Double Snowdon Fundraiser

Newsflash . . . We made it to the summit, twice! Huge congratulations to everyone involved, and the Centre continues to welcome donations all the year round

The Centre’s walking group is staging an epic sponsored walk in July in aid of our lovely community and beautiful city centre building, which has no external funding or large donors.

We will be trekking up the Llanberis Path to the Snowdon summit, and then down the other side of the mountain via the Watkin Path. Then some of us will climb the mountain again, up the Watkin Path to the top, and back down to Llanberis. This is a seventeen mile adventure with over 6,000 feet of climb. That’s more than half the ascent between Everest Base Camp and its summit, though perhaps not quite so slippery!

Please consider supporting us, by giving as much as you can to keep the Centre alive and thriving. Thank you!

 

• Go Fund Me: Double Snowdon
• More about the Centre’s Finances

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
• Map
• [email protected]
• 0161 834 9232
• Please contact us by email when we’re closed
• Charity registration no. 514937
• More about our charity

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
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The post Double Snowdon Fundraiser appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Hinterland: Basement Sober Bar and Café

Hinterland is a new alcohol-free bar and café nestled in our basement space. Sanghadhara, Stephen, Tom and an army of volunteer friends have been working hard to transform the basement and the change is palpable! Many of you will have fond memories of visiting Earth Café in this space. We’re really excited that we’ve now got a new exciting Buddhist business opening here!

Hinterland is about creating a space where people can develop meaningful friendships and have deep conversations without the need for booze, says Stephen.

Stephen gave up drinking five years ago after a difficult battle with alcohol addiction. Like so many people, drinking started out as a way to see my friends, but soon after that, it became the only way I would hang out with my friends. My social life became centred around drinking, and this made it very hard for me to realise that I had a problem with alcohol.

When I later on started struggling with depression and anxiety, I would resort to alcohol as an escape from these difficult emotions. Because alcohol was so socially accepted and ubiquitous, I didn’t realise how problematic my behaviour would end up being.

The turning point in Stephens’s relationship with alcohol came when someone working for a sobriety charity told him, If alcohol is costing you more than time and money, you’re an alcoholic.

Going through recovery was an isolating experience for me, as nearly every social activity would be centred around drinking, and this would end up being too triggering. Now, after five years sober, I hope to offer a space for people to socialise, creating meaningful friendships without it being focused on alcohol.

We’ve noticed that it’s not just people with a problematic relationship with alcohol who want to skip the booze. There are lots of people who wish they could have a space to hang out with friends on a Friday night without having to get wasted. Hinterland is there for all of those people.

We want to offer an alternative to the typical noisy bar scene that’s calmer, more mindful, and emphasises quality social interactions. It’s about creating a relaxed space to foster friendships and enjoy good company without the need for alcohol.

One way the space will help you make meaningful connections is through Conscious Connection Cards. These small cards will be on tables in the bar, with thought-provoking questions such as How would your younger self feel towards you as you are now?, or What is one thing you’d be doing if you had no fear of being judged?.

Hinterland welcomes anyone who is sober, sober-curious, or just looking to socialise without alcohol. The space will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm

The bar aims to provide a welcoming space for all, regardless of their reasons for skipping the booze.

• Hinterland’s Instagram
• Hinterland’s website

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
• Map
• [email protected]
• 0161 834 9232
• Please contact us by email when we’re closed
• Charity registration no. 514937
• More about our charity

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list

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The post Hinterland: Basement Sober Bar and Café appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Our Future Location: Conversations Continue

A short video update from Suryaka and Vishangka as we continue to explore whether we stay at Turner Street or move to another venue in the city, alongside other ideas to take the Centre and our Sangha into the future.

Suryaka and Vishangka describe the hard work going on behind the scenes, much of it in conversation with Order Member chapters, going for refuge groups, study groups and others. Talking with Sangha members is really helpful as we continue to look at this big important decision.

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
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Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Our Future Location: Conversations Continue appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

What’s it like to do a Course here?

Sometimes our visitors feel moved to post a review of our Centre and classes, and they generally seem to like what they find here. We don’t ask for reviews, but are grateful when people take the time to share their reactions, verbally or online, and whether they’re positive, negative or a bit mixed.

We recently heard from Rachael, who went a bit further and wrote two blog posts on her experience of doing two six-week evening courses here in 2022. Many thanks to Rachael for letting us share her thoughtful pieces:

What I learned from an Introduction to Buddhist Meditation Course

I happened to pop into Manchester Buddhist Centre in the Northern Quarter over the summer to get some mindful inspiration. That’s when I found out they were running an introduction to Buddhist meditation course. As I was headed into a quieter work period I knew I’d have the headspace to commit to six weeks of evenings between 7–9.30pm.

