Sangha Meditation | Wed 1pm

Sangha Meditation | Wed 1pm

Teaching and Meditation | Wednesdays 1 – 2pm, Discussion 2 – 2.30pm

This is a hybrid (in person and online) event. To book an in person place email info@bristol-buddhist-centre.org

This season we will explore the Just Sitting practice. This meditation corresponds to the aspect of receptivity within the Triratna system of practice.
 
We will be looking at opening to our experience ‘as it is’. What can be discovered about the nature of mind and awareness and what does it mean to ‘simply be with what is’? How can we learn to look beyond the aspects of mind that inhibit this simple seeing?
 
The series will explore the theme through short introductions, experiential exercises and led meditations. The class also offers an opportunity to share and reflect on our meditation experience through an open format ‘conversation’ after the meditation.
 
Open to those who have completed the intro courses and are familiar with Triratna’s basic meditation practices. Get in touch if you need to discuss.

More information and Zoom link available on our ‘events’ page.


Sangha Night | Tuesdays 7:30pm

2024 – New Year – New Sangha Night! 

In 2024 sangha night is changing shape

We will offer various topics in the form of short courses.  You don’t have to book up to attend – just drop in.  But, if a particularly topic interests you, why not decide to come every week for the length of that course?   It will be a good way of going deeper into a subject and practising alongside friends.  

Our first course will be:

The Heart Sutra

9 January to 13 February

The Heart Sutra is perhaps the best known, most loved, and most widely translated Mahayana Buddhist text.   During this six week series we will explore this famous sutra from its origins through to its central mystery of sunyata or emptiness, focussing on what it means for us today as 21st century Buddhists as we seek the Truth. Mining for insights that will help us as we work with our everyday experience of feelings, thoughts, emotions and desires.

Later spring courses (exact dates to be published)  will be 

4 weeks in March : Establishing a creative meditation practice

6 weeks in April / May : What is the Sangha?” :  the many faces of spiritual community”.

The year will also be peppered through with individual evenings on the theme of Living the Dharma Life.  In our movement we live our Dharma lives in a wide variety of ways – in families, communities, work, study, the creative arts, activism, in solitude, in our Centres and organisations – to name only some.  Through the year we will be inviting people to come and share with us these rich and varied experiences. 

Do come along and take part in as much as you can.   Sangha night is a wonderful way to share our inspiration in the Dharma and support one another in our spiritual life.

Every Tuesday 7.30 – 9.30pm


All our classes are run on donations which means everyone, regardless of income, can learn about Buddhism and meditation. To keep this revolutionary approach going, please do give what you can!


If you’d like to catch up with what’s been happening at Sangha Night, subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest ones or our Listen Again pages for material from 2020 and before.


Sangha Night is for the community (anyone who has done the intro course, or has been to the introductory classes for a number of months) to get together to talk, meditate, hear the teachings of the Buddha and discuss them.

Find out what’s happening at Sangha Night on our events page. We would love to welcome you.

Listen again 2022

4 Jan: Be the Revolution

18 Jan: Effort and Effortlessness (part of the Urban Retreat week)

25 Jan: The Heart of the Issue (Wheel of Life Course)

1 Feb: Placing Faith in Conditions (Wheel of Life Course)

8 Feb: The Mirror of Myriad Worlds (Wheel of Life Course)

15 Feb: Slowing the Momentum of Delusion Part 1 (Wheel of Life Course)

15 Feb: Slowing the Momentum of Delusion Part 2 (Wheel of Life Course)

22 Feb: Small Deaths Make a Precious Life (Wheel of Life Course)

1 Mar: Spiralling Down to Wisdom (Wheel of Life Course)

8 Mar: Working with the Mind in Meditation Part 1

15 Mar: Working with the Mind in Meditation Part 2

22 Mar: The Dilemmas of Ethics Part 1 (Course)

29 Mar: The Dilemmas of Ethics Part 2 (Course)

7 Jun: Revolution Through the Body (Course)

13 Oct: Finding the Middle Way – between the psychological and the spiritual

20 Oct: The Wisdom of the Heart Sutra

Bristol Young Buddhists | Fri 3 Sept

Friday 3rd Sept | 7:30pm (join us from 7:15)

The Gold of Community

Community is often missing, or weak, within the dominant individualist culture of the UK. The lone wolf is seen as strong.

But among community is where we can grow stronger throughout our lives. With deep roots and lofty heights. We can only get so far on our own. Being in connection with others gives us opportunity to learn.

“When we practice in the spiritual community, there are more people to support us but also more opportunities for frustration and anger.

