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 Peoria Insight Meditation Group provides a space and time for people to gather to meditate and discuss the progress of their ongoing practice. For those who do not already follow a specific meditation tradition, we offer basic instruction in insight meditation. Insight meditation is the simple and direct practice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. Through careful and sustained observation, we experience for ourselves the ever-changing flow of the mind/body process. This awareness leads us to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness that life inevitably brings. As insight deepens, we develop greater equanimity and peace in the face of change, and wisdom and compassion increasingly become the guiding principles of our lives. Whether you come to meditation with an interest in reducing stress, improving your health, calming your emotions, exploring your mind and spirit, or working towards a life with more wisdom and compassion, we are here to help you learn the art of meditation and to support you in continuing to practice.
Also, since December of 2008, we are hosting the Peoria Buddhism Meetup Group. This meetup has been in existence since 2002, previously met monthly at Barnes and Noble, and now meet with us for meditation instruction, conversation and discussion.
As of January, 2010, we have a resident teacher.
Bhante Rahula was born in Sri Lanka and became a novice monk when he was twelve. After having his eight year monastic training, he received his full ordination in 1999 and completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at the University of Jayawadanapura in Sri Lanka. After serving as Deputy Abbot of Sudharshanaramaya Buddhist Temple in Sri Lanka, he taught in Singapore and Malaysia, where he shared his Dharma experiences. His meditation instruction is in the form practiced in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. He moved to the United States in 2007. He now resides in Pekin, Illinois.
To give some background on names/titles, Bhante (BON tay) is a form of address meaning "venerable sir" that is customarily used when addressing monks in Sri Lanka. When I asked Bhante Rahula if monks are given new names when they take ordination, he said 'yes,' that they receive a new first name, and that in place of their family name (surname), they take the name of their place of birth. Bhante's full name is Bhante Rahula Ingiriye.
For a full list of meditation instruction given by Bhante Rahula in our area, click on "Meetings/News" at left, and scroll down.
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