01/02/2026
February Highlights at Colchester Buddhist Centre
As we move into the winter month of February there are a number of opportunities to engage with the Centre.
On Friday 6th February our Young People's Group will be exploring meditation and the Arts, with group members sharing their own creative practices.
On the evening of Friday 13th February Sujayini and Saddhavasita will be holding a "Curry and non-Alcoholic drink" fundraiser for Tiratnaloka, the women's retreat centre in Ware in Hertfordshire.
And on Sunday 15th February Candraprabha will be leading our first festival day of the year as we celebrate Parinirvana Day with a chance to be part of a continuous dawn to dusk recital of the Mahāparinibbhāna Sutta - The Great Passing (The Final Days of the Buddha).
Silanatha will also be leading another one of his popular Meditation Days on Sunday 1st March.
Parinirvana Day - Sunday 15th February
Parinirvana Day is an opportunity to reflect not only on the nature of the Buddha’s life and example but also on his teachings around death, gratitude and connection and on our own experiences of the death of those we know.
Come along for meditation, talks, discussion and ritual. We will also celebrate and remember, within the context of a ritual, those we know who have died in the past year. Please do bring a picture of anyone whose death you’d like to mark in this way or simply bring their name and the date they died to be read out aloud.
Alongside the activities of the day we will, as last year, be offering the opportunity to take part in a ritual continous reading of the Mahaparinibbana Sutta all day from dawn until dusk in our small shrine room. This significant and moving sutta contains a very detailed account of the last few months of the Buddha's earthly life. If you would like to sign up to read for a 30 minute slot of time between 7.15am and 5.15pm then please contact Sthiranaga who will arrange for you to be added to the programme at a time suitable for you.
Enjoy a Curry Night and raise money for Tiratnaloka
Friday 13th February
Following their highly successful Jacket Potato and Chilli Lunch on Saturday 30th January, Sujayini and Saddhavasita are arranging a Curry and non-Alcoholic drink evening on Friday 13th February at 7.00pm.
Meditation Day - Sunday 1st March
Another popular day of deepening practice with Silanatha. The day will be in silence, apart from any necessary leading of the meditations and will be suitable for anyone who is familiar with our foundational practices of Mindfulness of Breathing and Mettā Bhāvanā.
It is recommended that you come for the whole of the day, although you can just do either the morning or afternoon sessions.
The Lotus goes digital!
Those of you who attend the Centre will be familiar with our printed publication "The Lotus", lovingly created by Kendal with input from many members of the sangha. We're delighted to announce that all copies of The Lotus are now available in pdf format from our website. If you missed out on picking up a printed copy and want to know more about some of Order Members, the practice of Going for Refuge or to complete a Dharma themed crossword, head to The Lotus page on our website!
Young People's Group
Friday 6th February
7.00pm - 9.30pm
The next Young People's Group evening will explore. how meditation and the arts can support and inspire us. Through practice and creative expression, we hope to open space for reflection and connection. Several of the group will share their own artistic practices, offering us a glimpse into how their practice is expressed in a creative way.
"Not About Being Good"
Our Saturday Sangha Morning series continues
Saturdays
10.30am - 1.00pm
This Sangha Morning series is exploring how to act in ways that nourish our lives and contribute to the lives of those around us.
Thursday Practice Night series
"Start the Year with a Spiritual Detox"
Thursdays
7.00pm - 9:30pm
This Thursday series is exploring the 3 Visuddhis. The purification of our ethics, of our minds and of our views about reality, which are found in such texts as the Visudhimagga, the path of purification.
Regular Classes in February
Newcomers Night Wednesdays
7.00pm - 9:00pm
If you are new to Buddhism or would like to learn the buddhist meditations that we teach here at the Buddhist Centre, then Wednesday nights offer a warm and friendly environment for those with no experience. More details of the class can be found here.
Thursday Practice evening
7.00pm - 9:30pm
For those with experience of our practices who want to take their practice deeper. The Thursday Practice Team's current series explore "The Three Visuddhis" bringing an approach of purification to our practice and lives. More details of the class and programme can be found here.
Saturday Sangha morning
10.30am - 1:00pm
Join the ever popular Saturday morning team as they continue to explore ethics with the help the book "Not About Being Good" by Subadramati. Each week stands alone and all are welcome. More details of the class and programme can be found here.
Online Classes
We also run meditation classes every morning at 7am (for experienced meditators) and 8.30am (for newcomers and experienced meditators and a weekly Dharma cafe.
We hope to see you soon!
