Come Alive to Peace and Contentment

Meditation and Buddhism for Everyone in the Heart of York

Classes and Eventsor Day Retreat with Taravandanaor Intro to Buddhism - Daytime Courseor Introduction to Meditation Evening 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. 'to become a Buddhist' we are just very happy for you to join us and enjoy the benefits of what we teach.

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

Teachers of Enlightenment - A Day Retreat with Taravandana

Sunday 21 April 10:30am – 4pm

The Triratna Refuge Tree is a profoundly important and powerful image in Triratna practice, representing as it does our spiritual lineage, stretching back from Sangharakshita and his teachers-of-the-present through 2,500 years of Dharma practice to the historical Buddha himself. It includes teachers-of-the-past, mythical Bodhisattvas, arhants, the Buddha-of-past-times and the Buddha-of-future-times. It signifies in one vibrant illustration how our practice today in the 21st Century came to be and how much we owe to all the practitioners of the past who have, generation by generation, handed down the teachings that we so value today.

All over 18 are welcome. Please bring vegan food to share for lunch.

An Introduction to Meditation

Tuesdays 7pm – 9:15pm for 5 weeks starting 30 April

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 four-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).

Spring Sangha Retreat: The Three Myths of the Spiritual Life

Friday 17 May – Monday 20 May

Hurry Bookings close on 1st May
Our Spring Sangha Retreat this year will be held at Adhisthana in Hereford, when we will be exploring the Three Myths of self-development, self-surrender and self-discovery together with talks, meditation, discussions and ritual. All members of the York and Scarborough sanghas are welcome on this very special retreat which will be led by Mahasraddha, Khemasuri and Taravandana.

You may book a place now with a deposit of £50 and pay the balance in April. Open to all in the York and Scarborough sanghas

Going Deeper - What does it mean to become a mitra?

Sunday 9 June 10am – 1pm

This morning, led by Shakyapada, is an opportunity to consider taking your practice deeper by becoming a mitra.

We'll be looking at what is involved and what it means to become a mitra: how you ask to be a mitra, the three undertakings, the ceremony itself, where you need to be in your practice, and how becoming a mitra opens up the door to three further years of the mitra study course and other special retreats at Triratna retreat centres.

All over 18 welcome. Booking is essential. (There is no booking fee)

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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.