Rinpoche’s visit and opening ceremony in June/July 2025 with the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Nina Gurung, and Sangha.
OPENING OF BODHICHARYA UK BUDDHIST MEDITATION CENTRE FOR HEALING, HELPING AND HARMONY
On 30th June and 1st of July 2025, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche officially opened the first Bodhicharya Buddhist Meditation Centre in the UK for Healing, Helping and Harmony in Medway, based in Rochester, Kent, and it was a most joyful and positive occasion for all involved.
On the 30th June, around 80 guests enjoyed the most delicious vegan food made by Russel and Bruce, a.k.a the Food Junkies, while experiencing Khaita Joyful Dance performed and taught by students of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche’s Dzogchen Community, which really contributed to the atmosphere of celebration.
After the festivities two Buddhist flags were raised, the non-sectarian Buddhist flag and the 16th Karmapa’s Dream flag with the help of Venerable Titthanyano from Ajahn Chah’s Thai Forest Sangha and Palden Tsultrim Yonten from Bodhicharya London.
Guests then listened to speeches from the Chairperson of Bodhicharya UK, Cesare, John from the Rochester Quaker House, who kindly and generously hosted Bodhicharya Kent there for 12 years, Beth from Medway Interfaith Action, Medway Councillor Nina Gurung and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. Everyone in their own ways highlighted the importance of working together with a non-sectarian (Rimè), interfaith and interdenominational approach that celebrates similarities, but also differences as Rinpoche explained that they are just as important due to how different approaches appeal to and benefit different people in different ways. The first day concluded with Buddhist prayers from the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana assembled sanghas and representatives.
On the 1st of July, sangha gathered midday for a Centre blessing ceremony conducted by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, who kindly explained that the ceremony helps stabilise the energy and elements of the space, remove any obstacles and invited all the Enlightened beings to come and inhabit the space and sacred objects within it. It was most moving. Then there was a lunch served for all in attendance.
In the evening the event began with a fundraising effort and raffle organised by Andy Lowe where lucky participants won calligraphy drawn by Rinpoche and a signed copy of his new book, ‘Timely Questions, Timeless Wisdom’, edited by Mary Heneghan, which raised over £600 for the Centre’s Shrine Project.
Rinpoche then proceeded to teach on the meaning of outer, inner and secret Buddhist Refuge, explaining that they are not that different really, other than the degree one recognises the Awakened nature as more or less separate from how and what we truly are here and now. To top it all off, Rinpoche performed the Refuge Ceremony for two participants who went for Refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and gave Bodhisattva Vows to those in the assembly who wished to receive them.
The evening and opening of the Centre concluded with participants offering their thanks and gratitude to Rinpoche by presenting a khata, making an offering and having a book signed by Rinpoche, while the sangha sang the mantra of great compassion, Om Mani Padme Hum.
All in all a most joyful and auspicious occasion for the Dharma and the opening of Bodhicharya UK.
A note from our Chair person:
“The Centre has come to be due to the good hearts, clear minds and skilful hands of many, many people over the years, both near and far, living and now past on, who have all contributed in various ways to the project. It would not have been been possible without the inspiration of Rinpoche and his example, encouragement, guidance and teachings. As well as Rinpoche I wish to thank all of our Bodhicharya brothers and sisters for their support and goodwill, especially Dirk de Klerk of Bodhicharya London, my dear friend and guide who encouraged me to start Bodhicharya Kent back in 2013 and speak to Rinpoche about doing so.I must also thank out Trustees, Michele Sisto, Jay Rao, Sally MacKinnon, Stuart McLeod and the late David Fry, who all too often are the unsung heroes as they quietly get on with their work and guidance diligently behind the scenes, but without which nothing would go well. We are also indebted to Medway Council, the steadfast support of the Deputy Leader Teresa Murray who from the outset of the Centre project through to its completion has been a constant force of progress. Councillor Nina Gurung who was Medway’s very first female, Nepalese and Buddhist Mayor at the outset of the Centre project and continued to support in various ways throughout, and David England who has arranged so many of the practicalities to make this all possible. David would even come to the Centre early in the morning before work to personally remove graffiti in his own time! It has been a joy and pleasure collaborating with the Council and we could not have wished for better partners or people to collaborate with. So, we look forward to a continuing fruitful relationship as we help support the Medway Community