Loving speech and deep listening are key to community building” – Thich Nhat Hanh

A evening of lived experiences will be shared. And the deep potential of the community is waiting to be unveiled…

Join us!!! In person at the centre (in the warm!)


Keep updated through the What’sApp group about events and socials (come along and ask to be added)

Our centre runs on generosity, so there is no charge, but if you are able to donate to help keep us running, you can do that here.

Any questions then do get in touch – bristolyoungbuddhists@gmail.com

First Friday of the month. You can join us any time from 7.15 pm onwards if you’d like to say ‘hello’.  We’ll start at 7.30 and run until 9pm.

About these sessions: We run monthly meditation and Buddhism evenings for those between 18 and 35. We also do walks and meet ups too. The events are set up by the Bristol Young Buddhists team and supported by an experienced Buddhist pracitioner. There is a mix of meditation and talks, along with a chance to chat about yourself and your life.

This space is about making friends, growing our community, practicing meditation together and learning about Buddhism. The aim is to make Buddhism relevant to our everyday lives. So if there’s anything you want to hear about then do let us know!

The team comprises of Hannah and Esme, with Will helping on the socials. We would love to see you!

Connect with younger Sangha around Triratna here.

Body-Dharma (mindful yoga) | Sun 9:30am

‘Sensitive to the whole body’ is one of the Buddha’s ‘pith instructions’.  What might it mean to us? How can we become more sensitive to the life of our body and breath? In this class we explore this question.

Sundays 9:30-10:30am with Advayamati | Open to all | Hybrid (in person & online)

UPDATE! Starting from 3rd October

In person at the centre. Book your place by finding the event on our ‘events’ page and signing up!

(TBC if this is to be an online hybrid event too. (Join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83787627639)

Body-dharma yoga is a ‘still flowing’ form of Hatha yoga that incorporates Vinyasa flow, Scaravelli inspiration, somatic approach with a ‘practical’ mindfulness. These aid the integration of mind, body and spirit using the yoga of curiosity and letting go.

Trained yoga teacher Advayamati brings his experience of many years practice, leading workshops and retreats that combine shiatsu and energy work with teaching Buddhism and embodied mindfulness.


No events found

Eco-Crisis Practice Group | 19 Sept

Sunday 19th September | 5.30 – 7pm

“… as one never quite knows a mountain, nor oneself in relation to it. Knowing another is endless … the thing to be known grows with knowing.”

Nan Shepherd (The Living Mountain)

In this group we will be exploring our connection with nature and how it can support us and our practice.
We are invited to bring an item…a picture? a stone? a leaf perhaps?… which symbolises this connection to offer to the shrine.

In person at the centre – find on our events page and book yourself a space!


Sunday 10th October | 5:30 – 7pm

The Lotus that Blooms in the Fire: finding equanimity in a burning world
‘…The lotus that blooms from the midst of flames becomes all the more beautiful and fragrant the nearer the fire rages.’  (Zen Master Hakuin, from ‘The Life of Activity compared with the Life of Calm’)
What greater challenge to our practice could there be but the climate emergency, this threat to all life on our planet?  How can our practice become a gift to this burning world?  In this session we’ll explore a number of different tools for cultivating equanimity:  a state where the heart is both wide open to all that is arising, and at peace. 

Dates: 19 Sept, 10 Oct, 7 Nov, 12 Dec

Full Moon Pujas

Future full moon pujas are in discussion! Watch this space…

Buddhism requires you to practice with the whole of yourself. Not just the mind in meditation. Your body and emotions are brought into play to really embody your practice and transform your world.

Traditionally rituals (pujas) are held on the full moon.

Upcoming Events

No events found

Ethnicity & Race Inclusivity

We welcome everyone to our classes. Some people of African, Asian, mixed heritage or other non-white identifications may find these particular classes at the London Buddhist Centre and The Buddhist Centre Online supportive alongside our Bristol classes:

London Buddhist Centre Sundays 4 – 5.30pm via zoom

Welcoming Liberation – Last Saturday of the month

Watch/listen to Advayamati’s reflections on Black Lives Matter:

‘I’m Black, I’m White, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist” –

Bristol Buddhist Centre, 162 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NT

info@bristol-buddhist-centre.org

Triratna Buddhist Community in Bristol is a Registered Charity in England (900165).

Click here for Privacy Policy

Our Safeguarding Policies

copyright © 2024 Bristol Buddhist Centre

Our aim is to inspire a culture of generosity in the way we share Buddhist teachings. Therefore all our meditation and Buddhism activities are offered on a generosity basis – what you contribute is left to your generosity. You don't have to give anything if you don't want to or can't afford to, but we hope you'll be able to contribute appropriately so more people can benefit. To learn more see donate