach is to look to no one for salvation, but only for guidance.
• Meditation is focussed in NBW sessions, but is meaningless if not taken into the ordinary life of each participant.
• Sessions are led by a number of facilitators (who have had several years of meditation experience), and any participant may learn to facilitate at an appropriate time.
• Note that there is nothing Eastern about these meditation sessions - no images, rituals, robes, technical terms, etc.
• Anyone of any religion (or none), culture, gender, race, age, size, ability, educational qualification or none, employment or non-employment, or any persuasion may attend network events.
• It provides an easy-to-understand and practical Entry Course in London (once a week for 13-weeks), followed by Guided Sessions (with Noble Eightfold Path instruction) and Silent Sessions (with Middle Way instruction).
• It is democratic and participatory - we listen as a community to your questions and concerns.
• NBW as such has no special connection with a monastic way of life, and the choice of such a life (or any other lifestyle) is, of course, determined by the participant.
• NBW and the Buddha Dharma have no special connection with psychotherapy and counselling, and NBW is of the view that using the name and positive associations of the Buddha to deploy his meditation techniques out of their specific spiritual context may be misleading about the Dharma and the Buddha's life work.
• NBW is not a company, and is not currently a charity. For resourcing it depends entirely on the donations of participants. Weekly accounts are kept and any regular participant may scrutinise them on request. NBW has its own bank account.

The Founder of New Buddha Way is Geoffrey Hunt, 'Buddhist Chaplain' for the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. He was Professor of Ethics at the university until May 2008, and is now Professor of Philosophy at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, London. He is the chair of the ethics committees for two hospices.