The Bodhicharya UK Centre in Rochester, Kent, is home to three local Buddhist groups from Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese traditions.
It is also a place where third-party groups who are motivated by the Bodhicharya principles of Healing, Helping and Harmony rent and run their activities from.
Bodhicharya Kent meets every Tuesday at 8pm – 9:30pm in term time, both in-person and online.
Founded in 2013 under the guidance of Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and facilitated by Cesare Saguato, Bodhicharya Kent offers a space to learn and practise Buddhist meditation and explore the teachings of the Buddha in a warm and inclusive setting.
The group is based within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and is focused around learning and practising various forms of Buddhist meditation, as well as reflecting on and discussing the Buddhist teachings. However everyone is welcome, whether you are a Buddhist from the same or different tradition, a practitioner of another faith, someone who is curious about Buddhism or you are simply looking to learn about Buddhist meditation and begin to integrate its many benefits into your daily life.
We have regular weekly meetings, day and weekend retreats and other special events throughout the year. As well as our regular group facilitator, we also have visiting senior teachers from the Bodhicharya family, including an annual visit by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.
Bodhicharya Kent is Bodhicharya UK in Rochester, a registered charity with the UK Charity Commission (1190768) and part of the Bodhicharya family; a world-wide network of people, centres and organisations taking various forms at 35 locations in 13 countries, all inspired and guided by the Buddhist teachings and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. Our guiding principles are: Healing – Helping – Harmony.
Address: Bodhicharya UK, Jacksons Field, New Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1DX
To find out more about Bodhicharya Kent please see here.
The Kent Chan Group meets every Thursday from 7.30–9.30pm, both in person and online.
Each session includes two 25–30 minute sitting meditations, mindful movement (qigong), tea, a short talk or reading on a Buddhist or Chan theme, and group discussion.
The group operates on a drop-in basis, and newcomers and beginners are warmly welcome. Once a month, there is an “extended practice evening” for those wishing to deepen their meditation practice.
Address: Bodhicharya UK, Jacksons Field, New Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1DX
To find out more about Kent Chan Group please see here.
The Jōdo Shinshū group hold a family Buddhist service on the first Sunday of each month 11 – 12am.
The service is led by Rev. David, an ordained Jōdo Shinshū priest. Jōdo Shinshū is the largest Buddhist denomination in Japan with a significant presence also in Brazil, USA, Canada and now a growing community in Europe. Jōdo Shinshū is truly inclusive and the service welcomes all.
As part of the service, we remember those who have gone before us and if you would like a loved one listed in the remembrances please give their name to David-sensei before the service.
Address: Bodhicharya UK, Jacksons Field, New Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1DX
To find out more about the Jōdo Shinshū group please see here.
To contact Rev. David please email: david@quirke-thornton.com
Our calendar includes regular meditation groups, day and weekend retreats, special teachings, visiting teachers, community gatherings and what is on offer from our third-party renters and friends.
For room bookings or enquiries about hosting events at the Bodhicharya UK Centre, please contact John, the Centre Manager, at: bcukcentre@Bodhicharya.org.
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White Tara Study and Practice 11:00 to 13:00 with Cesare
26 April 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Yoga Class - 19:00 to 20:00 with Nina Long
27 April 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
How to work with the Kleshas - 20:00 to 21:30 with Tsering Paldron (https://bodhicharya-kent.org/bodhicharya-kent/)
28 April 2026 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Bodhicharya Kent – Bodhicharya-Kent
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09
Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887
We are delighted that Tsering will be with us for our regular Tuesday Buddhist study, reflection and meditation on the 28th April. Beginners and experienced practitioners alike are all welcome.
In Buddhism, the root of all of our human problems and suffering is said to be the “kleshas” (mind poisons) or negative emotions. We can all experience anxiety, fear and confusion, not being able to let go and painful, clinging desires, anger and hatred, pride and jealousy. These negative emotions cause suffering for ourselves and others and are part of our human experience, but they are not the totality of it and so can be transformed and liberated for our benefit and the benefit of others. In this evening teaching, Tsering will share how we can work with our negative emotions by sharing insights and practices from the Buddhist tradition and her lived experience, that can help us deal with them in our lives in a good way.
Tai Chi Movements for Well Being - 19:00 to 20:15 with Stuart McLeod
29 April 2026 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
£70 (full fee) or £20 (supported fee)
Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) is a unique blend of gentle movement with awareness, offering physical, mental and emotional benefits. Over the six weeks of the course, you will learn the 12-move TMW Flex Sequence and by the end be able to guide yourself through the whole practice.
Chan Buddhist Group 19:30 to 21:30 with Stuart
30 April 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
UNAVAILABLE
1 May 2026 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Weekend Retreat (A Steady Heart in an Unsteady World) - 09:30 to 17:00 with Tsering Paldron
2 May 2026 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
In-Person Booking
Online Booking
For more info Click Here
We are delighted that Tsering will guide a weekend, non-residential, retreat at the BCUK Centre. The retreat is open to all, beginners and experienced practitioners alike are most welcome.
Over these two days, Tsering will skilfully guide us through exploring how we can cultivate and maintain a steady heart in a world that increasingly appears unsteady, unstable and uncertain. As practitioners we need to develop the ability to stay open, aware and responsive in difficult times, without becoming too caught up and overwhelmed with what is going on around and inside ourselves. Then we can see clearly and act wisely in our lives, in society and the world at large.
In more Buddhist terms, we will explore how the relative truth and the ultimate truth are consolidated in our practice and daily lives and how we can find the balance between view and action. How can we hold an open, wise and spacious view and prevent our activities and engagement in the world from smothering it, and at the same time how can we make sure our open and spacious view doesn’t turn into a way to avoid engaging with the nuts and bolts of our lives and the world in a genuinely compassionate way.
