Teachings in U3A, Southern Highlands

Southern Highlands U3A is one of many U3A groups throughout Australia and the world. The University of Third Age concept began in France in 1972 and has since spread around the globe.

U3A is a not for profit organisation providing learning experiences for retired and semi-retired people throughout the four terms of the year. 

U3A  offers around 50 courses in a diverse range of subjects and activities reflecting their interests.

U3A Southern Highlands is an active group with more than 900 members (June 2013). Most of the members live in the     Wingecarribee Shire including the towns of Bundanoon,       Moss Vale, Robertson, Bowral and Mittagong, plus many lovely villages and residential areas in the surrounding districts.

Retirees have a lifetime of knowledge and experience, and the sharing of that knowledge with members is the cornerstone of the organization.  

Venerable Phra Mana has been invited to teach Buddhism to U3A Southern Highlands as follows:

            2010 - 2011       Archaeological History of Buddhism Part I and II

            2012                   Buddhism in the Silicone Age

            2013                   Caves to Canvas: A Development of Buddhist Art from Prehistoric

                                        Time.

            2014                   Crossroad of Buddhism and Culture 

           2015                    Buddhism in the present day

           2016                    Archaeological Buddhist Study

           2018                   Introduction to Buddhism

           2019                   Buddhism: Art, History and Theory

In each course, Ven. Phra Mana  combines Buddhist chantings, short meditation, Dhamma talks, slide presentation and video clips. There are 4-5 sessions in each course. The lectures will include Ven. Phra Mana’s research trips (2007 - present) to India, South-East Asia, Europe and Egypt, and discussions with archaeologists, art historians and other specialists. Students will have the opportunity to view and discuss some authentic artefacts from the Sunnataram Forest Monastery collection. 

At the end of each course, students are invited to visit the monastery, participating in food offering to monks, sitting meditation, listening Dhamma talk and view the outdoor exhibition.