together.I must also mention our kind and generous benefactors, of which there have been many, with donations often coming at just the right time to keep the project moving forward. I would especially like to thank the Nina and the Nepalese community who gave so generously, as well as Margaret Richardson and Dirk de Klerk and everyone else who donated. Thank you also to those who have pledged to give an amount every month to help pay for the utilities and keep the Centre operational. And of course I must thank our most wonderful volunteers who did all the manual work and who contributed their energy, skill, creativity and hours upon hours of their free time since February. They have collectively created a most beautiful and peaceful space to be in with their meticulous attention to detail and a devotion to the project that surpassed all expectations. Special thanks goes to Peter S, Brad and Joe who became the back bone of the renovations team and for everyone that helped and contributed in any way. Also to Martha who coordinated the volunteers for the opening event and all the volunteers who worked so joyfully for the opening to be a success and welcome our guests with such warmth and hospitality. And most importantly, as Rinpoche always says, his host and even more importantly his cook, Sally for looking after Rinpoche and Bernie during their visit here with us.So, on the behalf of all sentient beings, from the bottom of our hearts, we truly and deeply thank everyone for their pure motivation, generosity, joyful and selfless efforts plus prayers and good wishes that have all helped towards creating this Centre. A Buddhist Meditation Centre dedicated to helping us heal and comeback home to ourselves and each other, what truly matters in life, a place to help those in need in whatever way we can, and foster harmony and understanding amongst peoples and diverse communities. All things that the world is in desperate need of. My hope is that as this Centre opens and its activities grow and develop, that it can be a beacon for all who are seeking refuge on stormy waves and that we can help provide a boat to help them to calmer shores, so they then too can ferry over others who are struggling at sea.And we will not do this alone, as this Centre, as well as hosting our Bodhicharya activities will also be home to the Kent Western Chan Fellowship and The Jodo Shinshu Tradition, under the steady leadership and guidance of our Dharma brothers, Stuart McLeod and David Quirk-Thornton, respectively. Furthermore, this isn’t only a place for Buddhists or people interested in Buddhism, so come September we shall begin opening our doors to other providers who are involved with activities that revolve around our key objectives of healing, helping and harmony, for the benefit of all.”– Cesare Saguato
Can you help?
We are reaching out to you now to ask for support with our fixed running costs such as rent, utilities and insurance [these will be around £450 per month], to see if you are able to support this project with a monthly offering that is comfortable and affordable to you. In this way the Centre, its activities and many volunteers can be unencumbered by the day to day financial burden of running costs and instead be fully focused on delivering the charity’s objectives.
You decide what monthly contribution you would like to offer, but here are some suggested amounts:
£5.00 monthly – Supporter
£10.00 monthly – Founder
£15.00 monthly – Patron
UK Bank Transfer
If you would like to contribute in this way, then please contact your bank to set up a monthly payment schedule starting 1st February 2025, remembering every amount really does help. Thank you for your generosity.
BCUK Bank details:
Cooperative Bank plc
Name of Account: Bodhicharya UK
Account no: 67222546
Sort code: 08 92 99
Please Reference: New Centre Fund
Online Donation
Alternatively to setting up a bank transfer, you can make a regular donation via PayPal using the following link. Simply click on either ‘monthly’ or ‘yearly’ and choose your donation amount.
BODHICHARYA UK CENTRE MANAGER: VOLUNTEERING POSITION OPEN
JOB DESCRIPTION
Introduction
This role will give the postholder the opportunity to support the healing, helping and harmony of people in Medway, Kent and beyond. The Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Meditation Centre in Rochester, Kent, UK, is under the direction of Bodhicharya UK, a Buddhist charity registered in the UK. It 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 post holder will therefore be an important part of this welcoming and inspiring community, and we encourage applicants who resonate with the Bodhicharya ethos and are dedicated to helping put this vision into practice to apply.
The Centre Manager Role
The Centre Manager is ultimately responsible for seeing that all necessary tasks for the smooth running and upkeep of the Centre are carried out, but they will work in collaboration with other key volunteers on the Centre Team (please see below) and will therefore be expected to delegate tasks to those volunteers. The Centre Manager will also be able to create new volunteer roles to help with the smooth running of the Centre as they see fit, with the help of the Volunteer Coordinator.
