The Sakya Buddhist Centre in Bristol runs a number of classes which are open to anyone with an interest in Buddhism and meditation. Some classes are held in-person at the Centre, others are online via Zoom.
Latest news – Our Tuesday classes will start at the earlier time of 7.30pm (was 8.00pm) from 12 November.
Day |
Time |
Class/Course |
Suggested donation |
| Mondays | 8-9pm | Mind training (Lojong) – online | £5 |
| Tuesdays | 7.30-8.30pm | Discover Buddhism & meditation – at the Centre | £5 |
| Wednesdays | 10.30-11.30am | Meditation class – at the Centre | £5 |
| Thursdays | 7-8pm | Tibetan language class – online | £5 |
| Saturdays | 10.30 – 11.30am | Discover Buddhism & meditation – at the Centre | £5 |
| Sundays | 10.30 – 11.30am | Family Buddhist meditation– at the Centre | £5 |
You may also like to visit our other local group in Exeter.
Classes held at the Centre:
Discover Buddhism and Meditation
- Tuesday 7.30pm-8.30pm
- Saturday 10:30am-11:30am
These classes offer and introduction to meditation and Buddhism. All classes are open to everyone and no experience is needed. There is no need to book and you can come along to as many sessions as you wish. There is no charge for these sessions but we do encourage donations, which help us to continue the activities of the Centre. A suggested amount is £5 but it’s entirely up to you. You can donate here.
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. Classes are free, donations are welcome.
Family Buddhist Meditation
- Sundays 10.30-11.30am
These are short Buddhist meditation sessions designed for families with children of all ages. They will be led by Aurielle, mum of two. The classes will comprise a short meditation followed by a Buddhist story and craft activity. All ages are welcome, but grown ups are required to stay with their children.
As a mum and practicing Buddhist, I realise how challenging it can be for busy parents to make space for meditation. I feel that Buddhism has a lot to offer children and I am very interested in exploring ways to make it accessible and engaging for young people. These sessions are designed to give both parents/carers and children/young people an opportunity to practice meditation and learn about Buddhism, in a friendly and relaxed environment. Classes are free but donations are welcome.
Sessions will run every Sunday except where it clashes with certain teaching dates of Lama Jampa’s, which for the next year are confirmed as – 15th Dec, 19th Jan, 9th Feb, 8th and 29th June, 24th and 31st Aug, 12th Oct, 16th Nov, 14th Dec. However, if you did turn up on one of these days, you would be welcome to sit and observe the puja.
Feel free to call or message Aurielle on 07792792622 if you have any questions or to check if a session is running.
Online sessions
The Buddhist path
We do, from time to time, run short courses on the foundational teachings of Buddhism. You can keep up to date by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Mind Training (Lojong) – online class
- 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 Buddhist 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@googlemail.com for the Zoom link and also the lineage prayer and structure of the practice.
Tibetan Language Classes
The Centre runs classical Tibetan language classes for those wishing to be able to read and understand Tibetan Buddhist texts.
- Thursdays 7-8pm (These courses run in blocks – please email dan.hore@dechen.org to ask about the next available dates)
Study groups / re-teach sessions
Study groups and re-teach sessions 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
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 sometimes follow at some of our classes.