TARA KMC IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

HOWEVER, LIVE STREAMING IS NOW AVAILABLE!

HALF DAY COURSE:

How to be Calm, Connected & Compassionate

Saturday 11th April – 10am – 1pm

With Resident Teacher Paul Jenkins

More Details & Booking

MEDITATION CLASSES:

Tuesday 7th April: 7:30 – 8:45pm – with Resident Teacher Paul Jenkins

Wednesday 8th April: 11 – 12:15pm – with Kadampa Buddhist Teacher Sue

Thursday 9th April: 12:30 – 12:50pm

More Details & Booking

PRAYERS:

Monday 6th April: 7:30 – 8:35pm ~ Wishfulfilling Jewel

Wednesday 8th April: 7:30 – 8:20pm ~ Liberation from Sorrow (Tara)

Friday 10th April: 7:30 – 9:15pm ~ Offering to the Spiritual Guide

Saturday 11th April: 7:30 – 8:35pm ~ Wishfulfilling Jewel

Sunday 12th April: 7:30 – 8:20pm ~ Powa Prayers for the deceased

How to access the prayers:
Send an email to: epc@tarakmc.org no later than 2 hours before the prayers are scheduled to begin, stating:

– which prayer sessions you wish to join.

We will then send you an email before the prayers begin with a link to access.

If you do not have a copy of any of the mentioned prayers, they are available to buy at Tharpa Publications. Both paper and electronic copies are available. Simply go to the website and type the name of the prayers into the search column: https://tharpa.com/uk/

COVID 19 DETAILS:

Due to the current risks of Covid-19, the Centre is now closed until further notice. All branch classes are also cancelled.

The cafe, shop and grounds are also closed.

Those who have booked upcoming courses will be contacted directly by our reception team.

We have taken this decision to safeguard our visitors, and extended and residential community, and thank you for your patience and understanding.

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MEDITATION CLASSES

COURSES & RETREATS

MEDITATION COURSES

MEDITATION RETREATS

SPECIAL EVENTS

EXPLORE TARA KMC

OUR TRADITION

New Kadampa Tradition

The New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centres founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 1991 to offer the practical wisdom of Kadampa Buddhism to the people of our modern world.

Through Geshe Kelsang’s tireless activities and kindness there are now over 1100 centres and groups offering Buddha’s wisdom advice to people in 40 countries across the world.

The NKT-IKBU is an international non-profit organization registered in England as a charitable company.

RESIDENT TEACHER

Paul Jenkins is the Resident Teacher of Tara KMC. He is a dedicated student of Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and has been studiyng and teaching Kadampa Buddhism for over 30 years. He is married with 3 children and has practical experience of integrating Modern Buddhism within a busy, professional and family life.

For many years a senior teacher at Manjushri KMC, Paul is well known for the clarity and warmth of his teachings and for his good heart. His teachings come from deep experience of practicing meditation, and are clear and accessible.

OUR SEASONAL EVENTS

SUMMER AND CHRISTMAS FAYRE

An outstanding local event – bring your stall and join the fun as we throw open the doors to thousands of local visitors. A fun day for all the family.

OUR COMMUNITY

BE PART OF TARA KMC COMMUNITY

The Tara KMC community is made up of the many people who live, work, study, visit and volunteer here. From local people calling in for the free lunchtime meditations, to our international team of volunteers who staff the World Peace Cafe, everyone benefits from the warm and friendly atmosphere and the peaceful environment.

Tara KMC is dedicated to the peace and happiness of all living beings and there are many ways that you can be part of our community. Why not drop in for a free class, or come to an inspiring talk or event?

We particularly welcome local people who wish to volunteer even a few hours a week. Your kind support helps us to offer all our meditation classes and to care for the centre and grounds so that everyone can enjoy this special blessed place. If you would like to be a volunteer at Tara KMC please contact info@tarakmc.org for more information. There is no need to be a Buddhist to be involved. Everyone is welcome at Tara KMC.

