Programs

Meditation Practice

We offer meditation programs in a calm and supportive environment where participants can learn and practice Samatha and Vipassana meditation. Our programs are open to both beginners and experienced practitioners, providing clear guidance to cultivate mindfulness, steady concentration, and inner calm while developing insight into the nature of mind and experience.

Through regular practice, participants learn practical ways to reduce stress and habitual reactivity in daily life. Our teachings support the development of mental clarity, balance, and resilience, while nurturing compassion, wisdom, and mindful awareness that can be integrated into everyday living.

Meditation for Beginners (English)

This in-person program is conducted in English and is especially designed for newcomers interested in learning Buddhist meditation. Sessions include clear, guided meditation instructions suitable for beginners, followed by short discussions on related teachings grounded in the original teachings of the Buddha. No prior meditation experience is required.

  • Date: Weekly on Mondays
  • Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Language: English
  • Venue: Alberta Insight Mediation Centre 

To participate, please register by email at spiritualdirector@abva.org or contact 780-641-9795.

We warmly welcome you to join us.

Samma Ditti Meditation Program (Sinhala)

This program is conducted online via Zoom every Saturday evening and consists of meditation practice and Dhamma discussion based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Sathara Satipaṭṭhāna). The training supports participants in clarifying and deepening their understanding of the path to liberation, while also cultivating mindful awareness that can be meaningfully applied in daily life.

  • Date: Weekly on Saturdays
  • Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
  • Language: Sinhala
  • Venue: Zoom (meeting link and supporting resources will be shared with registered participants)

One-time registration is required via https://forms.gle/yqJXMMEMbYQGx7hW9.

Personalized Introductions

Personalized Introductions is a one-on-one program designed for individuals who wish to learn Buddhist meditation in a supportive and personalized setting. These sessions provide a gentle and practical introduction to the fundamentals of meditation, guided in accordance with the original teachings of the Buddha.

Instruction is available in both English and Sinhala. No prior experience is required, and the pace and content are carefully tailored to each participant’s background, interests, and level of familiarity.

The purpose of this program is to help participants establish a clear foundation and build confidence in their meditation practice, enabling them to comfortably join and benefit from ongoing group meditation and Dhamma programs.

If you are interested, please contact us at spiritualdirector@abva.org or 780-641-9795 to arrange a session time.

Dhamma Study

Our Dhamma Study programs offer a welcoming space to explore the Buddha’s teachings, develop mindfulness, wisdom, and ethical conduct, and learn to apply the Dhamma in daily life. By integrating study with practice, these programs guide participants on the path toward liberation from suffering and the cycle of saṃsāra.

Dhamma Padaya

This program offers a systematic and in-depth study of the Dhammapada, following the stanzas in their original sequence as preserved in the Tipiṭaka. Each session carefully examines the selected verses, exploring their meanings, key Pāli terms, and the context of the Buddha’s teachings to support a clear and accurate understanding of the Dhamma.

Guided discussion is an integral part of the program, encouraging participants to reflect on how the teachings of each stanza can be meaningfully applied to both secular and spiritual aspects of daily life. Through this structured approach, the program supports the gradual cultivation of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mindful awareness rooted in the Buddha’s original teachings.

  • Date: First and third Wednesdays of the month
  • Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  •  Language: Sinhala
  • Venue: Online with this Zoom link. 

Ogha Tharana Sutta Study

This program offers an in-depth study of the core teachings of Buddhism through a focused and integrated exploration of selected suttas from the Pāli Canon (Tipiṭaka). Rather than examining texts in isolation, the program analyzes how multiple suttas work together to illuminate key themes and doctrinal principles, allowing participants to develop a well-rounded and coherent understanding of the Dhamma.

Guided by the framework of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Sathara Satipaṭṭhāna), the study draws from various collections within the Pāli Canon to provide a rich and detailed analysis that is both academically rigorous and closely connected to meditation practice. The program supports Dhamma study alongside practical application, helping participants bridge textual understanding with lived experience on the path of mindfulness, insight, and liberation.

  • Date: First and third Sundays of the month
  • Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  •  Language: Sinhala
  • Venue: Online via Zoom (meeting link and resources will be shared with registered participants)

Participants interested in joining are kindly requested to register by emailing programs@abva.org. 

The Great Disciples of the Buddha

This program explores the lives, teachings, and exemplary qualities of the great disciples of the Buddha. Through stories, suttas, and teachings associated with these arahants, participants gain insight into how the Buddha’s core teachings were embodied in daily life and spiritual practice. The program highlights their wisdom, ethical conduct, mindfulness, and dedication, offering practical inspiration for applying the Dhamma in one’s own life.

  • Date: Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month
  • Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
  •  Language: English
  • Venue: Online with this Zoom link. 

Children's Programs

Sunday Dhamma School

This program is designed to inspire and support younger generations in learning and practicing Theravāda Buddhism. Children are introduced to the teachings of the Buddha and encouraged to apply them in daily life by cultivating wholesome thoughts, words, and deeds. The program emphasizes the values of Compassion, Acceptance, Insight, Interest, Respect, and Virtue, helping children develop a strong moral and ethical foundation.

Dhamma School lessons cover a broad range of topics, including the Life of the Buddha, Buddhist Culture, Core Teachings, and Practical Dhamma. Through interactive lessons and guided activities, children are nurtured to understand and live the Dhamma in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

Please visit the Dhamma School website for more details: https://dhammaschool.abva.org