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.
Day |
Time |
Class/Course |
Suggested donation |
| Mondays | 8-9pm | 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 Bristol Centre:
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.
Discover Buddhism and Meditation
- Tuesday 7.30pm-8.30pm
- Saturday 10:30am-11:30am
These classes offer an introduction to meditation and Buddhism – all are welcome:
This course covers a series of reflections called the Four Thoughts, or The Four Common Foundations. This popular meditation system examines the basic parameters of our life, from birth to death and to the next life. Through reflection on these we develop inner renunciation, not a grand gesture but a genuine turning towards the things in this life that truly matter, and letting go of the things that will not serve us. The course will be held by Simon, Dan, Deborah and Aurielle, students of Lama Jampa Thaye.
It will be based on a text by our Buddhist teacher, Lama Jampa Thaye, which offers an accessible and practical account of the Buddhist Path. Lama Jampa’s account traces Buddhism from its origins to the present day, and explains in a clear and direct way the essential teachings of Buddhism, starting with ‘taking refuge’ in the Three Jewels of Buddha, dharma and sangha, and the four contemplations that create a grounding for the Buddhist path to freedom from our current state of suffering.
Lama Jampa then provides a profound step-by-step introduction to the meditations of the Mahayana, by which one can develop loving kindness and compassion, motivated by Bodhicitta – the altruistic resolve to obtain the state of a Buddha for the benefit of beings.
This lucid account concludes with an insightful explanation of the purpose and method of entry to the Vajrayana -the tantric teachings of the Buddha- by which it is possible to attain the state of a Buddha in this very lifetime.
This precise and accessible introduction succinctly illuminates the essence of the Buddhist path, an invaluable reference for those wishing to obtain an overview of the Buddhist path or to deepen their understanding of it. The course will be held by Adrian, Ed, Emma and Rachel, students of Lama Jampa Thaye.
All are welcome to any of our classes and no previous experience of meditation or Buddhism is needed. There is no need to book, you can drop in to any class and you are not required to attend every session. Classes are free, though donations for the upkeep of the Centre are welcome. A suggested amount is £5 but it’s entirely up to you. You can donate here.
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. Please find more information here.
Online sessions
Lojong – online class
- Mondays 8-9pm
On Monday evenings at 8.00pm there will be a practice session for Lojong, or Mind Training. This 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. The next course will run for 8-10 weeks and will cover how to read and pronounce the most commonly used form of the Tibetan writing system, the complex ‘üchen’ script. The classes will last up to one hour, with homework between the sessions. There is a suggested donation to the Centre of £5 per class.
- Thursdays 7-8pm from 12th March please email dan.hore@dechen.org to express an interest.
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
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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.