BUDDHIST

• Introduction

• Project Outline

DIRECTORY LISTINGS

• BAHÁ'Í

• BUDDHIST

• CHRISTIAN

• HINDU

• JEWISH

• MUSLIM

• SIKH

• INTERFAITH

Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality. Buddhist practices, such as meditation, are means of transforming oneself in order to develop such qualities as awareness, loving-kindness, and wisdom. The experiences developed within the Buddhist traditions over thousands of years have created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a spiritual path -- a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense, but more as a philosophy; historically and in current practice, it can be regarded as both. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward yet profound: all composite things are impermanent; all contaminated things are unsatisfactory; all things lack independent self-existence; and Nirvana is true peace. Practically because our actions (including our thoughts) have consequences, and transformation is possible, Buddhism has relevance for all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. Through learning, contemplation and meditation it teaches methods for people to realise and utilise the teachings and by so doing,   transform their experience, become fully responsible for their lives, and develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion. There are around 350 million Buddhists and a growing number of them are Westerners. They follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterised by non-violence, lack of sectarian attitudes, tolerance of different faiths, and by a wide variety of meditative technique.

"Although the world's religions differ widely in terms of metaphysics and philosophy, the conclusions these differing philosophies arrive at - that is their ethical teachings - show a high degree of convergence… in some form or other, the philosophies of all the world religions emphasize love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and the importance of self-discipline. Through interfaith and personal communication, sharing and respect, we can learn to appreciate the valuable qualities taught by all religions, and the ways in which all religions can benefit humanity."
HH the Dalai Lama

BRISTOL

Bristol Buddhist Forum
E-mail: branwen.griffiths@bristolbuddhistforum.org.uk
Internet: http://www.bristolbuddhistforum.org.uk

Amitabha Buddhist Centre, 6 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton, BS8 2XQ
Tel: 0117 974 5160
E-mail: info@meditationinbristol.org
Internet: http://www.meditationinbristol.org/

Aro Tradition (Bristol)
Contact Address : Hillberry Lodge, Sandpits, Dursley, Glos, GL11 6PD
E-mail: bristolmeditation@arobuddhism.org
The Bristol group meets at the Bristol Steiner School, Redland Hill.

Bristol Buddhist Centre, 162 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT
Tel: 0117 9249991
E-mail: info@bristol-buddhist-centre.org
Internet: http://www.bristol-buddhist-centre.org
The Bristol Buddhist Centre has been teaching meditation and Buddhism in Bristol since 1981 and we have been at our premises on the Gloucester Road from 1997. We run classes for newcomers to meditation and Buddhism as well as yoga classes, retreats, and study groups. The Centre reception and shop, which sells meditation and yoga gear, books on Buddhism and related subjects, Buddhist cards and statues etc is open from 1.00 - 4.00 pm Monday to Saturday for personal callers. The Evolution shop in the Galleries is also run by people involved with the Centre as a Buddhist Right Livelihood business. We are part of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, a modern Buddhist movement drawing its teachings and practices from all parts of the Buddhist tradition. We have full disabled access and welcome visits from schools.

Bristol Ch'an Group (Chinese Zen Buddhism), The Coach House, 40A Eastfield, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 4BE
Tel: 0117 924 8819 Sally and Mike Masheder
E-mail: enquires@bristol-chan.co.uk
Internet: http://bristol-chan.co.uk
Internet: http:// www.westernchanfellowship.org
The Bristol Ch'an group meets at the Coach House 1930 every Wednesday. Directions and further information are available on the website.

Bristol Insight Meditation Group
Tel: 0117 9426810  Gordon Adam (general enquiries)
Tel: 0117 9635661 Jo Bolt  (day retreats)
E-mail: gordonadam@blueyonder.co.uk
Internet: http://www.gaiahouse.co.uk
This group, formerly named Bristol Gaia House Group, was established in Autumn 2003 to provide local sangha support for people who had been on retreats at Gaia House in Devon. The group meets fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from 7.15 - 9.30pm. We sit for 45 minutes, followed by a tea break, then discussion of a pre-arranged topic. The group is open to anyone roughly following a vipassana or 'Insight Meditation' approach to sitting. We also organise regular day retreats (Saturdays or Sundays) by Gaia House teachers. These are roughly every couple of months and held at Oddfellows Hall in Clifton. The day retreats are open to anyone, including (for most retreats) people new to meditation. We also organise very successful 'self-led' weekend residential retreats at The Golden Buddha Centre, in Dartmoor, 2 or 3 times a year. These are suitable for people with previous retreat experience. Other group activities include a monthly Inquiry group, which utilises reflective interactive questioning, regular sangha walks in the Bristol area, and regular screenings of Buddhist films. A monthly e-newsletter detailing group activities is available on request.
Fortnightly sitting group:Bristol Zen Dojo, 91-93 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8AT

Bristol Shambala Meditation Group, 2nd Floor, 13 Clifton Vale, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4PT
Tel: 0117 9706586
E-mail: bristol@shambhala.org.uk
Internet: http://www.bristol.shambhala-europe.org
Bristol Shambala Meditation Group is one of many groups and centres that together form Shambhala International. This organisation was originally set up by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, author of Shambhala, the Sacred Path of the Warrior and now headed by his son and dharma heir Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, author of Turning the Mind into an Ally. Currently the group rents space in a private house and meets each Wednesday for shamatha meditation and the second Sunday of each month for a half or full day workshop. The first Wednesday of each month is set aside for newcomers.

