Aro Buddhism

The Aro Buddhist Tradition is a family lineage, which is part of the broader Nyingma Tradition – the oldest of the Tibetan Buddhist lines. Aro is principally concerned with transforming our experience of everyday being, rather than achieving an esoteric or spiritualised mode of existence. Our aim is to engender cheerful courage, perceptive consideration, sincere determination, natural gallantry, graciousness, creativity, and spaciousness.

Our teachers are not monks or nuns. They are ordained Tantrikas – whose lives are, in many ways, quite ordinary. They may have conventional jobs, or raise children and many teach as married couples. Their wisdom is embodied in the ways they live everyday life. Facing the same life challenges as their students, they are able to offer advice that is grounded in personal experience as well as profound religious understanding.

The tradition emphasises simplicity, clarity, and depth – both of practice and understanding. To wield the essential functions of Buddhism is our mode of practice. To grasp the essential principles of Buddhism is our mode of study.

The Aro Buddhist path is structured as a series of phases which allow a gradually increasing involvement and commitment as interest and understanding deepens.

For the general public, we offer talks, a course of classes, weekend retreats, weekly meditation groups, and a host of learning materials including a free on-line meditation course, books, newsletters, and several web sites. Forthcoming events at Aro Ling can be seen on our local calendar, whilst for events beyond Bristol check our world-wide calendar.

Like many similar Buddhist lineages, the Aro teachings are named for their founder. In our case it is the female visionary Aro Lingma, pictured here. She taught in Tibet at the beginning of the 20^th Century. Whilst there are myriad small family lines in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Aro Tradition has deep roots, which go back to the origins of Buddhism in Tibet. Aro Lingma herself comes from a line of accomplished female practitioners that begins with Yeshé Tsogyel – the female Tantric Buddha. Yeshé Tsogyel, together with Padmasambhava, founded the Nyingma tradition and so established Buddhism in Tibet.