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

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

A Sustainable Buddhist Centre in the Heart of York

York Buddhist Centre

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

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

Wednesday Lunchtime Meditation

Wednesday Lunchtime Meditation

Wednesday 8 October 12pm – 12:30pm

Join us on any Wednesday from 03/09/2025 at 12 noon for meditation until 12.30 pm
The session is open to regular meditators over 18.
Doors open at 11.45 for a 12.00 noon prompt start. Please arrive in good time.

Please note: this meditation session is silent with just a bell at the start and finish so is not suitable for people who have not meditated before (please come to our Saturday or Thursday morning sessions if you wish to learn meditation)

Wed PRACTICE Night: <br> Celebrating Padmasambhava

Wed PRACTICE Night:
Celebrating Padmasambhava

Wednesday 8 October 7pm – 9:15pm

Padmasambhava, also known as ‘Guru Rimpoche’, is celebrated each year
at this time. He’s known as ‘the tamer of demons’ in Tibet, and he is the
Enlightened being who brought Buddhism fully to that remote country.
He’s part-mythical and part-real - an outcast prince, a magician, an
astronomer, a shaman, and a semi-legendary Tantric master.
Join us this evening to celebrate Padmasambhava and to invite his
Awakened Wisdom into our lives. There will be a short talk about his life
and a puja with mantras.

Open to all over 18 - You don’t need to be a Buddhist or intend to be one No need to book - just turn up when you can

An Introduction to Meditation

An Introduction to Meditation

Find More Peace in Your Life
Have you noticed how busy your mind is?
For most people, thoughts come and go in a torrent. Busy minds use up energy and constantly propel us from one difficult mental state to another. Regular meditation practice helps us to deal more easily with whatever life throws at us
day by day. It also helps us to be kinder and more positive towards ourselves and others

In this five-week course you will learn three meditations: Mindfulness of the Body, Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving-Kindness Meditation Everyone over 18 is welcome (you don't have to be a Buddhist or wish to become one).

Nearly Full
<b> Meditation Day Retreat: <br>Being with Being </b> <br>The Buddha’s Teaching to Bahiya

Meditation Day Retreat:
Being with Being

The Buddha’s Teaching to Bahiya

Sunday 16 November 10:30am – 4:30pm

2,500 years ago the Buddha gave a pithy teaching to a man called Bahiya who had travelled across India to find him.
The Buddha said to Bahiya, ‘In the seen only the seen; in the heard only the heard; in the cognised only the cognised; in the known only the known.’ 
“That’s how you should train. When you have trained in this way, you won’t be ‘with that’. When you’re not ‘with that’, you won’t be ‘in that’. When you’re not ‘in that’, you won’t be in this world or the world beyond or between the two. Just this is the end of suffering.”
Bahiya, who had practised deeply for many years became Enlightened on the spot.

During this Day Retreat Shakyapada will be exploring Awareness once again and how it relates to the the six senses of hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling and thinking. There will be short talks, discussions and a number of guided meditations.

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