Monk shares lessons of Buddhism at Brailes Primary

A SENSE of peace moved through the hall of Brailes Primary School this week as a Buddhist monk led teachings on meditation.

Venerable Manapo spent the afternoon there on Tuesday when he led an assembly and spoke to several classes on the teachings of Buddhism.

Manapo said: “We always do some meditations with a short period of mindfulness and breathing. There’s a noticeable change in the atmosphere. “The atmosphere is charged with a sort of peace. I often say you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate.”

Manapo asked the children if they knew how to be happy, and spoke of the three basic teachings of Buddhism: generosity, not harming creatures, and meditation.

He added: “We’ll never truly be happy if we continuously want things in life. I live a very simple life. I have very few possessions. Happiness is about what’s going on inside as opposed to what you own.”

Christian Hilton, executive head teacher of Shipston, Brailes and Acorns primary schools, said bringing Manapo to the schools helps in the teaching of Buddhism within Religious Education curriculum.

Mr Hilton said: “It’s also important our children are exposed to a multitude of faiths. It’s to deepen their learning, and because when you get an expert it deepens their learning. We’ll be looking to do this with other religions and world faiths too.”

Manapo visits Warwickshire area schools regularly, and visited Acorns Primary School in Long Compton on Wednesday.

Manapo was born into a non-religious household and attended Kineton Primary School, and grew up playing football at the Kineton Sports and Social Club. He’s spent the last 19 years serving at the Forest Hermitage Monastery in Lower Fulbrook, near Barford, with the exception of 16-months in Thailand.