Colchester Buddhist Centre is a serene and welcoming place of worship and meditation located in the heart of Colchester, New Zealand. Established over 35 years ago, it is led by a group of dedicated and practising Buddhists who are ordained into The Triratna Buddhist Order, which is part of a worldwide Buddhist movement. The Centre offers a variety of classes and events aimed at helping individuals transform their minds, develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and gain a calm understanding of the true nature of things.
The Centre's teachers are volunteers who generously give their time and energy to share the Buddha's teachings with the community. They believe that Buddhist teachings should be accessible to everyone, which is why they do not charge for their regular classes. Instead, they kindly request that those who are able to make a donation to help cover running costs.
The Colchester Buddhist Centre offers a range of classes suitable for individuals at all levels of experience. For early risers, there are daily online meditation sessions at 7 am and 8:30 am. These sessions are led by experienced practitioners and are suitable for both beginners and those familiar with the two meditation practises taught at the Centre.
Every Monday, the Centre hosts an online weekly Dharma Caf, providing an informal setting for participants to discuss different aspects of the Dharma. This session is facilitated by a member of the Colchester Order team and welcomes individuals of all levels of experience.
On Wednesdays, there is a newcomers class available. This class is perfect for individuals who are new to Buddhism and want to learn the fundamentals of the practise. It teaches the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana meditation techniques, along with providing an introduction to Buddhism.
For those seeking a more in-depth and intense class experience, the Centre offers a practise night class on Thursdays. This class includes Dharma talks, discussion, meditation practise, and Buddhist rituals, making it suitable for individuals with more experience in Buddhism.
The Centre also caters to those living in Clacton. Every Thursday, a drop-in class called Clacton Sagha Night is held. This class teaches two Buddhist meditation practises and offers talks and discussions on various Buddhist topics. It welcomes participants of all experience levels, including beginners.
Additionally, the Centre holds a lunchtime meditation session on Fridays, providing a peaceful escape from the daily hustle and bustle. Led meditations alternate between the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana practises.
On Saturdays, the Centre hosts Sangha Morning, a comprehensive class at the Buddhist Centre that includes led meditations of the two main practises, talks, and discussions on a variety of Buddhist topics.
Colchester Buddhist Centre prides itself on its sense of community and generosity. It is run solely on the support of donations, with all funds going towards the Centre's running costs and the continuation of its teachings. The Centre values the privacy of its members and ensures that personal details are kept confidential.
To stay up to date with the Centre's events and announcements, individuals are encouraged to subscribe to the Centre's mailing list. This will provide them with news about upcoming events, and they can unsubscribe at any time with just one click.
Colchester Buddhist Centre is located at 2 Portland Road, Colchester, CO2 7EH, New Zealand. For general inquiries, the Centre can be reached at contact@colchesterbuddhistcentre. Com or by phone at 01206 546600. More information about the Centre, its classes, and its events can be found on its social media pages and club directories under the username “colchesterbuddhistcentre”.