Meditation lies at the very heart of Buddhist practice. At Kadampa Meditation Centre in Belfast and Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Derry/Londonderry, we offer a comprehensive programme of meditation classes, courses, and retreats. In addition, we regularly hold Pujas.
A Puja is a special type of meditation in which offerings and visualisation with the recitation of prayers and mantras. These sessions guide the mind on a meaningful journey, promoting mental positivity and helping to clear negative obstructions. There is no admission charge for attending a Puja.
Below is a brief summary of the three main types of Puja we hold.
Heart Jewel – our most frequent Puja (50 minutes)
The Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa combined with the Practice of His Dharma Protector
This Puja is held several times each month. It includes two core practices:
- Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa
In this practice, we visualise our Spiritual Guide as Je Tsongkhapa. Relying upon this meditation enables us to purify negativity, accumulate merit, and receive blessings. This process naturally leads to the realisation of the stages of the path of both Sutra and Tantra, culminating in the development of a special Dharma wisdom. - Reliance on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugdän
This second practice involves seeking the assistance of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugdän. Through this, we overcome obstacles to our spiritual practice and create favourable conditions for deepening our Dharma realisations. With sincere reliance, our faith in Je Tsongkhapa strengthens, making it easier to gain experience of pure Buddhadharma.
Together, these two practices embody the essence of the New Kadampa Tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. Practised regularly and sincerely, they yield a rich harvest of pure Dharma realisations and ultimately lead to the supreme joy of full enlightenment.
A full explanation of this sadhana can be found in Heart Jewel by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Please consult our calendar for specific session times.
Offering To The Spiritual Guide – 10th & 25th of each month (105 minutes)
Offering to the Spiritual Guide is a special Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa in conjunction with Highest Yoga Tantra. It was compiled by the first Panchen Lama, Losang Chökyi Gyaltsän, as a preliminary practice for Vajrayana Mahamudra. While the main focus is reliance upon the Spiritual Guide, it also incorporates all essential practices of the Lamrim (stages of the path), Lojong (mind training), and both generation and completion stages of Highest Yoga Tantra.
The essence of Guru Yoga lies in developing a deep conviction that our Spiritual Guide is a Buddha. Through prostrations, offerings, and sincere requests, we receive his or her profound blessings. In this practice, we regard our Spiritual Guide as the same nature as Je Tsongkhapa – an emanation of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri.
By relying upon Je Tsongkhapa, our compassion, wisdom, and spiritual power naturally increase. Since he is an emanation of Manjushri, his sincere followers find it easy to grow in wisdom.
The many benefits of this practice are thoroughly explained in Great Treasury of Merit, which contains a complete commentary.
Please consult our calendar for specific session times.
Tara Puja – 8th of each month (45 minutes)
Liberation From Sorrow
The Tara Puja, known as Liberation from Sorrow, includes special prayers to the Twenty One Taras and is regularly performed at Kadampa centres worldwide.
Tara is a female Buddha, a manifestation of the ultimate wisdom of all Buddhas. The Twenty One Taras are emanations of the principal Tara Green Tara also revered as the ‘Mother of the Conquerors’.
Tara is our spiritual mother. Just as a worldly mother protects, nurtures, and guides her children, Tara protects us from dangers, provides the necessary conditions for spiritual development, and inspires us with her blessings as we progress along the path.
The name Tara means ‘Rescuer’, as she liberates us from the eight outer and inner fears.
If we rely on Mother Tara with sincere faith, she will swiftly protect us from all obstacles and help fulfil our spiritual aspirations. As a wisdom Buddha and manifestation of the purified wind element, Tara acts quickly and effectively.
Reciting the twenty one verses of praise brings immense benefit. These verses are part of the Sutra, the actual spoken words of Buddha, and it is recommended to recite them as often as possible.
Please consult our calendar for specific session times.
Members can attend our centre classes and retreats online or in person. Details on how to join at Membership.
Our weekly general classes can be found at Classes By Location with special events at Events and Retreats.
If you need help feel free to phone or whatsapp us on +44 (0) 7597 773 096 or email at info@meditateni.org.
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