We have just held our first online retreat. It was a great success for those for whom it was their first retreat and for those that have been to many Sangha retreats. Obviously, some elements of a physical retreat are missing. But the online retreat gave many advantages as you… Read More »Lockdown doesn’t stop us!
I was looking forward to the Centre opening its doors at the beginning of July. The government had said with the continued reduction in the infection rate, then places of worship can open. However, with the 2-metre distancing in place, we can only allow 8 people into the Centre. With… Read More »Go beyond the waiting
We want to highlight the London Buddhist Centre’s People of Colour gatherings online every Sunday from 4pm. You can join the mailing list to keep up with all the the LBC’s events and retreats for people of African, Asian or mixed heritage by following this link And you will need to… Read More »People of Colour – weekly online gathering
As I am sure you are aware, the UK has been in ‘lock-down’ for 10 weeks now. For some of us that means not being able to go to work, not going out, staying in one place, maybe spending far more time on your own or with only a few… Read More »‘Retreat’ in lockdown
It doesn’t appear that the Buddha had to deal with a pandemic of the kind we are currently experiencing. 2,500 years ago the world was a much smaller place with a much smaller world population of around 30 million, half the current population of the UK. So I would imagine… Read More »The Buddha, illness and practice
Following yesterday’s briefing by the Prime Minister, we have decided to close the Ipswich Buddhist Centre to the public, with immediate effect, until at least end of April. We will of course update you as more government advice is given. If you are currently booked on a course which falls during this initial closure… Read More »Coronavirus Buddhism Ipswich
Recently we celebrated Parinirvana day at the Centre. It is one of our main festivals and many people attended filling the Centre with life and energy. It seems strange to celebrate the death of the founder of your religion but, as we learned over the course of the day, we… Read More »Chairman’s Message – March
I have just returned from the European Chairs’ convention at Adhisthana. This is a twice yearly event where over 50 chairs of Centres around Europe come together to share ideas and discuss Centre related matters. This meeting was special in that we set the priorities for the next 3 to… Read More »Contexts for Intensity
Going on retreat can be a life changing event, even if it is only for a weekend. Last weekend we held our winter Sangha retreat in the beautiful Vajrasana. This retreat was a little special as we managed to have Paramananda lead the retreat. Paramananda is well known for his… Read More »Sangha Retreat
It is now December, the time of the winter festival. A festival that has been appropriated by many religions but comes from simpler, ancient times to mark the turning point from long winter nights to the promise of long summer days to come. Mostly, these days, we seem to mark… Read More »Chairman’s message
