Finding Peace in a Turbulent World

Meditation and Buddhism for Everyone in the Heart of York

Classes and Events or Start the Weekend Well - Saturday Morning Meditation from 10.30 every weekor Thursday Daytime Class - Exploring Buddhist Practice and Meditation - Join anytimeor DAYTIME Introduction to Buddhism Course

Change Your Life - Change the World

Our experience of the world is forever changing. Things can go well, and this makes us happy, joyful and content. But sometimes things can go less well and this can lead to sadness, disappointment, frustration and even anger. The Buddha called these ups and downs of life The Worldly Winds. And he taught a way of dealing with them that can lead to true peace and contentment – whatever might befall us in our lives. At York Buddhist Centre we are committed to passing on the Buddha's wisdom in ways that are accessible to people in the West. Our approach is practical and friendly. No one is expected 'to become a Buddhist' we are just very happy for you to join us and enjoy the benefits of what we teach.

This year marks the 100th birthday of our teacher's birth. As the founder and guiding inspiration of Triratna, Sangharakshita’s remarkable contributions to modern Buddhism continue to resonate globally.

Diversity

Recognising that people have different needs, we aim to welcome everyone, regardless of their:
Age, Gender and Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Disability, Race, Colour, National Origin, Ethnic Origin, Religious Belief, Economic Status, Social Status, Parental Status. You can read our Diversity Statement here.

A Friendly, Vibrant Community

We teach meditation and Buddhism at our centre at 17 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX.

This is the hub of our friendly, thriving community: local people who are meditating together and exploring the Buddha's teaching on how to be truly happy in their lives.

York Buddhist Centre is part of the worldwide Triratna Buddhist Community which was founded in 1968 by Sangharakshita, an English Buddhist monk who spent 20 years in India absorbing the depth and breadth of the Buddhist teachings.

Unlike most Buddhist Schools, which practise in a very particular way, we teach from the whole of the Buddhist tradition which means that Triratna Buddhism is particularly accessible and effective for those of us in the West.

A Sustainable Buddhist Centre in the Heart of York

As a spiritual community we take our practice of ethics seriously, and the time has now come to respond to the need to extend this practice to include a global perspective: what we consume and buy has a direct effect on communities across the globe; what we do and how we live now has a direct effect on future generations.
This Centre is therefore committed to the 10 Steps of the Triratna Sustainable Centre Scheme

Open to All

We welcome everyone over 18. You don’t need to be a Buddhist. We are simply happy to share the Buddha’s teachings to help everyone lead happier, more fulfilled lives in this turbulent world.

Access: There is one step up at the front door and we have a ramp for wheelchair access. Please contact us in advance if you have access issues: enquiries@yorkbuddhistcentre.org

We do not charge for any of our classes.* and no one at our centre is paid. However since we have no outside income, we do rely on the generosity of those who use our Centre, for our continued existence. So if you are able to give a donation it would be appreciated very much indeed.

*Except for a small booking fee on some events

Thursday DAYTIME Class: <br>Exploring the Bodhisattva Ideal

Thursday DAYTIME Class:
Exploring the Bodhisattva Ideal

Thursdays 11am – 1:15pm for 5 weeks starting 24 April 2025

From 24th April

Our Thursday classes run throughout the year and are open to all. We meditate together in the first half (usually guided so suitable for all levels of experience) and then, after a tea break, we hear about and discuss a particular teaching from the Buddhist tradition. Usually these teachings are aimed at helping us to live our lives more peacefully in the world. Themes vary from time to time. From Thursday 24th April we will be exploring The Bodhisattva Ideal - a teaching from later Buddhism that encourages us to see our practice as something we do - not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of others too.

This daytime drop-in class is open to everyone over 18. Come when you can, no need to book.

Thursday DAYTIME Class: <br>Exploring Buddhist Practice

Thursday DAYTIME Class:
Exploring Buddhist Practice

Thursday 24 April 11am – 1:15pm

The Buddha discovered the path to true happiness 2,500 years ago and now people in the West are benefitting more and more from his practical advice. Join us for this new daytime class which is exploring practical ways to calm our busy minds and change our lives for the better. Surprisingly, this doesn't mean 'becoming religious' but rather, exploring how we create our own pain and learning different ways of dealing with the difficulties in our lives. Come when you can.

Join anytime! This daytime drop-in class is open to everyone over 18. There is no pressure to become a Buddhist - it is simply intended to help you live your life in a more peaceful and fulfilling way.

<b>Day Retreat</b> <br> North-Eastern Women who have asked for Ordination

Day Retreat
North-Eastern Women who have asked for Ordination

Sunday 27 April 10:30am – 4:30pm

This is a day for Women in Newcastle, Scarborough, York and Leeds who have asked for ordination.

During the day we'll be continuing our exploration of the Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas. During the day we'll be exploring the Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas. This will be a wonderful way to review our practice, to rejoice in ways we have changed and developed and to identify our next steps in taking our practice further?

Open to Women from Newcastle, Leeds, Scarborough, York and the north-east who have asked for ordination.

<b> Spring Sangha Retreat </b><br>Padmasambhava and his teaching on Faith

Spring Sangha Retreat
Padmasambhava and his teaching on Faith

Friday 16 May – Monday 19 May

Join us on our extended Spring Sangha Retreat for a long weekend of living, meditating and practising together in near-perfect conditions. Taravandana and Shakyapada will be leading this retreat and together will be exploring the life of Padmasambhava and studying one of his most important teachings - on sraddha or faith.

Our new retreat venue - Barmoor - is a stunning Arts and Crafts house standing in a quiet location on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors near Hutton-le-Hole. This retreat is open to everyone who is a regular sangha member from York and Scarborough.

See More Buddhism<br>Classes See More Meditation<br>& Yoga See More Introductory<br>Courses See More Retreats

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Explore our Meditation Archive

Over 400 videos are available on demand from our Facebook page (click the video tab) or our YouTube Channel (just search for Triratna York). All the meditations are guided so they are suitable for everyone (even if you have never meditated before). Meditations include Body Awareness, Self-care, Giving and Receiving, Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving-Kindness for ourselves and others. So dive in and enjoy the wonderful benefits of regular meditation.