New to the Centre? Start Here.
Visiting a new place for the first time can be daunting, especially a Buddhist centre! We want your first visit to be as peaceful and welcoming as possible.
We are a friendly, open community, and our main goal is to provide a supportive space for everyone. There is no pressure, and no “secret code” you need to know.
Here’s a simple guide to answer the most common questions we get.
Do I Need to Be a Buddhist to Attend?
Absolutely not. The vast majority of people who come to our beginner sessions are not Buddhists.
We welcome everyone, from all backgrounds and beliefs. Many people come to learn meditation for stress relief, to find a moment of peace, or simply out of curiosity. Our centre is open to all, and you will not be pressured to “join” anything.
What to Wear
There is no “dress code.” Just wear something comfortable that you can sit in. Casual clothes like jeans, jumpers, and t-shirts are completely fine.
When You Arrive
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Shoes: We are a traditional centre, so we do ask that you please take your shoes off at reception. You’ll see a large shoe rack just inside where you can leave them. This helps keep our sacred spaces clean.
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Mobile Phones: To help maintain the peaceful atmosphere, we ask that you please turn your mobile phone to silent or switch it off completely.
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Where to go: You will enter directly into our reception. There will usually be a friendly volunteer there to say hello and welcome you before you enter the shrine room.
Entering the Shrine Room
Our main meditation space is called the Shrine Room. It is a very special and peaceful room, but you don’t need to be nervous.
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Where to sit: We have traditional meditation cushions (called gomdens) on the floor, but we also have plenty of chairs. Please sit wherever you feel most comfortable. There is no “right” way to sit.
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What to do: You don’t need to do anything special. You may see some people bow (prostrate) towards the shrine. This is a traditional sign of respect for the Buddha’s teachings, but it is not required or expected of anyone. Please just find a seat and relax.
What Happens in a Typical Session?
Our guided meditation sessions are perfect for beginners. A typical session will include:
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A few words of welcome.
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A simple, guided meditation (usually 20-30 minutes), where the teacher will walk you through the process step-by-step.
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A short talk or teaching based on Buddhist wisdom (e.g., how to work with difficult emotions or cultivate kindness).
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A chance to ask questions if you wish.
How Much Does it Cost?
We are a registered charity, and our centre is run entirely by volunteers. We do not have set charges for our regular sessions as we want the teachings to be available to everyone.
We run on a suggested donation basis (this is called dana, or the practice of generosity). The recommended donation is £5, or £2.50 for concessions.
These donations are vital and go directly towards the running costs of the centre, helping us keep the heating on, maintain the building, and continue offering a peaceful refuge for the community.
For our regular visitors and supporters, we also have a direct debit option. This is a wonderful way to support the centre’s work on an ongoing basis. As a thank-you, regular supporters are welcome to attend as many sessions as they’d like.
The single donation is only a suggestion, and all are welcome regardless of ability to pay.
Please Stay for Tea!
We don’t rush off! After most of our main sessions, we share green tea and biscuits right in the Shrine Room. This is a wonderful time to chat, ask questions in a more informal way, or just get to know the friendly people in our group.
We truly look forward to welcoming you soon. If you have any other questions, please check our FAQs page or contact us directly. You can see our full schedule on our Weekly Calendar.