I want to share some of my key reflections from the course. Partly because writing about what I learn helps me to reflect and remember what resonated , , , Read more on Medium

What I learned from a Compassion Course

Following on from the introduction I signed up for a going deeper course on the topic of compassion. Earlier in the year I wrote about my journey of learning to practice compassion. So it seemed serendipitous that the first going deeper course covered this vital topic.

The experience of attending the Buddhism centre and practicing meditation was likened to a meditation gym. I really liked this analogy, as over six weeks I learned how to build my compassion muscle. This post will share a bit about what I learned and some reflections on how the practice impacted me , , , Read more on Medium

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post What’s it like to do a Course here? appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Our Centre’s Location – An Update

Lilasuri outlines the current stage of discussions on our Centre’s future:

Listening Carefully to Thoughts and Concerns

We would like to thank all of you who attended the Community Gathering on 28th October on the future of the Centre. A lot of good points were raised at the meeting as well as ideas and offers of support, and we are holding all this and keeping it safe.

We want to let you know what has been happening since this meeting. Over this time, we have been listening to many Sangha members. Everyone’s view is important to us. However, it became apparent that for some local Order members there was a need for the Trustees to hear more about their thoughts and, particularly, their concerns about moving from Turner Street.

Honouring the Role of Order Members

Our Manchester Buddhist Centre is significant to all of us, but maybe particularly so for many Order members – who give, or have given, much time and energy to the Centre. Many of them have worked here, or for one of our right livelihood businesses over the years. Many have lived in one of our communities at some point, some for a long period of time. We wanted to honour the important role the Order play in the spiritual welfare of our Sangha and listen more deeply to the thoughts of Order members involved. This seems important for us at this stage. The local Order also has a direct relationship with us as a charity – they make up the membership body for the Centre. Any big decision, like moving, must be done in consultation with our membership.

Next Steps

This has led us to want to go back to before the Trustees made the decision, so that any decision about staying or moving from Turner Street is made in consultation with the help of the Order. A new Order Engagement Kula has been set up to help us do this and they held a meeting for Order members in January to hear more fully their thoughts. At the meeting people volunteered to take on certain actions, for example the creation of working groups – one group will build on the work already done to assess the viability of staying at Turner Street and will include the need for improved access, another group will research options for finding a new home. This research needs to happen in parallel to a visioning process that will start in Spring.

Even though this next phase is focused on the Order, it doesn’t mean that the involvement of the wider Sangha is any less important. It is crucial and essential to us that we involve the wider Sangha in this process when we have completed this particular stage.

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
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Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Our Centre’s Location – An Update appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Moving on Together – First Steps

Update: After responses from the local Sangha, the Centre’s Trustees have now decided to “go back to before the decision to move was made”. A process of engagement is now underway, this will ensure that all voices can be heard and all options can be considered moving forward.
January 2023

As we start to plan the process of moving on from Turner Street over the next year or more, how should we as a Sangha embark on this transitional time together? It seems important to keep returning to three areas as we go forward:

• The Practical: What is the latest news on locations? When are we next meeting up as a Sangha? Have the timeframes shifted since we last spoke?
• The Emotional: Our Turner Street home is infused with meaning, practice and memory for all of us. While to some, the idea of this change may feel exciting, to many it will feel frightening
• The Dharmic: Bringing a Buddhist perspective to this change will allow it to become an opportunity for growth and increased togetherness

The Latest

There are already a few updates to share, although some areas have been on hold for a couple of weeks while key people have been away:

• Lilasuri, our project manager, has started creating a project plan outlining the operational and logistical elements of the move
• We’re organising discussions with the Manchester Order and other members of our Sangha, as well as with the pioneers who have seen the Centre through its various locations, from Chorlton to Turner Street
• We will begin recording a series of short interviews with Sangha members, reflecting on their time in Turner Street
• Sangha members have suggested some names for the move, and Candradipa and Oskar are using them to work on draft logos
• We’re still interested in hearing from ethical businesses with a proposal for a pop up café or similar enterprise in the basement café space at Turner Street – [email protected]

Keeping Connected

• Over seventy people came to our last meeting on 28th October, some in -person, some online. Next meeting date to be announced
• There’s a video of the initial meeting here
• Read the latest fortnightly update in full, and Join our mailing list to receive more
• Questions? Get in touch! [email protected]

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Moving on Together – First Steps appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Moving on from Turner Street

An Important Decision on the Future of our Centre

Update: After responses from the local Sangha, the Centre’s Trustees have now decided to “go back to before the decision to move was made”. A process of engagement is now underway, this will ensure that all voices can be heard and all options can be considered moving forward.
January 2023

The Centre’s Trustees have confirmed that for the long term health and future of our Sangha, we now need to start the process of moving from Turner Street to the next chapter in our community’s life. Whether we can stay in this building has been in the air for a long time and despite every effort, staying in this building can no longer be financially sustained:

• Reduced rental income
• Decreased income from courses and the bookshop
• Energy costs projected to rise from £16,000 to £82,000 over the next year
• Repairs and improvements to the building, plus adding disabled access, costing at least £600,000

A Vision for our Future

• What will help our community to deepen and grow?
• What conditions will help this next chapter to be the brightest one yet?

