Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to the questions we are asked most often. If yours isn’t among them, feel free to get in touch.

Starting to Meditate

What does the free meditation course involve, and how does it work?

It is a six-week course with personal, one-on-one guidance. You begin with an introductory conversation, without any obligation, about your experience so far, your questions, and meditation on buddho. You are welcome to bring someone along. If the method appeals to you, we give you a mala (string of meditation beads) as a gift and you start practicing at home, with at least weekly contact with your teacher.

What does it cost?

Nothing. The guidance is free and will stay that way. We offer it out of gratitude for what this meditation has given us. In this we follow the old tradition of dāna (generosity): the teaching is given freely, and anyone who wishes to give something back does so voluntarily and according to their means.

How much time does it take each day?

Twenty minutes. That is the one “requirement” we have: that you give the method an honest chance by meditating every day for six weeks. Only then do you really get to know it and see what it does for you.

Can I do it remotely, or do I need to visit?

Either works. We have guided people all over the world for many years, online, by email or video call. If you would rather come in person, you are welcome in Driebergen or at our meditation room in De Bilt, both near Utrecht in the Netherlands. For the introductory conversation we prefer to meet in person, but that too can be done online.

What happens after the six weeks?

The guidance continues for as long as you want it, still on a donation basis. How often you are in touch is then up to you, because in the end you are the one who practices. You remain welcome to ask questions, to visit, and to join the monthly group meditations and our retreats (currently held only in the Netherlands), and most people do come back regularly. If you decide to stop after the course, that is fine too.

Do I need any experience?

No. Whether you have never meditated or have done so for years, the introductory conversation is where we find out where you stand. We tailor the guidance to that.

Do I have to be a Buddhist?

Certainly not. Ahba is very clear about this himself. The point is not that Buddhism is better than Christianity or Islam. Meditation on buddho develops a clear and clean mind, and everyone is welcome to that, whatever their background.

Can I meditate on a chair, or with a physical limitation?

Yes. You don’t have to sit on the floor. It is best not to lean back against the chair or a wall, though, because that makes dullness and drowsiness more likely. If you have a physical limitation, we will find a posture that works for you together.

Can I combine this with other forms of meditation, mindfulness, or yoga?

At first, yes, while you find out whether this method suits you. In the longer run, Ahba strongly advises against practicing other meditation systems alongside it. Eating with your left hand works, eating with your right hand works, but putting both hands in your mouth at once does not. Choose one system, and after long practice you will know whether it works. Yoga for relaxation is no problem, and mindfulness in the sense of sati (conscious attention) is an essential part of the practice itself.

Is meditation a substitute for therapy?

No. Meditation does not replace treatment. If you are dealing with psychological difficulties, talk to your doctor or therapist before you begin. Please mention it in the introductory conversation as well, so we can take it into account in the guidance.

Still unsure? The introductory conversation commits you to nothing, and afterward you decide for yourself whether to begin.

Free Meditation Course

Learning More

What is meditation, and why would I do it?

Meditation is training the mind. You bring it to rest, so that you see more and more clearly how your mind works. A good place to start is What is Meditation?. In Short Message from Ahba about Meditation Ahba explains in a few minutes why it matters, and A Short Demonstration of Buddho Meditation lets you hear what the practice sounds like.

How do I keep up a daily practice?

Start with our 7 Practical Meditation Tips, then read Daily Meditation: How to Keep It Up. What helps most is staying in touch with your teacher. You are always welcome to contact us for that.

How does samatha relate to vipassanā?

Vipassanā (insight) needs a mind that has come to rest, and that rest is developed through samatha (concentration meditation). Without sufficient samādhi (concentration), genuine insight is not possible. That is why samatha comes first for us. Read more in Samatha Meditation: Foundation for Insight and What is Vipassana?. Mahasi Sayadaw, to whom many vipassanā teachers trace their lineage, also held that concentration is necessary for real insight.

I’ve been meditating for a while. Where can I go deeper?

At a certain point it is mostly a matter of meditating patiently, without longing for insight. Ahba keeps returning to the same set of mental qualities, which you will find in Saddhā, Viriya, Sati, Samādhi, Paññā, Khanti and Mettā. Every practitioner sooner or later meets The 5 Hindrances that Hinder Progress in Meditation. Other teachers teach meditation on buddho as well, and Ajahn Thate on Buddho in particular is full of practical advice.

Where do I start if I want to learn more about the Buddha?

With The Life of the Buddha. In The Nine Qualities of the Buddha you can read what makes him unique. These are also the qualities you turn to when you meditate on buddho. The best full biography, in our view, is The Life of the Buddha by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli.

Where do I start with Buddhism, and where can I study further?

Begin with What is Buddhism?, then move on to The Four Noble Truths: Essence of the Dhamma. If you prefer to watch, the video series A Short Introduction to Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi is a good choice. To go further, see our 16 Recommended Books on Buddhism and Meditation or our online library.

About the Foundation

Who teaches, and in which tradition?

Guidance is given by Herman Schreuder. He has practiced under Ahba since 1983 and was appointed a meditation teacher by him in 1998. Ahba is a Burmese monk, now abbot of a large monastery in northern Thailand, who teaches samatha meditation on buddho. Little about him can be found online, because for years he deliberately stayed out of sight, but you can hear him in Ahba Speaks About Meditation, Mindfulness and Patience.

Read more about our teachers.

How is the foundation funded?

Only through voluntary donations. There is no fixed fee, so that people with little money also have access to the meditation. The board is unpaid, the foundation has no employees, and there are no commercial intentions. The policy plan and the annual financial report are available on the page The Buddho Foundation.

Is the foundation a registered charity, and are donations tax-deductible?

The Buddho Foundation has ANBI status, the Dutch designation for a public benefit organization. For Dutch taxpayers, periodic donations are therefore tax-deductible under certain conditions. If you would like to formalize a periodic donation or have a question about giving, please get in touch.

You can give through our donation page.

What is your position on abuse within Buddhism?

We speak out clearly against every form of abuse, and against any sexual contact between teacher and student. Moral conduct lies at the foundation of the path, and the relationship between teacher and student must be completely safe. We wrote about this in Sexual Abuse by Buddhist Teachers and The Teacher-Disciple Relationship Must be 100% Safe. Our teachers follow an ethical code, which you can read on the teachers page.

Practical

How can I stay up to date?

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How do I get in touch?

Through our contact page. If your question isn’t on this list, please ask it. We will answer it and see whether it belongs here.

What do you do with my personal data?

We use your data only for the purpose you give it to us, such as contact about the course or sending you the blog. You can read exactly how we handle it in our privacy policy. We do not share the details from the contact form with third parties. We run the newsletter ourselves, on our own server.