The Buddhist Society

Has a good library, always friendly and helpful. Kitchen downstairs to make yourself a cuppa.

Igbier

Used to come here regularly in the 1980s at the start of my Buddhist journey. Great place. Made many good friends, heard some legendary dharma masters giving talks. I'd recommend!👍

The Buddhist Society all the intellectuals of London joined this group we have a whatsapp group associated with our whatsapp group. Buddhist London Assembly! My whatsapp number is +918004822392 it is to spread to Buddhist throughout London

Update after visting:
It took a lot of resolve to visit in person. After enduring an excessive detour to get there. On entering I got no hello from the secretary, only ''Are you sure this is the place you want?'' followed by ''Oh you're lucky you've got two of us''. Huh?
For the entirety of time I was there, an hour, he could be heard gossiping loudly on the phone. Yet whenever I'd called he'd always been curt and too busy. Now I know why.
It's not possible to peruse books in the library easily, behind glass cases its difficult to read the titles and there is no obvious categorisation.
D T Susuki's books were inspiring. What helped was Wandue. His attitude was different, he was gracious and tried to help. Without patronising suspicion.
He showed me the pristine rooms and explained things. He even let me eat my lunch in the library as the nearby gardens are closed.
Wangdu was a startling contrast to the only atttitude I've gotten from the secretary, odd and abrasive. Wangdu doesn't have the sense of entitlement, which only comes from being a member of the family that has assumed total control of the Society and everything else. Who charm some and dismiss others.
Perhaps Wandu is the needed antidote and dharma reasserting itself in that palce.

Experience before visiting:
I called the charity several times to ask when the buildings will reopen to the public. An innocent enough question you'd think! Alas no, a tooth extraction would be easier. I got squirming evasiveness, was told about their ''free'' online talks, and the challenges of covid in a sarcastic and condescending way.

I only wanted to know when the building would open. It wasn't a trick question nor did I demand it be open.

There isn't openness or transparency. And they like to leave you with a bad taste after any encounter. Even when I asked about membership I felt dissauded.

Whether on the phone or in classes they think they are superior and should teach people a lesson. Instead of genuine teaching or being a neutral place of learning.

They've had some interesting guest speakers introduced by their President who eloquent.

The majority of the meditation teachers are painful to listen to. Some are very somber and speak in an seething way, like they're on something. Buddhism isn't morose yet they do make it so. Some are just vying to be head honcho at the Society. When rarely I had a question answered it was with a put down or passive aggression to make themselves seem superior.

Exceptions to this are a kind and humble teacher who does a session montly and lives in Spain. And the Sanskrit teacher is convivial, but he looks away from his camera for the whole class which on zoom isn't helpful.

I've never visited the Society in person and only wanted to visit its library. Alas its not to be as the message is loud and clear I'm unwelcome. I have no idea why, apart from the name don't fit.

Christmas Humphries the founder was known for his good will and good cheer. I have never experienced this from my limited experience of the Society. Or from most Western led Buddhist organisations. By contrast many Eastern places have been warm, welcoming, open and transparent. Language barriers there led me to think the Society was a better choice. I was mistaken. Christmas Humphrey's feared the corrupting influence of western ways on the essence of Buddhism. He predicted well.

My limited experience of the Society has been negative, from my first interaction, without knowing me and for no reason I can fathom. Quite inconsiderate, unkind, sarcastic and pompous.

The resources of the Society could benefit people, as Humphrey's wanted but the current owners are suspicious of people.

This is the best place I've found to learn all aspects of Buddhism, after many years lost going to Amravati and temples. They've done a great service during covid, with an online programme of lectures, meditation and other events. These always run on time with excellent sound and video quality and time given for questions.

They have a range of speakers to suit all tastes. One or two speakers seem egotistic, relying on a string of cliches. Other speakers are highly knowledgeable and embody their teachings.

The society has a bright, attractive website with interesting information which is always up to date. Its easily the best website I've seen. The Society's online offering has provided an invaluable service during the pandemic. I hope it continues after things reopen for those unable to attend in person.

There are a few peculiarities such as aversion to feedback, which makes things a bit one sided. And a certain suspiciousness of newcomers. Nonetheless it's the best place in the UK to learn about different schools of Buddhism.