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Expert: - 10/11/2008


Question
How is a service at a Tibetan Buddhist Center followed? How long is the service?

Answer
Hi Beverly,
You have asked a good, straigtforward question. Unfortunately it does not have a straightforward answer. It could be from 10 minutes to a month!
If you are talking about a centre in the west with, say, a weekly session for all comers, then *typically* there would be something between a quarter or half an hour of various chants, and between 5 minutes and half an hour of silent meditation. Really, though, you have to ask at the centre concerned, but normally you will get a friendly answer from them.
Would you tell me which centre you have in mind?
All the best
Alex W

Buddhists

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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