We’re discussing ideas but we don’t know yet what this next chapter will look like. With many conversations ahead of us, our priority will be to make sure that we take care of one another. We’ve built something great together during our time in Turner Street and we want to honour this and ensure that the energy, inspiration and friendship we so value, moves with us.

• Read the Trustees’ email in full

Meeting as a Community

Over a hundred of us came together in the Lotus Hall and on Zoom on 16th September to hear more from our Chair, Silabodhi; to ask questions from the people most involved, to talk about how we’re feeling and to think about next steps. We’ll continue to meet regularly as a community.

• Watch video of 16th September meeting
• Join our mailing list

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Moving on from Turner Street appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Another Way of Looking at Fundraising

Launching our 2022 fundraiser, Silabodhi suggests an alternative perspective

This campaign is one way that we are trying to reduce our financial deficit in the aftermath of pandemic lockdowns. Perhaps more importantly, it’s an opportunity for us all to explore our relationship with the Buddhist Centre. It’s very easy to start with an attitude of giving money for what we receive here.

We could take an alternative perspective though – giving more for the sake of others. This approach can help us do more as a Centre, to grow and reach new people who so desperately need the Dharma. It also means we can help members of our community who aren’t so financially comfortable.

It also recognises that we can all play an integral part in the life of the Buddhist Centre, and share a sense of responsibility for passing on the gifts that we have been given by others.

By approaching things in this way, many of us have found a great joy. We’ve found that giving the gift of the Dharma can be even more rewarding than receiving it. Paradoxically, the more we give, the more we receive.

 

• More ways of getting involved and helping out

Please donate to support our work

Make a regular or one-off donation, by card or PayPal

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Another Way of Looking at Fundraising appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Would you like to work from the Buddhist Centre?

A new Sangha Co-working Space…

 

Breathworks is a mindfulness education charity that has occupied office space on the third floor of the Buddhist Centre since it was founded by Vidyamala, Sona and Ratnaguna almost twenty years ago.

Like many organisations, they have dramatically changed during the pandemic and their staff are working remotely more of the time. They love having a base here but will only now need it for two days a week.

Sripaksini, Breathworks Chief Exec, is offering the opportunity for people in our local Buddhist Sangha who want to access a co-working space on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

Sripaksini says:

We have socially distanced workspaces, superfast broadband, a comfortable sofa area and access to book the Centre’s meeting rooms at 50% off commercial rates. Plus being in the building, you can easily wander down to join lunchtime meditation and yoga classes. The workspace is available by donation – we suggest £10 a day – which will help us to sustain a base here. Do get in touch if you’re interested.

Interested?

To find out more or register interest, email [email protected]

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Would you like to work from the Buddhist Centre? appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Books are Us

It’s great to see so many independent bookshops opening up here in the Northern Quarter, whether selling second hand or new. We’ve been doing both for years now, and love being part of the local reading and browsing community.

We have more books here in our shop than you might expect. As well as titles on Buddhism and meditation from many traditions, we have a wide selection on mindfulness, cookery, yoga, even the Dalai Lam’s cat! We’re always happy to give recommendations and to hear what you think about what you’ve been reading.

Second Hand Bargains

Our second hand shelves are pretty buoyant at the moment too. Literary fiction, memoir and personal growth are our best sellers, after Buddhism and meditation of course. We can never get enough Dharma books so if you have any to pass on, we and our readers would be really grateful.

Our Library is opening up again

Our small reference library on the second floor has a been a bit out of action since the first lockdown, but it’s opening up again now, thanks to some dedicated volunteers, with Mitras and Order members welcome to borrow books for study again.

Opening Times

Our shop’s open 11am – 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10.30am – 2.30pm on Saturdays, with a few Sundays from 28th November too. The Centre’s mostly closed in the last week in December.

Join our mailing list to stay up to date, or keep an eye on our news page and social media.

Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner Street
Northern Quarter, M4 1DZ
0161 834 9232

 

[email protected]

Opening Times & more

Opening Times:

• Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 3pm
• Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Bodywise opening
• Hinterland opening
• Join mailing list
Charity reg no: 514937

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The post Books are Us appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Let's bring to mind ten friends from across Triratna as they are publicly Ordained on 4th May

The post Women’s Public Ordinations at Adhisthana appeared first on Manchester Buddhist Centre.