VOLUNTEERING

WORKING VISITS

LIVING AT TARA KMC

NEW KADAMPA TRADITION

ABOUT BUDDHISM

KADAMPA FESTIVALS

TEMPLES PROJECT

THARPA PUBLICATIONS

Who is Buddha?

The Precious Umbrella

Precious Victory Banner

The Precious Wheel

BUDDHA

In general, ‘Buddha’ means ‘Awakened One’, someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions. There are many people who have become Buddhas in the past, and many people will become Buddhas in the future.

There is nothing that Buddha does not know. Because he has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and has removed all obstructions from his mind, he knows everything of the past, present, and future, directly and simultaneously.

Moreover, Buddha has great compassion which is completely impartial, embracing all living beings without discrimination.

THE PRECIOUS UMBRELLA

The umbrella symbolizes the umbrella of the Buddhist community and teaches us that those who have the sincere wish to progress on the Buddhist path to enlightenment should first enter the Buddhist family, which means taking refuge in the Three Jewels and becoming a Buddhist.

We are not saying that Buddhists are good and others are not but what this is saying is that those who wish to progress along the Buddhist path to enlightenment should enter Buddhism because outside Buddhism you cannot progress along the Buddhist path!

So we must go inside without hesitation, without doubt, with a hundred percent trust, enter and then go in one direction, and then every year, year by year, month by month, you can make progress. Therefore the first important thing is to enter Buddhism and then understand how to begin, progress along, and complete the stages of the path to enlightenment.

THE PRECIOUS FISH

The fish symbolize harmony and peace, and teaches us that under this umbrella you should always live in harmony and peace. Whenever you see a fish, please remember this, it is very important.

Not only Buddhists, every community, society, and family, whether big groups or small groups, every individual should live in harmony and peace, of course that is important. So the two fish playing remind you, show that they are so happy, peaceful, and harmonious. Even though they are animals they are so enjoying themselves with harmony and peace, so of course we need to!

THE PRECIOUS VASE

The vase symbolizes wealth and teaches that Buddhist practitioners always enjoy the inner wealths of faith, moral discipline, study and practice of Dharma, benefiting others, sense of shame, consideration for others, and wisdom.

Of course normally everyone regards external wealth, money, and external conditions as important but Buddhist practitioners believe that internal wealth is more important because this wealth makes your mind happy all the time and helps in this and future lives.

THE PRECIOUS FLOWER

The lotus flower symbolizes purity, which indicates that we need to put great effort into becoming a pure being by practicing the Bodhisattva’s way of life – cultivating and maintaining a good heart and then trying to engage in actions that are similar to those of Bodhisattva. In other words, the lotus reminds us that we should not remain always as an impure, ignorant being, but strive to become a pure being by practicing the Bodhisattva’s way of life.

THE PRECIOUS CONCH

The conch shell symbolizes the Dharma Jewel and teaches us that we should accomplish the Dharma Jewel, the realization of the stages of the path to enlightenment, within our mind. These realizations directly protect us from suffering and problems.

THE PRECIOUS KNOT

The knot of eternity symbolizes an uncommon quality of Buddha’s realizations – his realization of omniscient wisdom.

The knot of eternity and the victory banner together indicate that through gaining the Dharma Jewel, the realization of the stages of the path to enlightenment, we shall attain these two uncommon qualities of Buddha.

THE PRECIOUS VICTORY BANNER

The victory banner symbolizes an uncommon quality of Buddha’s abandonment – his abandonment of delusions and mistaken appearance.

THE PRECIOUS WHEEL

The Dharma Wheel indicates that having attained these two uncommon qualities of Buddha we now have the ability to lead all living beings to permanent liberation from suffering, principally by turning the Wheel of Dharma, that is, by giving Dharma teachings. This is our final goal.

So the eight auspicious signs show how to begin, progress along, and complete the spiritual path. First we need to gain the realization of the stages of the path. Through this we shall attain the two uncommon qualities of Buddha; and through this we have the ability to lead all beings to permanent liberation from suffering by giving Dharma teachings, which is our final goal.

Therefore the symbolism of This Temple being surrounded by these eight auspicious signs reminds you that you should put the meaning of these signs into practice and integrate them into your daily life.