Welcome to Tara IKRC
On this page you will find a wealth of opportunities to begin or deepen your spiritual progress through practising Buddha's teachings as presented by the meditation master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Coming up next weekend - Beginners Meditation Retreat with Gen Kelsang Losel
From Friday 18th October to Sunday 20th October, Gen Kelsang Losel will introduce you to the ancient art of meditation in easy to learn steps.
Weekend retreat With Gen Kelsang Losel
Learning Meditations that Work | 18th-20th October
Meditation essentially familiarizes our minds with the causes of real happiness. It is a type of concentration that is single-pointedly focused on things that will give us a calm and peaceful mind - and this in turn leads us to be happy.
Half-day course with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Taking the Wisdom Buddha Deep into Your Heart
14th December 2024 | 11:00am - 1:00pm
If we really do not wish to experience suffering and problems we must realize emptiness, the selflessness of persons and phenomena.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche explains that until now our way of identifying ourself has been mistaken and because of this weexperience various kinds of suffering and problems throughout our life.
Christmas Dinner
Annual Christmas Dinner 2024
@1:30pm in the Dining Room
The Annual Christmas Dinner at Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre is a joyful gathering of visitors and students enjoying good food and good company by way of helping the Centre to fundraise. Everybody is welcome to book our delicious offering for 2024 starting at 1.30pm on Saturday December 14 straight after the special course given by Gen la Kelsang Khyenrab.
Christmas Retreat with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Discover Your Hidden Depths
23rd - 26th December 2024
On this special Christmas holiday retreat Gen la Khyenrab will guide us through talks and meditations which can change our perspective and ways of thinking so we can discover our own hidden potential and find real inner peace and tranquility.
Everyone is welcome to this retreat!
special talk with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
New Year, Fresh Beginning
31st December 2024 | 10pm-10:45pm
The New Year can be a time of reflection and renewal if used meaningfully. On this New Year’s Eve, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab will share Buddha’s wisdom insights on how we can practically improve the lives of ourselves and others in the coming months.
Everybody is welcome!
six sessions of 'liberation from sorrow' prayers
24hrs Green Tara Retreat
December 31st - January 1st
11:00pm-12:10am | 3-4:10am | 7-8:10am | 11-12:10pm | 3-4:10pm | 7-8:10pm
A unique and wonderful way to begin the New Year ~ with praises and requests to Buddha Green Tara in 6 sessions over 24 hours. Tara has the power to free us from sorrow and fulfil our wishes for a happy, meaningful life.
This retreat will begin with the 11pm session on December 31 which is part of the New Year’s Eve event, as the first of the 6 sessions of retreat.
Everybody is welcome!
Dorje Shugden Empowerment and Commentary
Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th January 2025
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Weekly Drop-in Meditation Classes at Tara IKRC
Morning Meditation Classes
Fridays 10:30-12:00pm
with Gen Kelsang Dema
These classes are part of the General Programme and focus on applying Buddha's teachings to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. These classes cover a variety of topics and generally consist of a teaching and two guided meditations. Although taught as a series, each class is self-contained and can be attended individually.
Lunchtime Meditation Classes
Monday to Friday 12:30-1:00pm
These thirty minute meditation classes will allow you to truly relax and de-stress so you can return to your day feeling clear-headed and refreshed. A typical session includes a short talk and a guided breathing meditation with the topics listed below.
No need to book, just drop in! Everyone is welcome!
Evening Meditation Classes
Tuesdays 7:30-9pm
Wednesdays 7:30-9pm
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
These classes are part of the General Programme and focus on applying Buddha's teachings to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. These classes cover a variety of topics and generally consist of a teaching and two guided meditations. Although taught as a series, each class is self-contained and can be attended individually.
Meditation Classes in Your Area
Ashbourne || Burton-upon-Trent || Derby City || Lichfield || Loughborough || Newcastle-under-Lyme || Stafford || Uttoxeter
Each class of the term is self-contained, so you are welcome to join at any point. Each class is followed by complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions. We also have many books and materials available to help you deepen your understanding and meditation experience through further reading.
You do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, and no previous experience of meditation is required. Everybody is welcome!
Free Events at Tara IKRC
Blessings for a Year
Meet all the Buddhas throughout the year
Thursdays 7:30pm
A monthly event throughout the year focused on meeting and engaging in the practice of different Kadampa Deities. Enjoy a rare opportunity to engage in these very special chanted prayers that help us to make our life more meaningful. No need to book and no fee, just drop in!
The prayers start at 7.30 pm and the duration varies based on the prayer booklets (sadhana) we use.
Prayers for World Peace
Sundays at 2:00-2:45pm
(except during retreats, so please check the calendar)
Take a break from your day and find some inner calm.
Enjoy relaxing guided meditation, a short teaching on love and compassion, and the beautiful Prayers for World Peace that will help you navigate life with a more peaceful, positive mind. No need to book. Just drop in! Everyone is welcome!
Google reviews
I don't know if I can express with words everything I've lived in this wonderful place! I think as much as I try, I can't because it was just magical! The beauty of the place, the peace that the place brought me, the meditations, the people who lived there or just volunteered, everything was just perfect, everything was as it should have been. I just have to thank everything I've experienced and I highly recommend it! I will definitely be back too!
A very special and beautiful place. The people are incredibly sweet and welcoming. The meditation classes and retreats are well-designed for all levels, and the rooms are very comfortable for a long-term stay. I have a transformational experience every time I visit here.
Such an amazing place. You can feel the calming influence as soon as you get there. Lovely staff and the food and drinks are great too.
Such an amazing place. Have stayed there twice now, once for a retreat and once during the week just so I cpuld be in the energy of the teachings and get reconnected again. I highly recommend the teachings and even if you don't follow Buddhism it's a beautiful energy to be in
Loved it. Beautiful gardens and lovely teachings by the lovely Buddhists The cafe was great and food was healthy and tasty . Will be visiting again
I have just returned from the weekend retreat and have to say I had the most wonderful time! I had never been anywhere like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Wow, it is such a beautiful place with beautiful people. The classes and meditations are very clear and eye opening. I will now be using these in my daily life and want to learn a lot more. I will definitely be back. Thank you so much for a life-changing weekend.
What can I say about the most beautiful place I have ever been fortunate to have been a part of. The community, the grounds, the food, the love, the tranquility, second to none. If you can, you should. What a place.