The Vitarka Project

(Vitarka means ‘applied thought and discussion’ in the Buddhist Tradition)

Introducing what we do….

For over a decade, Bristol Buddhist Centre have been hosting educational visits to and from schools, colleges and the wider community throughout Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset.

We tailor visits to the particular learning needs and interests of each group. These include an introduction to meditation, symbolism and ritual, and discussions on ethics and precepts. Visits to the Centre are possible on weekdays except Wednesdays and Fridays. If you prefer we are very happy come to you. 

Rates

School visit to the Buddhist Centre

From September 2024

£4.50 per pupil

No charge for teachers or accompanying adults.

Centre coordinator visit to your school

Duration	From September 2024
1 hour	£80
1.5 hours	£115
2 hours	£135
4 hours	£190
Day	£275

All visits to a school will incur travel costs of 45p per mile from the Buddhist Centre, plus £12 per hour travel time.

To find out more about arranging a visit or borrowing the shrine box, email: vitarkabristol@gmail.com

Borrow the Shrine Box…

We offer a shrine box for groups to borrow so that you can build your own shrine. Buddhist shrines are an interesting focal point and can encourage an engagement with the symbolism and significance that they represent. We welcome an opportunities for a Q&A during the visit.

If you are interested in borrowing the shrine box please contact us to book it and we will organise for you to collect it.  We ask for a donation of £15.

The box contains everything needed to build a shrine (except for fresh flowers). Guidelines of how to build a shrine, an explanation of the symbolism, why Buddhists build shrines and some simple exercises that you might want to use are also included.

To borrow the shrine box please email: vitarkabristol@gmail.com

And finally…

Check out Buddhism for Schools – for resources and information about Buddhism from the Triratna Buddhist movement.