Retreats

At KMC Plymouth

Everyone is welcome, no previous experience needed

Membership is not required to attend these retreats, but they are free to members

Everyone is Welcome!

Retreats are an ideal opportunity to take time out from our busy everyday lives and enjoy time to engage in meditation, letting go of our daily concerns to focus on training our mind and furthering our spiritual development in the peace and tranquillity of KMC Plymouth.

Everyone is welcome at our retreats and if this is your first time attending a particular event, there will be plenty of experienced meditators present who will be only too pleased to help and advise you. Beginners are most welcome.

Generally you can attend as many or few of the sessions in a retreat as you choose but we recommend doing as many as you can in order to gain the most benefit.

Our World Peace Café is usually open between sessions for light refreshments and there are plenty of cafes on Mutley Plain if you would like to go out for lunch on a full day retreat.

Types of Retreats and Attending

For more advice and information about our different retreat formats and events, please click the link to the bottom of this page:

Long Life Retreat

Free Unguided Day Retreat

Saturday 14th February 

9.00am-5.15pm


Long Life Retreat

Everyone is welcome!

To enjoy a meaningful human life, we need a long life and wisdom. Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, wisdom, and merit, has the power to bestow upon us immeasurably long life, profound wisdom and great good fortune. During this one-day retreat, we will engage in beautiful chanted prayers, meditations, and mantra recitation requesting blessings for ourselves and others to enjoy a long, happy and meaningful life.

Please note that there will be no teachings or guided meditations during these retreat sessions.

It is traditional for Kadampa centres across the world to engage in short retreat on this beautiful practice early in the year and everyone is welcome to any or all of the sessions. No previous experience required.

For those with no previous experience, there will be plenty of experienced practitioners present who will be happy to advise and help you.

Please note that there will be no teachings or guided meditations during these retreat sessions.

Saturday 14th February
Retreat Session 1: 9am
Retreat Session 2: 11am
Retreat Session 3: 2pm
Prayers Session: 4pm – Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers (without offerings)

All retreat sessions are unguided and will include prayers and a meditation, each lasting approximately 75minutes. The Wishfulfulling Jewel Prayers at 4pm will also last approximately 75minutes.

Our Coffee Bar will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

This event is FREE to attend for everyone, and everyone is welcome! There is no need to book for this event, simply turn up on the day for any or all of the sessions.

Nyungnay Purifying Ritual Practice

Free Unguided Retreat Event

Tuesday 14th &

Wednesday 15th April 

Various Times


Nyungnay Retreat

This special fasting and purification practice is traditionally done by Kadampa Centres worldwide around the anniversary of Buddha’s Enlightenment on 15th April.

Within the practice of Mahayana Precepts, this retreat involves fasting and making three sessions of prostrations, with the prayer booklet, ‘Drop of Essential Nectar’, over two days.

Everyone is welcome at this free event but please contact the centre if you have not engaged in the practice before. You can contact us HERE.

All attendees, whether attending for one day or both, must attend and undertake the Precepts session at the start of each day in order to attend the other sessions on that day.

Please use the doorbell to gain entry for the sessions running before 11am each day if the front door is locked.

Please note there is a slight difference in the schedule for the third session on each day:

Tuesday 14th April: 6.30am, 7am, 9am, 2pm
Wednesday 15th April: 6.30am, 7am, 10am, 2pm

This practice is free to attend for everyone, and everyone is welcome. There is no need to book, simply turn up on the day but please read the important notes below.

Learning to Let Go

Half-Day Urban Retreat

Saturday 16th May

10am-1.30pm


Learning to Let Go

This half-day urban retreat gives the opportunity to immerse ourselves in short teachings combined with long guided meditations. We will have the time and space to literally “let go”.

We all have things we do not want to keep in our minds – regrets, disappointments, shame, anger or simply painful memories. It’s easy to understand why we should let go of these things but harder to do. So this practical event will enable us to foster the helpful, positive states of mind which can allow us to finally let go of what ails us.

