friday night lecture
Can Faith be Scientific?
Friday 17th May 7:30 - 9:00 pm
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Often when we think about faith we think of 'blind faith', which seems to be an unthinking and baseless belief system. Although many people like the idea of faith, others believe that faith implies suspending disbelief or is somehow irrational. Is there a way that faith can be scientific and reliable?
day retreat
Like a Cloudless Sky
Saturday 18th May 10:00 am - 5:15 pm
with Kelsang Pador
Following meditations on concentration fromThe New Meditation Handbookby Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche - this day retreat will help to improve our concentration and focus - allowing us to experience a deeper sense of inner peace when meditating and to develop a more spacious, relaxed mind during our daily life. Everyone is welcome!
How to Prepare for Meditation
10:00 - 1:00 pm Sunday 19th May
with Kelsang Pagma
In this workshop, Kelsang Pagma will teach how to set up a shrine according to Modern Kadampa Buddhism, as well as the meaning behind the different symbols and sacred objects. We will also be introduced to some of the preliminary practices to meditation, such as water and substance offerings, prayers, mandala offerings, prostrations and so forth.
Dharma Children
10:30 - 11:30 am Sunday 19th May
with Maria Healey
This class is suitable for children of ages between 4 and 12 years. Parents, grandparents and carers are welcome to join the class if they wish. Our experienced Kadampa Teacher, Maria Healey, will skilfully guide this class so both children and adults will have a meaningful experience.
Coming up soon
Summer Fayre 2024
Saturday 22nd June 11:00am - 5:00pm
(with free guided meditation sessions)
Childrens Area
Face painting, Circus Skills workshop, treasure hunt - A full day of activities!
Live music, Food and Shopping
Live music on the day, Foods of the world, including a BBQ, Curry and our World Peace Cafe as well as many interesting stalls from local crafts, artwork, beauty products and clothing.
Ashe Hall & Grounds
The history of Ashe Hall and it's grounds, recorded in the Domesday book as Ashe Village! As well as some of the oldest and largest Sequoias in the UK.
Free entrance and free car parking on site.
Post-spring festival retreat
Removing Our Obstacles with Wisdom
30th May - 5th June
with Gen Kelsang Rigpa, Western USA National Spiritual Director and Resident Teacher at KMC Los Angeles, California, USA
Following on from Gen-la Kelsang Jampa's teachings about our Wisdom Protector at the International Spring Festival at Manjushri KMC - a chance at Tara IKRC to take the teachings deep into our heart and engage in retreat on our Dharma Protector - helping us maintain our spiritual life
A SPECIAL WAY OF RELYING UPON OUR SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering
Friday 14th - Sunday 16th June
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering retreat combines two of the four great preliminary guides that we need to practice if we want to gain Mahamudra realizations – the quick path to enlightenment.
We all wish for spiritual realizations, but these depend upon creating certain inner conditions such as purifying negativity, accumulating merit, and receiving blessings.
Post-summer festival retreat
The Heart Sutra - a Method for Overcoming All Obstacles
11th - 17th August
with Gen Kelsang Tonglam, National Spiritual Director of Kadampa Buddhism for East Asia and the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Hong Kong and Kadampa Meditation Centre Taiwan
Take the teachings of the NKT International Summer Festival at Manjushri KMC into our heart at Tara IKRC and deepen our experience of preventing obstacles in daily life through this powerful method taught by Buddha Shakyamuni himself on Massed Vultures mountain in India.
Coming up soon
Letting Go of Hurt Feelings
Saturday 7th September
Special Day Course with guest Teacher Gen Kelsang Dornying
Using the ancient wisdom of Buddha's teachings, special guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Dornying, will show how we can gain control over these hurt feelings and how we can learn to instead experience good feelings - even when we are enduring difficult situations!
Not to be missed! Everybody is welcome.
Meditation Classes in Your Area
Ashbourne || Burton-upon-Trent || Derby City || Lichfield || Loughborough || Newcastle-under-Lyme || Uttoxeter
Each class of the term is self-contained, so you are welcome to join at any point. Each class is followed by complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions. We also have many books and materials available to help you deepen your understanding and meditation experience through further reading.
You do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, and no previous experience of meditation is required. Everybody is welcome!
Free Events
Blessings for a Year
Meet all the Buddhas throughout the year
Thursdays 7:30pm
A monthly event throughout the year focused on meeting and engaging in the practice of different Kadampa Deities. Enjoy a rare opportunity to engage in these very special chanted prayers that help us to make our life more meaningful. No need to book and no fee, just drop in!
The prayers start at 7.30 pm and the duration varies based on the prayer booklets (sadhana) we use.
Lunchtime Meditation
Monday - Friday 12:30-12:50pm
(except during retreats, so please check the calendar)
The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful so that we can find relief from mental discomfort, worries or anxiety.
These twenty minute sessions will allow you to truly relax and de-stress so you can return to your day feeling clear-headed and refreshed. A typical session includes a short talk and a guided breathing meditation.
No need to book, just drop in! Everyone is welcome!
Prayers for World Peace
Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00-3:00pm
(except during retreats, so please check the calendar)
Take a break from your day and find some inner calm. Join us for one of our special lunchtime meditation sessions, held in our beautiful meditation space at Tara IKRC.
Enjoy relaxing guided meditation, a short teaching on love and compassion, and the beautiful Prayers for World Peace that will help you navigate life with a more peaceful, positive mind. No need to book. Just drop in! Everyone is welcome!
Google reviews
I don't know if I can express with words everything I've lived in this wonderful place! I think as much as I try, I can't because it was just magical! The beauty of the place, the peace that the place brought me, the meditations, the people who lived there or just volunteered, everything was just perfect, everything was as it should have been. I just have to thank everything I've experienced and I highly recommend it! I will definitely be back too!
An oasis of calm and tranquility where you can learn and practice meditation. Everyone there is so laid back and friendly. The grounds are extensive and well maintained if you just want to wander around and enjoy the peaceful vibe of the place. Excellent cafe and gift shop too.
A beautiful centre with a lovely cafe, grounds and excellent meditation classes. The meditation hall is very peaceful and the teachers are wonderful. A very special place. I would highly recommend a visit.
A beautiful spot to relax and refocus the mind. The grounds surrounding the building are beautiful and plentiful. The staff are super helpful, and very welcoming. It was my first visit recently, but fully intend to return again soon.
Loved it. Beautiful gardens and lovely teachings by the lovely Buddhists The cafe was great and food was healthy and tasty . Will be visiting again
I have just returned from the weekend retreat and have to say I had the most wonderful time! I had never been anywhere like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Wow, it is such a beautiful place with beautiful people. The classes and meditations are very clear and eye opening. I will now be using these in my daily life and want to learn a lot more. I will definitely be back. Thank you so much for a life-changing weekend.
What can I say about the most beautiful place I have ever been fortunate to have been a part of. The community, the grounds, the food, the love, the tranquility, second to none. If you can, you should. What a place.