Wishfulfilling Jewel is a special practice for developing compassion, wisdom and spiritual strength by relying upon the Wisdom Buddha Je Tsongkhapa, and for overcoming obstacles and difficulties on the spiritual path by relying upon his Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. These two practices are the very essence of Kadampa Buddhism. If we practise these regularly and sincerely, we will develop pure Dharma realisations, and eventually come to experience the supreme joy of full enlightenment.

Wishfulfilling Jewel with silence for Lamrim meditation (unguided) and a second silence for Mahamudra meditation (unguided) is held most days. Library copies of The New Meditation Handbook (and other books) are available in the meditation room to help guide yourself through your meditations.

Duration: approx. 1 hour, 15 mins.

Wishfulfilling Jewel with Tsog is held once a week usually on a Sunday afternoon.

If you would like to attend, then it is traditional (but not required) to bring a vegetarian food or drink offering. We can also make specific dedications for friends or relatives that are unwell or have recently died.

Duration: approx. 1 hour

Prayers addressed to our Spiritual Guide, which contain all the essential practices of the stages of the path (Lamrim) and the training of the mind (Lojong) as well as the generation stage and the completion stage of Highest Yoga Tantra. By relying on our Spiritual Guide as one with Je Tsongkhapa, our compassion, spiritual power and especially our wisdom will grow naturally.

Held on the 10th and 25th days of every month.

If you would like to attend, then it is traditional (but not required) to bring a vegetarian food or drink offering. We can also make specific dedications for friends or relatives that are unwell or have recently died.

Duration: approx. 1 hour, 45 mins

Long prayers to the Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. A Dharma Protector always helps, guides and protects practitioners by granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their positive wishes and granting success in all their virtuous activities. We rely on the Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden, who we recognise as inseparable from our Spiritual Guide and Buddha, to restore any commitments we may have broken or allowed to deteriorate.

Held on, or around, the 29th of every month.

If you would like to attend, then it is traditional (but not required) to bring a vegetarian food or drink offering. We can also make specific dedications for friends or relatives that are unwell or have recently died.

Duration: approx. 3 hours, 15 mins

Prayers of request to the twenty-one manifestations of Tara, our Holy Mother. Tara is a female Buddha, the ultimate wisdom manifestation of all the Buddhas. Her name means ‘Rescuer’ because she frees us from all fears, external and internal. Just as a mother protects us from all inner and outer dangers, Tara brings together all the conditions necessary for our spiritual progress.

Held on the 8th day of every month.

If you would like to attend, then it is traditional (but not required) to bring a green offering of either food, flowers, candles, etc.

Duration: approx. 1 hour

When we practise transference of consciousness, or ‘powa’, with faith, compassion and concentration, we can transfer the consciousness of those who have recently died to a higher rebirth or to the Pure Land of a Buddha. The powa ceremony can be performed by a single person or a group of practitioners for the sake of one or more deceased people, as well as for the sake of countless people who have died recently. By performing this practice, we also create a vast collection of merit that will also lead us on the path to the Pure Land of a Buddha.

Held once a month, usually on a Saturday evening.

If you would like to attend, then it is traditional (but not required) to bring a white offering of either food, flowers, candles, etc and if you wish, we can make specific dedications for friends or relatives that have recently died.

Duration: approx. 1 hour

The extensive ritual prayer for spiritual attainment that contains the essence of the self-generation practice of Vajrayogini – the female enlightened Deity of Highest Yoga Tantra who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas.

Usually held Monday and Thursday mornings.

Duration: either 1.5 hours or 2 hours

Please note this practice is for HYT Practitioners only.

A special practice of moral discipline that is performed with the motivation of bodhichitta (the determination to attain the enlightened state of a Buddha in order to help living beings). The essence of this practice is to make eight commitments and try to keep them for a period of 24 hours. This practice helps us solve the problems of this life by avoiding the causes of suffering. It also creates the cause for future fortunate rebirths. We must first receive these precepts from a qualified preceptor, and then we can take them on our own as often as we wish.

More information about taking precepts here.

Information about the practice of moral discipline here.

Held at 6.30am on the 15th day of every month.

Duration: approx. 45 mins

Please note when we take the eight Mahayana precepts, we explicitly promise to abstain for twenty-four hours from eight actions: 1) killing, 2) stealing, 3) sexual activity, 4) lying, 5) taking intoxicants such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs (unless for medicinal purposes), 6) eating after lunch, 7) sitting on high or luxurious thrones or seats, and 8) wearing jewellery, perfume, make-up etc. and singing, dancing, and so forth. We eat only one meal (before 12.30pm) that does not contain ingredients such as meat, eggs, spices, garlic, chillies.