Buddhist Centre
The Lam Rim Bristol Trust oversees the whole building. The ground floor and the first floor hall are used by the Centre for Whole Health. The first floor cafe and kitchen are for shared used. The Buddhist Centre itself (where we hear teachings, reflect, discuss and meditate) is on the top floor.
The Buddhist Centre was established under the guidance of the Spiritual Director, the late Ven. Geshe Damcho Yonten. The Patron is H.E. Rizong Rinpoche, the 102nd Ganden Tripa. A past patron was the late Denma Locho Rinpoche.
Shrine Room
In the shrine room, we hold evening and weekend meetings to learn and practise meditation and to hear and discuss Buddha’s teachings.
Until his passing in August 2017, we were fortunate to have teachings from our spiritual director, Venerable Geshe Damcho Yonten from Drepung Loseling Monastery. These followed the Tibetan Gelug-pa tradition. Geshe-la was a lharampa Geshe who taught in the UK for over 40 years. He maintained regular contact with the monastery and under his guidance we hosted visits from other teachers and monks.
Currently, students of Geshe-la lead discussions on Thursday evenings based on the Buddha’s teachings, texts from Indian and Tibetan Buddhist sages and from the teachings that Geshe-la gave.
There are also occasional weekend visits from Geshes and other teachers, often in conjunction with our friends from Jamyang Bath.
Library
We have a library on the top floor with a large collection of books from a variety of Buddhist traditions. This has been well-stocked over the years by generous donations from visitors of the Centre. There are reference books that remain at the Centre and a lending library that is free to join on completion of a membership form.
One may visit the library to sit and read, although this may not always be possible if there is nobody else in the Centre at the time.
The library also serves as an office for the Buddhist Centre and the Centre for Whole Health. WiFi is available to visitors.
Shop
There is a selection of books and other articles for sale, such as incense, malas (rosaries), nightlight holders, bowls and offering scarves.
Income from the bookshop is donated to Gya House in Drepung Loseling Monastery.
In addition to the top floor shop, other articles are available in reception, the proceeds from which go to the Tibet Support Group.
Adjacent to the shop there is a rack with free introductory leaflets on various aspects of Buddhism.
Cafe
The cafe is a self-serve refreshment area (solely for users of the Centre) where you can buy drinks and wholefood snacks. It is shared by all users of the Centre. After the evening meetings, tea and biscuits are available in the cafe. And during weekend course, there is a shared lunch usually with freshly-cooked soup.
The cafe is a self-serve refreshment area (solely for users of the Centre) where you can buy drinks and wholefood snacks. It is shared by all users of the Centre. After the evening meetings, tea and biscuits are available in the cafe. And during weekend course, there is a shared lunch usually with freshly-cooked soup.
Main Hall
The Main Hall is used mainly by the Centre for Whole Health. However, it is sometimes used by the Buddhist Centre for visits by major teachers, such as Rizong Rinpoche, Denma Locho Rinpoche and other well-attended events that cannot be accommodated in the shrine room.
Teacher’s Room
There is private accommodation reserved for special visiting teachers that was used mainly by our late Spiritual Director, Ve. Geshe Damcho Yonten.
This room was first used by Rizong Rinpoche in May 1990. At the time Rinpoche was the abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Resident’s Room
The resident’ room is private accommodation used by various residents over the years, lay people and ordained monks.
Supporting the Centre
Activities at the Lam Rim Bristol Buddhist Centre are overseen by the Lam Rim Bristol Trust (a registered charity), which is run with help from a group of volunteers. This is supported financially by the Centre for Whole Health – a limited company run by volunteer directors that rents out therapy rooms on the ground floor and the main hall on the first floor.
On the ground floor, complementary medicine offered is through experienced therapists practising many therapies. They currently include Acupuncture, Counselling, Homoeopathy, Massage and Osteopathy. On the first floor, courses in Tai Chi, yoga, massage, shiatsu etc. are offered during the day, in the evening and at weekends. More details are available on their website.
Other Information
The Centre is tranquil, relaxed and peaceful. All activities at the Centre are in harmony with the Buddhist principles of care and concern for others. All that is required from visitors is to refrain from anything that could disturb the peaceful environment. Several users of the Lam Rim Bristol Centre are either Buddhists or have an interest in Buddhism, but the spiritual programme sometimes attracts people from other faiths and those without any particular beliefs.
Lam Rim Bristol was a founder member of the Network of Buddhist Organisations that began its activities by arranging the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the UK in 1996 to teach the Four Noble Truths. Lam Rim Bristol was also involved in organising His Holiness’ teachings in Glasgow in 2004 and in Nottingham in 2008. Locally, Lam Rim Bristol was a founder member of the Bristol Inter Faith Group in 1990.
Last Updated on 15th March 2020