Weekend Retreat (A Steady Heart in an Unsteady World) - 09:30 to 17:00 with Tsering Paldron
3 May 2026 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
In-Person Booking
Online Booking
For more info Click Here
We are delighted that Tsering will guide a weekend, non-residential, retreat at the BCUK Centre. The retreat is open to all, beginners and experienced practitioners alike are most welcome.
Over these two days, Tsering will skilfully guide us through exploring how we can cultivate and maintain a steady heart in a world that increasingly appears unsteady, unstable and uncertain. As practitioners we need to develop the ability to stay open, aware and responsive in difficult times, without becoming too caught up and overwhelmed with what is going on around and inside ourselves. Then we can see clearly and act wisely in our lives, in society and the world at large.
In more Buddhist terms, we will explore how the relative truth and the ultimate truth are consolidated in our practice and daily lives and how we can find the balance between view and action. How can we hold an open, wise and spacious view and prevent our activities and engagement in the world from smothering it, and at the same time how can we make sure our open and spacious view doesn’t turn into a way to avoid engaging with the nuts and bolts of our lives and the world in a genuinely compassionate way.
Yoga Class - 19:00 to 20:00 with Nina Long
4 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Buddhist Meditation, Reflection and Study - 20:00 to 21:30 with Cesare (https://bodhicharya-kent.org/bodhicharya-kent/)
5 May 2026 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Bodhicharya Kent – Bodhicharya-Kent
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09
Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887
These meetings are open to all people who are new or who are familiar with Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. On the first Tuesday of the month we will spend a little more time explaining the Buddhist perspective on life and the meaning of the Refuge Prayer we begin our sessions with, but everyone is welcome at any of our meetings and you can begin anytime. The group is made up of the participants, so active engagement, questions, reflections and discussion are welcome, however, if you prefer to just sit back, listen, reflect and take it in, then that is perfectly okay too.
There are comfortable chairs and meditation cushions available and refreshments are provided.
Tai Chi Movements for Well Being - 19:00 to 20:15 with Stuart McLeod
6 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
£70 (full fee) or £20 (supported fee)
Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) is a unique blend of gentle movement with awareness, offering physical, mental and emotional benefits. Over the six weeks of the course, you will learn the 12-move TMW Flex Sequence and by the end be able to guide yourself through the whole practice.
Chan Buddhist Group 19:30 to 21:30 with Stuart
7 May 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
White Tara Study and Practice 11:00 to 13:00 with Cesare
10 May 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Yoga Class - 19:00 to 20:00 with Nina Long
11 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Buddhist Meditation, Reflection and Study - 20:00 to 21:30 with Cesare (https://bodhicharya-kent.org/bodhicharya-kent/)
12 May 2026 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Bodhicharya Kent – Bodhicharya-Kent
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09
Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887
These meetings are open to all people who are new or who are familiar with Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. On the first Tuesday of the month we will spend a little more time explaining the Buddhist perspective on life and the meaning of the Refuge Prayer we begin our sessions with, but everyone is welcome at any of our meetings and you can begin anytime. The group is made up of the participants, so active engagement, questions, reflections and discussion are welcome, however, if you prefer to just sit back, listen, reflect and take it in, then that is perfectly okay too.
There are comfortable chairs and meditation cushions available and refreshments are provided.
Tai Chi Movements for Well Being - 19:00 to 20:15 with Stuart McLeod
13 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
£70 (full fee) or £20 (supported fee)
Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) is a unique blend of gentle movement with awareness, offering physical, mental and emotional benefits. Over the six weeks of the course, you will learn the 12-move TMW Flex Sequence and by the end be able to guide yourself through the whole practice.
Chan Buddhist Group 19:30 to 21:30 with Stuart
14 May 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
White Tara Study and Practice 11:00 to 13:00 with Cesare
17 May 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Yoga Class - 19:00 to 20:00 with Nina Long
18 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Buddhist Meditation, Reflection and Study - 20:00 to 21:30 with Cesare (https://bodhicharya-kent.org/bodhicharya-kent/)
19 May 2026 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
Bodhicharya Kent – Bodhicharya-Kent
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89795662518?pwd=VW9GVC9pTjExZ0gwTzhoVmJJWlZqdz09
Meeting ID: 897 9566 2518
Password: 700887
These meetings are open to all people who are new or who are familiar with Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. On the first Tuesday of the month we will spend a little more time explaining the Buddhist perspective on life and the meaning of the Refuge Prayer we begin our sessions with, but everyone is welcome at any of our meetings and you can begin anytime. The group is made up of the participants, so active engagement, questions, reflections and discussion are welcome, however, if you prefer to just sit back, listen, reflect and take it in, then that is perfectly okay too.
There are comfortable chairs and meditation cushions available and refreshments are provided.
Tai Chi Movements for Well Being - 19:00 to 20:15 with Stuart McLeod
20 May 2026 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
£70 (full fee) or £20 (supported fee)
Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) is a unique blend of gentle movement with awareness, offering physical, mental and emotional benefits. Over the six weeks of the course, you will learn the 12-move TMW Flex Sequence and by the end be able to guide yourself through the whole practice.
Chan Buddhist Group 19:30 to 21:30 with Stuart
21 May 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bodhicharya UK Buddhist Centre, New Rd, Rochester ME1 1DX, UK
For room bookings or enquiries about hosting events at the Bodhicharya UK Centre, please contact John, the Centre Manager, at bcukcentre@Bodhicharya.org.
Support the centre here.