Padmasambhava Day

Sun

20 Sep

10.30am - 4.30pm

Sun 20 Sep | 10.30am - 4.30pm

‍Led by Ksantikara & Maitriyogini

Half-historical, half-legendary, sometimes called 'the second Buddha', Padmasambhava is the great eighth-century figure who established Buddhism in Tibet. In the stories of his life, he appears as a magician, yogi, teacher and guru, famed for taming gods and demons alike. He represents transformation and energy.
Throughout 2026, we're exploring the four gifts outlined in Sangharakshita's seminal 1976 lecture series, Buddhism for Today & Tomorrow. On Padmasambhava Day, we focus on the third gift: The Nucleus of a New Society. We'll explore how Padmasambhava embodies the energy, magic, and aliveness of spiritual friendship: vital for the transformation of self and world.

Just turn up to the event, suggested donation £30.

Programme:‍

‍10.15am – Doors Open

‍10.30am – Silent Morning with meditation & readings from The Life & Liberation‍

‍1pm – Door open again for Shared Lunch (bring something vegetarian to share)

‍2pm – Keynote talk from Sthiramanas

‍3pm – Doors Open

‍3.15pm – Urban Retreat Closing Ceremony, with Mitra ceremonies

4.30pm – End

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.