Meditation & Buddhism

Sat

4 Jul

10.30am-12.30pm

Saturdays 10.30am-12.30pm | Give what you can, suggested donation £13

A friendly & lively class with meditation and exploration of Buddhist teachings, suitable for all levels of experience.

Start your weekend in a positive way with our Saturday morning class. The first hour is meditation teaching and practice. Then at 11:30 we continue with ideas, questions and discussion on meditation and Buddhism, with a special guest talk once a month.

Each month there is a new theme that starts with a keynote talk on the 2nd Saturday.

See below for the next talks:

Theme for 2026: Human Growth and Changing Society

THE GOLDEN NET

  • 9 May:  9-May Keynote Speaker: VAJRAMITRA  
  • What Did the Buddha See? a vision of conditionality and human potential
  • 13 June:  Keynote Speaker:  ARYAJIT  
  • The Endless Round: the Buddha’s vision of the Wheel of Life.
  • 11 July: Keynote Speaker: KARUNAGITA  
  • The Spiral Path: the Buddha’s vision of the way to Enlightenment.

DANCING TOGETHER

  • 8 August: A Pattern of Buddhas: the Mandala of enlightened beings.
  • 12 September: Building a Community: how to help create a Sangha.
  • 10 October: When to Commit? Deepening refuge

PLANTING THE GARDEN

  • 14 November: Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist activism, Buddhist models for living.
  • 12 December: Transforming Family, Career, Politics and Leisure

Previous talks available on Youtube :


Buddhism for Today and Tomorrow | Ksantikara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FjKNrgfwM


Growing from the Mud - The Lotus | Ratnaprabha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofRro77Wiho&t=2s

Frequently Asked questions

What does Give What you Can mean?
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All of our Buddhism and meditation classes are offered free of charge, but donations are very welcome. At all our events, we invite people to give what they can to help cover the costs of running the Centre. We appreciate everyone’s generosity, no matter the size of the gift.

Will there be any food and drink?
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Tea and biscuits are served during breaks. We provide a wide range of teas along with oat and soya milk. There is also tap water. If you’re attending a day-long event (a Festival day or Day retreat for example), you’re invited to bring a vegan lunch to share as part of a "pot-luck" buffet.

What should I wear?
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There is no dress code, just wear what you feel comfortable in. If you’re attending a meditation class, loose-fitting trousers are a good choice as they make it much easier to sit on a cushion or chair for longer periods.

Do I need to take my shoes off?
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We ask everyone to remove their shoes before entering our shrine rooms or yoga studio. You can leave your shoes in the designated areas. (You might want to bring a pair of socks if your feet get cold!)

Is it ok to just come once?
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Absolutely! You are welcome to drop-in and see if it feels right for you. 

How do I get to the Buddhist Centre?
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We are a 5–10 minute walk from three stations: Highbury & Islington, Holloway Road, and Drayton Park. Bus routes 21, 43, 263, and 393 stop nearby. We are also on the C38 Cycleway, with plenty of bike racks close by on Fieldway Crescent. There is no on-site parking, and nearby streets are mostly resident-only.

Is the Buddhist Centre accessible? 
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While we have an internal lift to the shrine rooms and yoga studio, please be aware there are four steep steps at our main street-level entrance without a ramp or lift. On the ground floor, you’ll find an accessible toilet. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your specific access needs.