But, there are also many things, people and places we hold on to, hold near and dear, either not wanting to be parted from them or craving the chance to enjoy them. There is nothing wrong with desiring nice things, to be with nice people or in nice places, but when we understand that the very things we desire and think cause us happiness are often the cause of our unhappiness, we can also let those desires go too. Gently moving away from our old ways of thinking to bring about a new wiser understanding of these things, frees us to enjoy them without the tight, grasping mind which so often eventually causes us pain.

Saturday 16th May

Session 1: 10am–10.45am
Session 2: 11.30am–12.15pm
Session 3: 12.45pm–1.30pm

Each sessions includes a short teaching and guided meditations.

Our World Peace Café will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

Individual Tickets: £15

Pay on the door by cash or card

OR

Book in advance online via our Box Office:


All Members Attend for Free

This event is free to members

These events are suitable for everyone. No previous experience needed. Everyone is welcome.

Enjoy the benefits of more time to meditate, the opportunity to meet and talk with others and the chance to take some time out in the peaceful atmosphere of KMC Plymouth.

Each sessions consists of:

  • a guided relaxation meditation
  • a short practical teaching
  • a second meditation with guidance based on the teaching

There is a break for light refreshments in our World Peace Café between sessions.

At the end of the event there is the option to ask the Teacher questions, whilst during the breaks there is the chance to discuss the teachings and meditationsat with fellow attendees.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth,
48-50 Mutley Plain,
Plymouth,
PL4 6LE

Offering Our Faith Day Retreat

Free Unguided Day Retreat

Sunday 31st May

10am-3.45pm


Offering Our Faith Day Retreat

Please note: These retreat sessions will not be guided, and no teachings are given during the sessions.

To celebrate the birthday of our Founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, join us at KMC Plymouth to engage in wonderful prayers and meditations using the sadhana, “The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra”.

Please note: These retreat sessions will not be guided, and no teachings are given during the sessions.

To celebrate the forthcoming birthday of our Founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, join us at KMC Plymouth to engage in wonderful prayers and meditations using the sadhana, “The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra”.

Composed by Venerable Geshe-la himself and extracted from the Ganden Emanation Scripture, this sadhana, or ritual prayer for spiritual attainments, is a perfect preparation for Mahamudra meditation. Through engaging in this practice of Guru yoga – a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide – we can quickly receive the blessings of all the Buddhas, transforming our negative mind to one which is positive and joyful.

The day will start with “Wishfulfilling Jewel”, a set of meditative prayers and of offerings.

This is an ideal opportunity to celebrate our kind founder and enjoy the blessings from the practice of “The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra”.

Copies of “The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra” can be purchased at KMC Plymouth or online at Tharpa Publications HERE.

Sunday 31st May

Session 1: 10am-11.15am WFJ*
Session 2: 12pm-1.15pm
Session 3: 2.30pm-3.45pm

* Session of Wishfulfilling Jewel prayers with offerings

There are no teachings or guided meditations in any of these retreat sessions.

Our World Peace Café will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

This is a free event for all to attend. There is no need to book for this retreat. Eveyone is welcome.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth,
48-50 Mutley Plain,
Plymouth,
PL4 6LE

Shelter From The Storm Retreat

Shelter From The Storm Retreat

Sunday 7th June

10am-3.45pm


Refuge Retreat

This is a guided retreat with short teachings and guided meditations.

This event is suitable for everyone, and everyone is welcome. No previous experience is required.

We all seek the comfort, ease and safety of the things, places and people we hold dear. We find solace and acceptance in these, and they are a form of taking refuge from our daily life.

Likewise, we often turn of doctors when we are sick and seek their help to overcome our suffering. On this retreat we can learn to seek refuge from our suffering and difficulties in Buddha, who is like the doctor, his teachings, known as Dharma, which are like the medicine we need, and in the Sangha, our spiritual friends and community, who are like the nurses who help us take the medicine.

