Bristol — Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling

Sakya Buddhist Centre, Bristol

The Sakya Buddhist Centre was the first Buddhist centre in Bristol and also the first centre belonging to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the UK.

The centre hosts a series of major teaching events each year. Click here for dates and details.

There is also a programme of weekly drop-in classes on aspects of Buddhism and meditation. Click here for details.

Brief History of Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol

The centre was founded in 1977 by Lama Jampa Thaye at the request of his teacher, Karma Thinley Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave the name, Thinley Rinchen Ling, named after His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen’s grandfather, the 39th Sakya Trizin, Dakshul Thinley Rinchen.

In English the centre’s name means ‘place of precious Buddha activity’. It houses a traditional Tibetan shrine room which was blessed with a magnificent new life-sized Buddha statue, specially made for us in Nepal.

Lama Jampa Thaye

Lama Jampa Thaye, the centre’s spiritual director has given numerous teachings from the Sakya tradition and is recognised as one of the few Westerners authorised to teach Tibetan Buddhism at the highest level.

Visits by Heads of the Sakya Lineage

For 40 years, the centre has hosted teachings from some of the most important Tibetan lamas.  His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin) has visited several times to bestow profound teachings. His sons, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche the 42nd Sakya Trizin and Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, eminent lamas in their own right, are also frequent visitors.

Alongside these major teachings, the Centre also has a full programme of events, including introductory evenings, study groups, pujas (group meditations) and Tibetan classes.

The Centre is run by volunteers and funded by donations, administered by Sakya Dechen Buddhism Ltd registered charity no: 1163076.

Local groups

North Devon Buddhist Meditation Group

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Exeter Buddhist Meditation Group

Sakya Thinley Namgyal Ling The Exeter group was established in 1983 and given the name…

Bath Sakya Buddhist Meditation Group

We are sorry to say that the Bath Sakya Buddhist Meditation Group will not be…