| UPDATE: we’re delighted to announce that our classes on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Wednesdays are taking place in-person at the Sakya Buddhist Centre again. We are also offering some online classes via zoom, for those unable to make it to the Centre. Full details below: |
Classes held at the Centre:
Discover Buddhism and Meditation
- Tuesday 8pm-9pm
- Saturday 10:30am-11:30am
These classes offer an introduction to meditation and Buddhism. Sessions last for one hour and are led by experienced students of Lama Jampa Thaye. Each starts with a simple meditation practiced for 20 minutes, followed by a concise talk about a particular aspect of Buddhism. Questions are encouraged and there’s time to chat over tea and coffee afterwards. All are welcome and we are able to accommodate all levels of experience.
Saturdays currently host a rolling 20-week course on Buddhist meditation and philosophy. Tuesdays’ content changes regularly with updates published on Facebook.
There is no charge for these sessions but we do encourage donations, which help us to continue the acivities of the Centre. A suggested amount is £5 (£3) but it’s entirely up to you. You can donate here: https://www.sakyabristol.org/donations/.
Weekly Meditation
- Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am
This weekly meditation class is open to all – those new to meditation or those who would like to practice together in the shrine room at the Sakya Buddhist Centre. The sessions will begin with full instructions, with time at the end for refreshments.
Please email us if you plan to attend a class: bristol@dechen.org (we’re continuing to follow the government guidelines for places of worship during the Covid-19 pandemic – if you would like further info on the measures in place, please contact us).
Online classes via Zoom:
“Tasting Birth and Death” – a new four-week online course
- Starting Weds 21st July 2021, 8-9pm
To give people more opportunities to connect with Buddhism, we’ll be running some online courses at Sakya Buddhist Centre. These will be on Wednesdays from 8-9pm and the first course will be “Tasting Birth and Death”: reflections on the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Buddhist Practice. These four meditations on precious human life, impermanance, karma and suffering awaken us to the immense opportunity we have in our lives to achieve happiness and freedom from suffering.
During the session, we’ll start with tranquility meditation, with full instructions, then watch a short video by Lama Jampa on each topic. This will be followed by reflection and discussion. The sessions are open to everyone, (recommended age is 12 and up if you want to bring along the family!).
To attend the sessions please email bristol@dechen.org for the Zoom link.
There is no charge for these sessions but we do encourage donations, which help us to maintain the Sakya Buddhist Centre and its activities. A suggested amount is £5 (£3 concessions) but anything you feel able to offer is welcome. You can donate online here.
Mind Training (Lojong)
- Mondays 8-9pm
On Monday evenings at 8.00pm there will be a practice session for Lojong, or Mind Training. Mind training is a practice which is accessible to all practitioners whether new or experienced. It is a method to undermine our habitual selfishness and start to prioritise others, we can use it right now as all it needs is our self-clinging and disturbing emotions. The sessions will be the actual Lojong practice from taking refuge, guru yoga, generating loving kindness and compassion, exchanging oneself with others and conclusion. It is not a study or discussion group. Explanation of the practice will be given. To attend the session please email lesley.whittaker80@gmail.com for the Zoom link and also the lineage prayer and structure of the practice.
To help anyone who has been attending classes or who would like to find out more about buddhism here are some videos by our Buddhist teacher, Lama Jampa Thaye. These videos illustrate a series of twenty topics, which we follow at some of our classes.
These classes are open to everyone.
Day |
Time |
Class/Course |
Suggested donation / concession |
| Mondays | 8-9pm | Mind Training (Lojong) – online | £5/3 |
| Tuesdays | 8-9pm | Discover Buddhism – at the Centre | £5/3 |
| Wednesdays | 10.30-11.30am | Meditation class – at the Centre | £5/3 |
| Wednesdays | 8-9pm | Discover Buddhism – online | £5/3 |
| Saturdays | 10.30 – 11.30am | Discover Buddhism – at the Centre | £5/3 |
You may also like to visit one of our other groups in: Bath | Barnstaple | Clifton | Exeter |
Middle Way Courses
These short courses are based on individual Buddhist texts and take place over 4 – 6 weeks. The Middle Way courses are ideal for those who have been attending the introductory classes and wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the dharma. For details of our latest courses, please contact bristol@dechen.org or view forthcoming events
Tibetan Language Classes
The Centre runs classical Tibetan language classes for those wishing to be able to read and understand Tibetan Buddhist texts. These classes are intended for those who are new to the Tibetan language and who wish to master the fundamental skills of the alphabet and pronunciation. This is also an opportunity to learn some vocabulary including basic dharma terms. You can apply to join these classes by emailing the Centre: bristol@dechen.org.
Study Groups
Study groups provide the opportunity to explore and discuss texts taught by Lama Jampa Thaye and other visiting lamas, going into more detail on topics covered in the Introduction to Buddhism classes.
For further info on any of our classes, contact us at bristol@dechen.org or visit the calendar