Lam Rim Buddhist Centre in Raglan, Wales

Lam Rim Buddhist Centre

The Lam Rim Buddhist Centre is a Charitable Trust founded in 1978. Its aim is to maintain an educational programme of Buddhist teachings based on the finest principles of meditation, human growth and personal development. The Spiritual Director is the Ven. Geshe Damcho Yonten, formerly Abbot of Samtenling in Norba, Ladakh, and graduate of Drepung Monastic University, Lhasa.The Centre is situated in beautiful countryside in South Wales. Pentwyn Manor is a well built, nicely appointed, Mock Tudor style house which stands in 81/2 acres of field garden and coppice, amid rolling farmland close to The Black Mountains. This delightful setting provides a peaceful atmosphere which is highly conducive to meditative reflection.

Accommodation is available for groups or individuals, either in shared bedrooms or in a limited number of single rooms. Everyone is welcome whether their interest is to attend a course, to make meditation retreat, or just to visit the Centre for a quiet weekend or to find out more about what's going on. Delicious vegetarian food is provided which is as much appreciated as one of the highlights of a weekend at Lam Rim. Many of the vegetables are grown in the Centre's own garden. In order to preserve an environment which is calm and conducive to a contemplative life, visitors as well as residents are requested to observe the five Buddhist precepts undertaken by all lay Buddhists; avoidance of killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and the taking of intoxicants.

Long term individual retreats and/or study facilities are now available in The Coach House. This is set apart from the main Centre, and has recently been converted into 4 self-contained apartments by Andrew Yeats of ECOARC.

The programme of weekend courses presented by the Centre is both interesting and varied, extending beyond a purely Buddhist theme to include courses in Yoga, Tai Chi and Alternative Therapies. Meditative training of several types is also available according to a carefully constructed programme. In addition to this regular programme, from time to time Lam Rim and its residents and friends are blessed by the presence of visiting High Lamas who have come to Europe from India in order to give teachings and initiations into the practices of Tibetan Buddhism.

We are a community of individuals who are committed to the aims of the centre. Many of us have been involved in the centre's activities since it started in 1978.