We offer a range of Buddhist meditation classes and other events, both at the Centre in Exeter and in other towns in Devon. All our courses and events give practical methods to relax, develop inner peace and facilitate a creative response to the challenges of modern life. Everyone can benefit and is very welcome to attend – you do not need to be a Buddhist. We look forward to meeting you!
- Learn to relax and let go of stress and anxiety
- Protect your peace of mind – even in challenging situations
- Improve concentration and focus
- Develop genuine and realistic optimism and positivity
- Everyone can benefit and is welcome to attend – you don’t need to be a Buddhist
- Classes are suitable for both complete beginners and those who already have experience of meditation.
- Sessions begin with a simple guided meditation to help stop distracting thoughts and calm the mind.
- This is followed by a talk on a specific topic relevant to daily life and another guided meditation based on the talk.
- Seating is in chairs but you are welcome to sit on a cushion if you prefer.
- Classes are self contained so you can come to a whole course or just drop in when you can.
- No need to book for the weekly drop-in classes.
Weekend & Special Events
in Exeter
WEEKEND EVENT
Morning Retreat with Louis Bartlett
Saturday 7 March, 10.00am – 12.30pm
@ Kadampa Meditation Centre, Exeter, 55 Union Road, Exeter
Simple breathing meditations and visualisations to still the mind, create inner space and refresh your energy.
To enhance the experience on this course we will keep silence in the breaks between the meditations. Self-service hot drinks and refreshments included.
Session one 10 – 10.40am
Break
Session two 11 – 11.40am
Break
Session three 12 – 12.30pm
> £15 > Students £12 Please book in advance online
(£3 for members - please email us to book)
WEEKEND EVENT
Day course with Gen Chonyi
Sunday 15 March 10.30am - 4.30pm
@ Kadampa Meditation Centre, Exeter, 55 Union Road, Exeter
Buddha taught that the way things appear is completely different to the way in which they actually exist and that this fundamental misapprehension is the root cause of all negativity and all suffering! Intrigued? … Then this event is for you!
This topic is not simply to be considered out of intellectual curiosity - but rather it offers a profound and transformative view of our very existence. Through deep contemplation on the real nature of our self and our world we will gain a special wisdom that will bring immense meaning to our life and through which we will be gradually released from pain and unhappiness. Even our initial insights can be extremely effective in reducing stress and anxiety and giving a new sense of opportunity and hope.
Everyone is welcome to join us for this day of talks and guided meditations.
Vegetarian lunch included - let us know in advance if you would like a vegan or wheat free option.
Session one 10.30 – 11.30am
Tea / coffee break
Session two 12 – 12.50pm
Lunch
Session three 2.20 - 3.10pm
Tea / coffee break
Session four 3.40 - 4.30pm
> £25 > Students £16
> Silver Members £12.50 Monthly Membership
> Gold Members £4 (if you are a Gold Member, please email to book)
WEEKEND EVENT
Morning course
Saturday 28 March, 10.00am – 12.30pm
@ Kadampa Meditation Centre, Exeter, 55 Union Road, Exeter
When things go wrong we quickly feel stressed and exhausted if we respond with anger. Buddha taught effective methods to keep our cool and transform what would normally be challenging circumstances into opportunities to develop our inner peace, mental resilience and patient acceptance.
Continental breakfast served in the break. Everyone welcome - no previous experience needed.
Session one 10 – 10.45am
Break with breakfast!
Session two 11.30am – 12.30pm
> £15 > Students £12 Please book in advance online
(£3 for members - please email us to book)
SPECIAL EVENT
Special weekend event with Gen Chonyi
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April
@ Kadampa Meditation Centre, Exeter, 55 Union Road, Exeter
An empowerment is a special ceremony including visualisations and guided meditations through which we make a heart connection with enlightened beings. In this empowerment we will receive the healing blessings of Medicine Buddha and by maintaining this connection we will gain a special power of body, speech and mind through which we can help ourself and others.
Saturday April 26
10:30 - 11:45 am Talk
12:15 - 1:00 pm Meditation
Lunch & time for quiet contemplation
3:15 - 5:00 pm Empowerment of Medicine Buddha
Sunday April 27
10:30 - 11:30 am Guided retreat session one
12.15 - 1:15 pm Guided retreat session two
Whole Weekend > £40 > students £28
Saturday only > £30 > students £20
> 50% discount for members
Includes lunch on Saturday and refreshments on Sunday.
Drop-in Meditation Classes
in Exeter and Devon
DROP-IN CLASS
Refresh your mind and enjoy a moment of calm with these simple, practical meditations.
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
£3 per class
All welcome – just turn up
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DRDROP-IN CLASS
FINDING HOPE IN A CHALLENGING WORLD Tuesdays 7.30-8.45pm, with Gen Chonyi
Talks and guided meditations to cultivate stillness, let go of stress and find a sense of clarity and hope
February 3, 10, 17, 24
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
£6 per class / students £5
All welcome – just turn up
DROP-IN CLASS
RD&E Hospital Wonford, Chaplaincy Centre, Area O, Level 2
Meditations to relax, unwind and get a fresh perspective in challenging times. Staff, patients and visitors are all very welcome.
March 4, 11, 18, 25
FREE Staff, patients and visitors all welcome – just turn up
DROP-IN CLASS
Guided meditations for harmony, healing and mental strength.
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2
£5 per class / students £4
All welcome – just turn up - you can attend any or all of the sessions
DROP-IN CLASS
Talks and guided meditations to cultivate stillness, let go of stress and find a sense of clarity and hope
February 5, 12, 19
March 5, 12, 19, 26
£6 per class
Just turn up on the day – you are welcome to any or all of the sessions.
In Depth Study Classes
Classes for those who wish to go a little deeper.
Exeter, Pure Land Centre
Enrolled Study Class
Joyful Path of Good Fortune
9.30-12.45pm
Festivals
IN THE UK AND WORLDWIDE
TESTIMONIALS
“Very friendly and welcoming place. Informative and accessible talks and meditations with an emphasis on developing a peaceful and happy mind. No pressure, great food.”
Jan S.
“A weekend retreat here was a lovely and peaceful experience. Pure Land Centre is well named.”
Shakti B.
“I enjoy the classes and the teacher is friendly and easy to talk to. The meditation practices are really helpful and more importantly, work, and so life has improved tremendously. Yes, I will be going again.”
Fox G.
"The centre holds many different sessions in an old house with a large garden and beautiful trees. They run half hour and hour meditations mornings and evenings and a Saturday morning with breakfast session. It’s a wonderful place with peace and thoughtful reflection, with the sound of birdsong accompanying sessions.”
Lesley CB.
“Authentic, genuine and sincere.”
Matthew R.
“Normally we divide the external world into that which we consider to be good or valuable, bad or worthless, or neither. Most of the time these discriminations are incorrect or have little meaning. For example, our habitual way of categorizing people as friends, enemies, and strangers depending on how they make us feel is both incorrect and a great obstacle to developing impartial love for all living beings. Rather than holding so tightly to our discriminations of the external world, it would be much more beneficial if we learned to discriminate between valuable and worthless states of mind.”
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
from the book How to Transform Your Life