Bristol Zen Dojo, 91-93 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8AT
Tel: 0117 9424347
E-mail: chris.preist@hp.com
Internet: http://www.izauk.org
The heart of Zen is the practice of zazen, which means just sitting. Just sitting, with the back straight, the legs folded, and the breathing peaceful. It means returning to the state of simple being, returning to inner silence. When thoughts come, we just acknowledge them, and let them pass by. It is a Buddhist practice, but it does not belong to Buddhism, or to any particular religion. It is the practice of seeing things as they are, and realising that our ideas and anxieties about things are just that; ideas and anxieties, not reality itself. We offer introductions to Zen every Wednesday, 6pm.

Dogen Sangha Buddhist Group (Soto Zen / Japan), 21 Melbourne Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8LA
Tel: 0117 924 3828 Mike Luetchford
E-mail: info@dogensangha.org.uk
Internet: http://www.dogensangha.org.uk/
Located in the ancient port city of Bristol in the South West of England, Dogen Sangha Buddhist Group holds weekly Zazen practice and talks on Buddhism based on the teachings of Zen Master Dogen, the 13^th Century Buddhist monk and philosopher who established the practice of Zazen in Japan.

Lam Rim Bristol Buddhist Centre, 12 Victoria Place, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 3BP
Tel: 0117 9639089 or 0117 9231138
E-mail: mike@lamrim.org.uk
Internet: http://www.lamrim.org.uk/
The Lam Rim Centre opened in 1988 and includes the Centre for Whole Health, where Complementary Medicine is offered. There are evening and weekend meetings to learn and practise meditation, hear and discuss Buddha's teachings and perform devotional Buddhist practice. Teachings follow the Tibetan Gelug-pa tradition under the guidance of spiritual director, Ven. Geshe Damcho Yonten (resident at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre in Wales). Ven. Geshe Lobsang Thinley is resident at Lam Rim Bristol. He teaches on Tuesday evenings. Both are Lharampa Geshes from Drepung Loseling monastery with which they maintain regular contact.
The Centre also host visits from other teachers.

Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling Buddhist Centre, 121 Sommerville Road, St Andrews, Bristol, BS6 5BX
Tel: 0117 9244424
Email: bristol@dechen.org
Internet: http://www.dechen.org
The Sakya Centre is Bristol's oldest Buddhist centre and it follows the teachings of the Sakya tradition. Founded in Tibet about 1000 years ago, the Sakya tradition is one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Centre was established in 1977 by Karma Thinley Rinpoche and Lama Jampa Thaye. The centre holds introductory classes at 8 p.m. each Tuesday, which consist of a short talk on different aspects of Buddhism and an introduction to Buddhist meditation. These sessions are led by experienced Buddhist practitioners and are designed for those who are new to Buddhism and the Sakya Centre. All are welcome. £3.

The Longchen Foundation, Tibetan Dzogchen school of Buddhism, 9 Dugar Walk, Redland, Bristol, BS6 7DH
Tel: Tim (0117 942 5481) or Steve (0117 944 1030)
Email: longchenbristol@bigfoot.com
Internet: http://www.longchenfoundation.com/
The Indestructible Heart Essence. Courses in the view and practice of Formless Meditation with the Longchen Foundation.We are an authentic Tibetan Buddhist organisation in the Dzogchen tradition and run courses for anyone interested in Meditation - from total beginners through to experienced meditators. Courses in Bristol are all run by trained meditation instructors - all are welcome. Courses run throughout the year on Wednesday evenings and at weekends, at the Relaxation Centre in Clifton, Bristol.

CALDICOT

Aro Tradition (Caldicot), 20 Longcroft Road, Caldicot, Mon., NP26 4EX
Tel: 07969 112541
E-mail: sncd@chatral.demon.co.uk

CARDIFF

Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 12 St Peter's Street, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 3BA
Tel: 029 20462492
E-mail: connect@cardiffbuddhistcentre.com
Internet: http://www.cardiffbuddhistcentre.com

NEWPORT

Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (Soto Zen)
Tel: 07984-632103 Rev Chushin Passmore
Email: revchushin@hotmail.com
Internet:  http://www.dharmacloud.org
  http://www.obcon.org
  http://www.throssel.org.uk/
Rev Chushin Passmore is a Buddhist monk, ordained in 1977. He holds weekly meditation classes in Newport, meeting every Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Dharmavajra Buddhist Centre, Springfield House, Ffynone Road, Uplands, Swansea SA1 6DE
Tel: 01792 458245
Email: info@meditationinwales.org
Internet: http://www.meditationinwales.org
Kadampa Buddhism is a time-honoured tradition that for centuries has made Buddha's teachings and meditation practices available to people throughout the world. Buddhism has a timeless and universal relevance, and can be practiced by anyone in any culture, regardless of race, gender, or age.  Through training in meditation and other Buddhist practices you can improve the quality of your life by developing inner peace, love, and wisdom.  You do not need to be a Buddhist to try out these practices, or to benefit from them. We meet at NEWPORT Civic Centre on Tuesday evenings, 7pm to 9pm: please phone or look at the website to check when the dates are.

RAGLAN

Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, Pentwyn Manor, Penrhos, Raglan, Usk, NP15 2LE
Tel: 01600 780383
E-mail: Margaret@lamrim.org.uk
Internet: http://www.lamrim.org.uk/
A country retreat offering tranquility for retreats or courses in a range of accommodation, including self-catering flats. Venerable Geshe Damcho, the centre's resident Spiritual Director gives regular teachings, and the centre has hosted visits from many renowned Buddhist Masters, foremost being His Holiness the Dalai Lama.