✨ Our New Centre is Open! ✨

The Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Meditation Centre in Rochester has officially opened, a place dedicated to Healing, Helping and Harmony, guided by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

On 30 June –1 July 2025, Rinpoche led the joyful opening celebrations, with community festivities, interfaith blessings, traditional ceremonies, and inspiring teachings. The Centre is the first of its kind in the UK and has been made possible thanks to the generosity, dedication, and goodwill of countless volunteers, supporters, and local partners.

👉 Read more about the opening and the centre

 

Saga Dawa (Wesak) Festival

Sunday 31st May, 9.45am – 1.30pm
Bodhicharya UK Centre, Rochester

Wesak/Vesak is one of the most important festivals common to many Buddhist traditions. It celebrates the Buddha’s birth and for some it also marks his enlightenment and death (Parinirvana). It is seen as a time to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and what it means to be a Buddhist. However, everyone is welcome to join the celebration, to find out more about Buddhism and enjoy the occasion.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Wesak is celebrated as Saga Dawa, a month-long festival with the peak celebration on the full moon day in the fourth Tibetan lunar month which is 31st May this year.

As the Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre approaches its first birthday, our Wesak festival is fittingly the first time the three Buddhist traditions teaching from the centre (Tibetan, Chinese Zen and Japanese Jōdo Shinshū) are collaborating on a community event.

In many countries, Buddhists will visit their local temple or centre on Wesak Day for services and teaching, and typically give offerings of food, candles and flowers which you are invited to bring if you would like.

Free Event
This is a free event open to all. Any donations are welcome but not necessary to attend.

Please see here for more details

A Message from Ringu Tulku Rinpoche

A warm welcome to Bodhicharya UK!

Bodhicharya UK is a Buddhist charity and is part of a wider global family of Bodhicharya people, groups, centres and organisations found in 13 countries around the world and at 35 locations, all inspired by the Buddhist teachings and guided by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, an eminent Buddhist Master. The  activities of Bodhicharya UK are informed by Bodhicharya’s principles of Healing, Helping and Harmony.

Within the UK itself, there are various people and groups associated with Bodhicharya who work in line with our objectives by providing Buddhist teachings, courses and retreats, facilitating inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, or providing services to help support mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and those in need. Bodhicharya UK works to support these activities.

Here you will find information about our Patron Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, our Trustees and details about Bodhicharya UK’s objectives, projects and links to our affiliate groups and organisations. If you would like to get in touch, then please contact us here, as we will be happy to hear from you.

Wishing you Healing, Helping and Harmony in your life – The Bodhicharya UK Team.

Healing : Buddha Dharma is regarded to be the Science of Mind. There are facilities for the study and practise of Dharma and other ancient wisdoms originating from both Eastern and Western traditions, which provide a basis for healing body and mind.

Helping : Life is meaningless if we do not do something useful to benefit society and the world we live in. Bodhicharya has already funded schools, clinics, and hospices, and plans to generate similar projects in the future for the benefit of those in need.

Harmony : Peace and progress in the world is dependent upon the harmony of its people. Inter-religious, inter-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue and study are initiated to help bring better understanding and more harmony amongst communities worldwide.