Meditate in South London

About us

Dorjechang Buddhist Centre, located in Wimbledon, is a residential community of both lay and ordained practitioners. The purpose of the Centre is to offer people the opportunity to learn meditation and the practices of Kadampa Buddhism. It is the main Kadampa Buddhist Centre in South London and provides classes throughout South London, Kent and Surrey.

Throughout the year we run a range of meditation classes, retreats, day courses, half day courses and study programmes to help people from all backgrounds and walks of life find inner peace and happiness in their lives.

The Centre hosts a warm, friendly and diverse community, and provides a calm and inspiring space in which to unwind and let go of the busyness of daily life. A place to find peace (and laughter), listen and discuss. There is a beautiful, peaceful meditation room which houses a traditional Buddhist shrine and a community area which includes a shop with a range of meditation books, statues and other items for Buddhist practice.

The Community

A diverse group of people who share a wish to find real inner peace in their lives through the meditational advice received in classes and texts, as well as an intention to put the teachings into practice according to individual capacity and wish.  Being part of a spiritual community supports our practice of meditation as we encourage one another along the journey toward inner peace.

A Meaningful Life

Our activities involve opportunities to make many new friends, engaging in group prayers and meditation and if you wish, the chance to put your talents and ability to good use by volunteering some of your time at the Centre.  Activities range from arranging beautiful offerings, cooking, cleaning, various administrative tasks and other practical work.

Part of a Global Network

Another aspect of the community is our global family which meets three times a year at the International Festivals where people gather from over 40 different countries. The Spring and Summer Festivals are held at our main Centre in the Lake District, Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre. Festivals provide an extraordinary opportunity to listen to teachings from senior practitioners and enjoy and soak up the essence of what it means to live as a Kadampa Buddhist. About 2,500 people gather together from around the world, from a range of backgrounds and levels of practice.

The Festivals are run by volunteers, each Centre taking on an area of responsibility, giving the members of that community an opportunity to work together as a team.  The members of the South London Buddhist Centre get together in the evenings to clean the kitchens after meals have been cooked for 2,500 people!

Attending the Festivals is an amazing method to deepen experience of the teachings and be inspired by many extraordinary examples of practitioners who have realised the joy of Buddha’s teachings in their hearts. Dorjechang Centre is one of many Kadampa Buddhist Centres worldwide, see www.kadampa.org for more information.

For details on where we are located, please see our Contact Us page.