Outside the Buddhist Society, there are plenty of events organised by communities related to Buddhism and meditation, in and around Cambridge. Our city’s strategic location also allows easy access to monasteries and temples elsewhere in the UK. Meanwhile, meditating regularly with a group is one effective way to develop a lifelong habit of meditation.
Below is a list of buddhist / meditation groups based in Cambridge, and a list of monasteries and temples in and around Cambridge.
If you would like to suggest a group / monastery / temple to be included here, or if the description need an update, please drop an email to the committee at cambridgebuddhistsoc@gmail.com and we are more than happy to edit this list!
Local buddhist groups
A note on choosing a meditation group:
There are many kinds of meditation and just as many different groups for you to sample. Feel free to experiment with the different groups until one seems right for you.
Some guiding questions that may help with your decision-making include:
Are you comfortable with the teacher (if there is one), the group, and the tradition?
Is there openness, honesty, respect for other groups and traditions?
If you’re looking at trying meditation for the first time, or if you would just like some advice on choosing a meditation group in Cambridge, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the committee.
Cambridge University Samatha Society
http://www.cusamatha.org.uk/courses.php
http://www.samatha.org/cambridge
Cambridge University Samatha Society teaches a meditation on the breath for developing calm, clarity (samatha and vipassana) and mindfulness. The tradition is Theravadin (southern) Buddhist, but the University classes teach meditation, not Buddhism. There are two types of courses: an ongoing weekly structured meditation course, which explores many aspects of practice, and short introductory courses. The short courses function either as an introduction to basic meditation and mindfulness, after which you can join the ongoing course, or as stand-alone courses for helping with stress and anxiety. All classes are free!
Contacts: Philip coo@eng.cam.ac.uk, Lívia lrds2@cam.ac.uk or Oliver ofm23@cam.ac.uk
Cambridge Buddhist Centre / The Triratna Buddhist Community
38 Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8DT
(Near Grafton Centre)
https://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XBVAQQFsP6xEnwk96
The Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) have a centre in Cambridge at 38 Newmarket Road where they hold a number of meditation classes. There are drop-in classes where beginners can learn meditation, and those with more experience can meet and meditate together. These sessions are free and cushions are provided. The centre runs regular courses on meditation and Buddhism. There is also a weekly students’ group. Other activities at the centre include a Puja on Fridays.
Cambridge Serene Reflection (Zen) Meditation Group
https://sites.google.com/site/cambsrmgroup/
We are a group practising in the Soto Zen tradition, affiliated to the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. We welcome people from other Buddhist or non-Buddhist traditions, or people who have no religious affiliation, who are comfortable following these forms and practices. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, in the evening, at the Friends Meeting House in Hartington Grove. We get together to meditate, share readings and experience: to practice. Sometimes we have a visit and talk from a Monk, to listen and talk to him or her about their teaching and advice.
If you would like to find out more about the Cambridge Serene Reflection meditation group and Zen Buddhism and give the practice a try, then simply contact either of the two Lay Ministers who are licensed to give mediation instruction:
Richard Potter
07547 132551
Eleanor Richards
07866 502640
cambsrmgroup@gmail.com
Wake Up Cambridge
Wake Up Cambridge is a group for young people (18+, no upper age limit) to come together and practice mindfulness and meditation. All are welcome! It is part of the Plum Village tradition of Buddhist practice, but no prior meditation experience or affiliation with Buddhism is required attend.
For more information on Wake Up, please refer to https://wkup.org/about/
Contact details (for queries, and details of meeting times):
Instagram: @wakeup.Cambridge
Email address: wakeupcambridge@gmail.com
Facebook: Wake Up Cambridge
Community of Interbeing meditation group
https://www.interbeing.org.uk/
The Community of Interbeing meditation group meets on Wednesday evenings, and also holds a day of mindfulness once a month (the 3rd Sunday). Following the teachings of the Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the group practises sitting and walking meditation (20 minutes each sitting, walking, sitting) usually followed by a reading. Twice a month there are discussions on the Buddha’s teaching and people share with each other how their practice is going. There is no formal teaching in the group, but beginners are welcome and can find teaching in Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, or by going on retreat with him in Plum Village in France.