The Centre Manager’s Core Responsibilities
Managing Center hire: responding to inquiries, showing potential hirers around (or delegated to other volunteers via the Volunteer Coordinator), making hirers aware of relevant policies and procedures for renting, issuing hire agreements and ensuring payments are made in collaboration with the Treasurer/keeping hire agreements up to date for long standing users.
Maintain an online and readily accessible booking calendar.
Ensuring that the right utilities are in place and provide regular meter readings for the Treasurer who will ensure payment of utilities.
Maintain a file of hard copy/electronic copy of key centre documents e.g. insurance, lease agreement, hire agreements, risk assessments etc and make sure they are kept updated and are fit for purpose in collaboration with the Health and Safety Officer.
Managing Centre consumables e.g. toilet rolls, cleaning products, tea, coffee etc (or delegated to another volunteer via the Volunteer Coordinator)
Regular liaison with other key roles in the Centre Team – notably the Volunteer Coordinator, the Spiritual Programme Coordinator, the Building Maintenance Manager/Health and Safety Officer and chair of BCUK, to ensure use of the Centre in keeping with charity aims and wider legal requirements.
Managing the budget: the Centre Manager will be allocated an annual budget by the Trustees for the maintenance of the centre. The Manager will manage the resources autonomously within the agreed budget and will track the expenses for reporting. The Manager will raise a request to the Trustees if more funding is needed for any given reason.
Creating and filling any additional volunteer roles you see fit for the smooth running of the Centre.
The Centre Manager’s Responsibilities to Oversee
These responsibilities are not to be directly actioned by the Centre Manager themself, but by other members of the Center Team. The Centre Manager can allocate tasks, but then the relevant volunteer is responsible for completing them. The Centre Manager’s responsibility is then to check with the team member at an appropriate time to ensure the task is being completed in a timely manner, as well as discuss and brainstorm together any issues that may be preventing the task from being completed.
Repair and replacement of furnishings – i.e. items used in the building e.g. crockery, cutlery, kettle etc in collaboration with the Building Maintenance Manager and the Volunteer Coordinator.
Cleaning tasks in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Maintenance and fixes to the building as required in collaboration with the Building Maintenance Manager and/or Medway Council depending on who is responsible as outlined in the lease agreement– within a budget agreed with the Treasurer.
In liaison with the Board of Trustees, managing any complaints related to BCUK building keeping a log of issues/who registered the complaint when/how resolved.
Ensuring building services are in working order and overseeing fixes as necessary in collaboration with the Building Maintenance Manager and/or Medway Council as is appropriate.
Ensuring the keysafe, shutters and gutters are in good working order in collaboration with the Building Maintenance Manager and that keys are available for use at the centre as required (the manager will have a full spare set of keys for the centre and the toilet block).
Appointment
● This role will be appointed by the Trustees after a full discussion with anyone nominating themselves to undertake the role.
● There will be a 3 month probationary period.
● The person will be appointed for a minimum of 1 year reviewed annually.
Responsible to
Board of Trustees, with a representative of the Board liaising with the Centre Manager every other month, as a minimum, to review how things are going and ensure any practical difficulties are being resolved quickly.
Linked Volunteer Roles
The Centre Manager will be expected to work closely with the Building Maintenance/Health and Safety Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator, the Spiritual Programme Coordinator, as well as the Trustees and Chair of the Trustees as required by the policy framework.
Expected Commitment
This being a new role for a new centre, we expect that the initial commitment may require slightly longer hours at the beginning and gradually less as things are settled. It is reasonable to think the role will require on average around 4 to 6 hours a week, which can be managed flexibly throughout the week.
THE CENTRE MANAGER ROLE IS UNPAID.
The Centre manager role will not be paid and will be a volunteer position only, as per Bodhichary UK Volunteer Policy.
How to apply
Please email uk@bodhicharya.org to express your interest, with a brief outline of relevant experience, why you would like to take on this role and how you would manage the time commitment. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bodhicharya UK Annual Report
The Bodhicharya UK annual report for the previous year has been released and is available to view in full here.
The report summarises all of the activities undertaken by Bodhicharya UK in 2023 and our upcoming plans for the next 12 months.