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 Eight Verses to Train Your Mind: Eight Thursdays 11.00 am to 1.15pm from 14th Augustor Introduction to Buddhism Course - Book now for September

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

Special Event: <br> Woodland Puja and Meditation

Special Event:
Woodland Puja and Meditation

Friday 29 August 7pm – 9pm

This is the third of our Summer Woodland Meditation and Puja Evenings amongst the trees in Rowntree Park.

Tonight, we will be performing a Green Puja together. This is a poetical devotional practice which invites us to connect with something much greater than ourselves - in this case the astounding natural world which we so often can take for granted.

Please also bring a torch as it will be dark when we finish plus something to sit on - there are wooden logs but a cushion would make them more comfortable - something natural to offer to the shrine (perhaps a flower, an acorn or a fir cone) and a drink for the break.

Open to all over 18 - You don’t need to be a Buddhist or intend to be one. Booking is essential, so that we can contact you with alternative arrangements in the event of inclement weather.

Wednesday Lunchtime Meditation

Wednesday 3 September 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)

<b>Autumn Sangha Retreat</b> <br>Kshitigarbha - Rescuing beings from from the hell realms <br>

Autumn Sangha Retreat
Kshitigarbha - Rescuing beings from from the hell realms

Friday 3 October – Sunday 5 October

Join us on our Autumn Sangha Retreat for a long weekend of living, meditating and practising together in near-perfect conditions. Mahasraddha and Shakyapada will be leading this retreat which will feature the Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha.

Open to all over 18 who are part of the York or Scarborough sanghas. Our new retreat venue - Barmoor stands in a quiet location on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors near Hutton-le-Hole.

Fully Booked

<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 19 October 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.

See More Buddhism<br>Classes See More Meditation 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.