Cambridge Amaravati Group
camamarav@googlemail.com
The Cambridge Amaravati Group grew from a few local Buddhists, who were interested in the teachings from Amaravati Buddhist monastery near Hemel Hempstead, and the other monasteries of the Forest Sangha tradition. They meet fortnightly on Sunday evenings in the members homes to meditate together for about 45 minutes, with a brief Buddhist ceremony beforehand and tea and a chat afterwards. The type of meditation practiced is vipassana or insight meditation. The group functions as a way for meditators to come together, rather than as a taught class, and is open and sociable. Over the years people have joined who are interested in different forms of vipassana meditation, or in different Buddhist traditions altogether. The group also acts as a contact point for people interested in visiting Amaravati, to find out more directly about this sort of meditation and Buddhist way of life.
Cambridge Gaia House Meditation Groups
https://gaiahouse.co.uk/local-meditation-groups/
cambridgeinsight@gmail.com
The Cambridge Gaia House Meditation Groups are three groups for people who wish to practise meditation and mindful living in everyday life. They practise meditation techniques derived from the Buddhist tradition, but do not necessarily consider themselves Buddhists. Most practise insight meditation, although the groups aim to provide an environment in which a variety of practices, beliefs and approaches can be aired and shared. Group members need to be self reliant enough in their practice to meditate for 45 minutes without guidance. The groups also host a number of open day retreats each year – see the website for details.
Monasteries and temples
We organise regular group visits to temples and monasteries! Join our mailing list for upcoming events. If you are in charge of outreach events for your monastery / temple and would like to host a visit at some point in the future, we are more than happy to discuss further!
📌 Cambridge AND NEARBY TOWNS
Cambridge Buddhist Temple (Cambridge Buddhist Vihara)
214 Cromwell Rd, Cambridge CB1 3EQ
(Near Asda / Beehive Centre)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XrVs5SCmNCAnhf76A
Marpa House
Rectory Ln, Ashdon, Saffron Walden CB10 2HN
http://www.marpahouse.org.uk/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SToFg2TFCL9pTdMj6
📌 LONDON
Buddhapadipa Temple
14 Calonne Rd, London SW19 5HJ
Nearest tube station: Wimbledon
https://www.watbuddhapadipa.org/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/czekW8PxZdhwSiSk8
Fo Guang Shan London Temple
84 Margaret St, London W1W 8TD
Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
https://londonfgs.org.uk/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCNqmV1b8MgMR7Tf6
Kagyu Samye Dzong London Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre
15 Spa Rd, London SE16 3SA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJdvyKmj9NA84DHv6
https://www.london.samye.org/
Nearest tube station: Bermondsey / London Bridge
📌 AROUND LONDON
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
St Margarets, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3BZ
https://amaravati.org/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPb82pTBdujc86KV6
Chithurst Buddhist Monastery (Cittaviveka)
Chithurst, Petersfield GU31 5EU
Nearest national rail station: Petersfield (then a bus / taxi to the monastery)
https://www.cittaviveka.org/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tvBJWX1rcYz2zc9E8
Wat Sri Intra Atula
Copthorne, Crawley RH10 3JD
Nearest national rail station: Three Bridges
https://watsriintraatula.org.uk/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mNJGWe8Svz1cjAmP7
📌 OTHER PARTS OF THE UK
Oxford Buddha Vihara (Forest of Dean)
Park Farm Park Lane, St Briavels GL15 6QX
Nearest national rail stations: Gloucester, Lydney, Chepstow
https://www.oxfordbuddhavihara.org.uk/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/idoMqMiM82MnaoWg9
Harnham Buddhist Monastery (Aruna Ratanagiri)
2 Harnham Hall Cottages, Harnham, Belsay, Northumberland NE20 0HF
Nearest national rail station: Newcastle
Nearest Tyne & Wear metro station: Newcastle Airport station
https://ratanagiri.org.uk/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/47KHr2c2svL6P7h69