Colchester Buddhist Centre

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Colchester Buddhist Centre

Colchester Buddhist Centre is at the heart of a thriving, friendly community of practicing Buddhists.

We run regular free meditation classes, events, retreats, festivals and study groups. All of our main meditation and Buddhism classes are free of charge and there is no need to book. Just log in via the Zoom details on the website, or come to the Buddhist Centre. All of the up to date information about our classes can be found on our website:

https://colchesterbuddhistcentre.com/classes

06/09/2026

Padmasambhava Day

Sunday 13 September 10:30am – 4:30pm

Padmasambhava, the great ta***ic master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century, has long been surrounded by wonder, myth, and luminous stories. His life continues to inspire practitioners with its blend of magic, mystery, and uncompromising compassion.

This special day will focus on “The Ta***ic Symbolism of the Khatvanga”, the ritual staff associated with Padmasambhava and the Dakini.

Together we’ll explore the meaning, imagery, and significance of the Khatvanga, drawing on stories from Padmasambhava’s life and lineage.

You are invited to bring musical instruments to enrich the ritual atmosphere.

See our website for more info

www.colchesterbuddhistcentre.com/events/padmasambhava-day-2026

03/09/2026

Thursday evening class becomes Dharma Night

We are changing the name of our Thursday evening class to Dharma Night.

This reflects that the class now focuses on many aspects of our Dharma life, rather than just our system of practice.

The class is open to anyone who knows the two meditation practices and has some knowledge of Buddhism, and who wants to deepen their understanding and practice of the Buddhist path. We will have talks, meditation and opportunities to explore our understanding of the teaching, as well as a monthly full moon Puja.

To start with, we will be looking at the 11 skilful mental events which Sangharaksh*ta introduces in his book Know Your Mind. These are a fundamental exploration of what an ethical and creative mind would be like. We will of course be looking at what these mental events are, how to recognise them and how to develop them.

In the coming weeks we are wanting to pilot an Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation course to run alongside Dharma Night. So if you know of anyone who may be interested, please let them know. More details will be on the website soon.

Full details of the programme are available on our website.

28/08/2026

Saṅgha Retreat - Four Gifts Revisited

Friday 9 October – Sunday 11 October at Vajrasana Retreat Centre in Suffolk

Fifty years ago, Sangharaksh*ta stood in Brighton's Royal Pavilion and gave four lectures that would shape a movement: A Method of Personal Development, A Vision of Human Existence, The Nucleus of a New Society, and A Blueprint for a New World. Inspired by his poem The Four Gifts, the talks asked a bold question — what could Buddhist teachings mean for us, living our lives in the 20th-century western world, and how could our movement, Triratna, in turn shape the world around us?

Fifty years on, in 2026, we're asking it again. What do we make of that vision now, and how does it encourage us to live our lives today?

Join our president, Sujana, and a team of Order Members from Colchester to explore these themes together through talks, discussion, meditation and ritual

www.colchesterbuddhistcentre.com/events/sangha-retreat---four-gifts-revisited

13/08/2026

Eclipse fun at the Wednesday drop in class!

06/08/2026

Meditation Day
Sunday 9 August 10:30am – 4:30pm

The day will be led by Silanatha and will be focused on the Satipatthana practice. (The Four Establishments of Mindfulness)

•Mindfulness of the body
•Mindfulness of feelings
•Mindfulness of the mind
•Mindfulness of Dhammas

There will be an introduction to each stage of the practice so it will be suitable for anyone who has not had previous experience of this practice.

The day will be held in silence, as a means of deepening and continuing our practice outside of the shrine room.

In order to keep our activity, and hence distractions, to a minimum please just bring your own lunch, rather than food to share.

05/08/2026

Men’s gathering!

19/07/2026

Dharma Day - Sunday 26th July
10:30am - 4:30pm

Led by Saddhavasita

Following on from Buddha Day, which looked at the Buddha's enlightenment and his decision to teach the Dharma, we will be looking at the Buddha's first sermon when he turned the wheel of the Dharma.

The day will consist of meditating together, a talk on the Buddha's first teaching, groups, discussion, walking meditation, and ending the day with a ritual.

Please bring a vegetarian or vegan lunch to share.
Please label food clearly for people with allergies.

28/06/2026

Great Teachers of the Past and Present

New Series for Thursday Practice Nights

Thursdays from 2nd July to 27th August
7pm - 9pm

Wonderous Stories Triratna's Tree of Refuge and Respect is a visual cosmic chart representing the Three Jewels of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha) and serves as a symbolic map of the entire Buddhist tradition as it has been presented to us by Triratna's founder, Sangharaksh*ta.

It has the Buddha Shakyamuni at its centre, the Dharma represented by various texts throughout time, and the Sangha represented by archetypal figures, historical disciples and teachers of the past and present from various traditions (Indian, Tibetan,
Chinese, and Japanese). In this series, we'll be introducing some of the teachers from the past and present - figures whose lives and works profoundly inspired and influenced Sangharaksh*ta in his understanding of Buddhism.

Hopefully they will inspire you too!
Led by the Thursday team and guests

Image copyright Aloka

13/06/2026

Next Great Gathering; open to all men!
16-18th October at Padmaloka.

Address

2 Portland Road
Colchester
CO27EH

Website

https://www.colchesterbuddhistcentre.com/

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