In this way we can go for refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha which is how Buddhists protect themselves from suffering, now and in the future. With deep experience of this practice, we stop worrying and embrace a rich and meaningful spiritual life. Through practicing refuge, we gain confidence and strength to make authentic spiritual progress.

In this guided retreat, Resident Teacher at KMC Plymouth, Gen Kelsang Dragden will take us on a journey to explore and deepen our experience and faith in the inner protection we gain from taking refuge in the Three Jewels.

Sunday 7th June

Session 1: 10am Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers with offerings^
Session 2: 12noon*
Session 3: 2.30pm*

^ This session is free to attend
* These sessions include guided meditations and short teachings. A small fee applies.

Our World Peace Café will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers are free for all to attend

Single Session Ticket: £3

Day Ticket: £4 


All Members Attend for Free

This event is free to members


Booking Methods

1. Pay on the door on the day

OR

2. Book in advance online via our Box Office:

Please note that should you book for a single session but decide to stay longer for more sessions, you’ll be very welcome to do so. Just see a member of the team in our World Peace Cafe.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth,
48-50 Mutley Plain,
Plymouth,
PL4 6LE

Faith and Offerings Retreat

Free Unguided Weekend Retreat

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June

Various Times


Faith and Offerings Retreat 

Please note: These retreat sessions will not be guided, and no teachings are given during the sessions.

We may wish for spiritual realisations, but these depend upon creating certain inner conditions such as purifying negativity, accumulating merit, and receiving blessings.

Everyone is welcome and no previous experience is required. For those undertaking this practice for the first time there will be plenty of experienced practitioners who will be only too pleased to help and support you during the day.

On this day retreat we will focus on the preliminary practices of accumulating merit and receiving blessings. By performing the profound practice of Guru Yoga we can receive the powerful blessings of all the Buddhas through our Spiritual Guide. With the practice of offering the mandala we accumulate a great collection of merit.

Saturday 13th June
Session 1: 9am*
Session 2: 11am*
Session 3: 2pm*
Session 4: 4pm, HJ – no offerings*

Sunday 14th June
Session 1: 10am, WFJ – with offerings*^
Session 2: 12noon*
Session 3: 2.30pm*

WFJ = Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers

HJ = Heart Jewel Prayers

* There are no teachings or guided meditations in any of these retreat sessions.

^ This prayer session is free for all to attend.

Our World Peace Café will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

This is a free event for all to attend. There is no need to book for this retreat. Eveyone is welcome.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth,
48-50 Mutley Plain,
Plymouth,
PL4 6LE

The Stages of The Path Retreat

Guided Weekend Retreat

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 

Various Times


Stages of The Path Retreat

The Stages of The Path, also known as ‘Lamrim’, is a special arrangement of all Buddha’s teachings that is easy to understand and put into practice. It reveals all the stages of the path to enlightenment and offers practical tools and meditations we can use each day to train our mind, overcome suffering and move towards fulfilling the purpose of our precious human life.

During these retreat sessions Gen Dragden, Resident Teacher at KMC Plymouth, will guide us in these step-by-step practical methods to access our limitless capacity for the growth of good qualities, and to fulfil our potential – we just need to know what to do at every stage of our spiritual journey, which is the purpose of this retreat. 

Saturday 29th August
Session 1: 9am*
Session 2: 11am*
Session 3: 2pm*
Session 4: 4pm*

Sunday 30th August
Session 1: 10am Wishfulfilling Jewel prayers with offerings^
Session 2: 12noon*
Session 3: 2.30pm*

^ This session is free to attend
* These sessions include guided meditations and short teachings. A small fee applies.

Our World Peace Café will be open during the break serving hot and cold drinks, delicious home-made cakes and a variety of snacks.

Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers are free for all to attend

Single Session Ticket: £3

Weekend Ticket: £14 (all sessions)

Saturday Day Ticket: £10

Sunday Day Ticket: £4 


All Members Attend for Free

This event is free to members


Booking Methods

1. Pay on the door on the day

OR

2. Book in advance online via our Box Office:

Please note that should you book for a single session but decide to stay longer for more sessions, you’ll be very welcome to do so. Just see a member of the team in our World Peace Cafe.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth,
48-50 Mutley Plain,
Plymouth,
PL4 6LE

More About Our Retreats

  • Open to All

    Retreats are an ideal opportunity to take time out from our busy everyday lives and enjoy time to engage in meditation, letting go of our daily concerns to focus on training our mind and furthering our spiritual development in the peace and tranquillity of KMC Plymouth.

    Everyone is welcome at our retreats and if this is your first time attending a particular event, there will be plenty of experienced meditators present who will be only too pleased to help and advise you. Beginners are most welcome.

    Generally you can attend as many or few of the sessions in a retreat as you choose but we recommend doing as many as you can in order to gain the most benefit.

    Our World Peace Café is usually open between sessions for light refreshments and there are plenty of cafes on Mutley Plain if you would like to go out for lunch on a full day retreat.

  • Guided Meditation Retreats

    In these guided sessions the Teacher will give a short talk and advice on the meditations we will be doing. These sessions are very similar to the general meditation classes except that there is more time spent in meditation. Some retreats use chanted meditations – prayers – but if you are new to these, there will be many people present you will be happy to help and advise you.

    You may attend as many or as few of the sessions as you choose. The more sessions you can attend, the more benefit you will gain so you could try attending the full retreat if you can.

  • Unguided Retreats

    Not all retreats are guided by a Reacher and these will be labelled as “unguided” or “self-guided”. Please see individual event details below for further information. These retreats typically use prayers in combination with specific meditations but if you are new to this, there is plenty of help and advice on hand for you to get the most benefit from these events. Everyone is welcome including beginners.

  • Urban Retreats & Away Days

    These retreats are suitable for everyone including beginners, and consist of shorter sessions, usually 45minutes each, combined with short teachings and guided meditations. There is an emphasis on spending time in meditation in these events. Urban retreats may be for a half day (three meditation sessions) or full day retreats with four to five sessions. Away Day Retreats at other venues usually run from 10:30am-4:30pm.

  • Fees & Booking

    Guided Retreats:
    £3 per session unless otherwise stated, with discounted day and weekend tickets available to non-members on selected events. Members attend these for free

    Unguided Retreats:
    Free for all to attend including non-members

    Urban Retreats: & Away Day Retreats:
    Vary from £15 upwards for non-members. Fees apply to members at some events – see specific events.

    Booking:
    There is generally no need to book but you may book for most retreats and pay in advance if you choose to do so – see specific event information. Away Day Retreats will require booking in advance.

  • Schedules

    Please see the details for specific events below. Generally varies from half-days to whole weekends.

  • Venues

    Most all retreats are held at KMC Plymouth on Mutley Plain in Plymouth.

    Aways Day Retreats are held at various venues – please see the specific events for details.

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© KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTRE PLYMOUTH

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This site is owned and managed by Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth.

KMC Plymouth

48-50 Mutley Plain

Plymouth

PL4 6LE

01752 210451

info@meditationinplymouth.org

Registered Charity Number 1082245

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KMC Plymouth is a member of the International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centres that follow the Kadampa Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

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Location Location

© KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTRE PLYMOUTH

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This site is owned and managed by Kadampa Meditation Centre Plymouth.

KMC Plymouth

48-50 Mutley Plain

Plymouth

PL4 6LE

01752 210451

info@meditationinplymouth.org

Registered Charity Number 1082245

Mail Mail
Docs Docs
Info Info

KMC Plymouth is a member of the International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centres that follow the Kadampa Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Mobile Mobile

FREE MEDITATION APP

Book-open Book-open

FREE E-BOOK