Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully
Weekend Course | Day Passes available
with Gen Kelsang Lekchog, Resident Teacher of KMC Sheffield
Fri 21st - Sun 23rd November 2025
During this weekend course, find out how developing an awareness of our own mortality can totally enrich and transform our lives.
There is nothing more precious than human life. Having been born as human beings, we have immense freedom to accomplish anything we want. With so much freedom, we need to ask ourself: What is the most meaningful way to use my life? What will make me truly happy? What will benefit others the most? And when this life is over, what will help me then?
Coming up at Tara IKRC
The Art of Meditation
Saturday 6th December | 10am-1pm
Half-Day Course with Donna Cooper
Meditation gives us the ability to seek happiness from a different source: from within.
During this half-day course, we will explore how to uncover the ocean of peace that lies
within our own mind.
The Art of Forgiveness
Saturday 6th December | 2pm-5pm
Half-Day Course with Cheryl Choong
Free yourself from anger and resentment by practising forgiveness. Through Buddha's teaching and meditation you will find peace, emotional healing and happiness.
The Joy of Kindness
Sunday 7th December | 10am-1pm
Half-Day Course with Joel Fox-Hills
In this half day course we will learn about the many benefits of learning to cherish others, and we will gain experience in guided meditation of the joy we can bring to ourselves and others. We will also receive practical instructions on Applying this helpful advice to our busy daily lives.
Weekly Drop in Classes at Tara IKRC
Lunchtime Meditation Class
Monday to Friday 12:30-1:00pm
Suitable for Beginners
Tuesday Evening Meditation Class
Tuesday 7:30-9:00pm
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Suitable for Beginners
Wednesday Morning Meditation Class
Wednesday 10:00-11:00pm
Suitable for Beginners
Friday Morning Meditation Class
Friday 10:30-12:00pm
Suitable for Beginners
The Buddhist worldview, why Buddhists are different
Friday Night Lecture
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
All Buddhists believe that the teachings of Buddha, which are called Dharma, explain the actual truth of how all things exist. Buddha gave many different explanations of this subject for the varying types and mental capacities of living beings. In summary they all teach that the real world as it appears, is the world of the mind; for Buddhists, therefore, everything begins and ends with the mind. All experiences and phenomena are created by mind including even the entire universe, and there is nothing existing outside the mind. It is a radical and singular understanding that has benefited generations of practitioners over thousands of years.
Optional: You can stay over at Tara IKRC this evening and attend the half-day course with Gen-la Khyenrab December 13th - The Illusory Dance of Appearance and Emptiness
Events with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
The Illusory Dance of Appearance and Emptiness
Half-Day Course with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Saturday 13th December 10am - 1pm
Christmas Lunch at 1.30pm
Following Je Tsongkhapa's teachings from the Ganden Emanation Scripture, which are the nature of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri, Gen-la Khyenrab will today share some special insights from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche's oral transmission which he received directly from Venerable Geshe-la. The wisdom realizing this union is the correct view of emptiness, which is Buddha's ultimate view
Living Ultimate Reality
The Way of the Wisdom Buddhas
Tuesday 23rd - Saturday 27th December 2025
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
and Kelsang Tharlam
Ultimate reality, or emptiness, is the way things really are. Buddha explained that normally we are under the influence of our mistaken perceptions of reality. These mistakes lead us into suffering and despair because we are so out of touch with how things really are. When we gain a deep knowledge of profound emptiness, we can permanently liberate ourselves from all these mistakes and all types of problems and pain.
Turning Your Life in the Direction of Happiness
New Year's Special Talk
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
31st December | 7:30-9:00pm Talk
9:00-11:00pm Vegetarian buffet (vegan and vegetarian)
When the new year comes around, we all wish for a happy year.
Join us for an uplifting talk and meditation at Tara IKRC with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab. Start the New Year with inspiration, confidence and joy!
Making Our Wishes Come True
December 31st 2025 - January 1st 2026
11:00pm-12:10am | 3-4:10am | 7-8:10am | 11-12:10pm | 3-4:10pm | 7-8:10pm
The magic continues with this wonderful way to begin the New Year.
We will make praises and requests to our common holy Mother, Arya Tara, following the powerful prayers Liberation from Sorrow.
Supreme Unchanging Friend
How to rely purely on a Spiritual Guide
Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th January 2026
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
On this weekend course, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab, following the profound instructions of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, will guide us to the correct view and intention on how to follow our Spiritual Guide purely and sincerely. This course is also a perfect preparation for the 2026 Winter Retreat.
These two events can be attended either separately or together.
Supreme Ocean of Infinite Good Fortune
Venerable Geshe-la’s name mantra Close retreat
Monday Jan 5 - Sunday Feb 15 2026
with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
An opportunity to draw closer to our Root Guru through the recitation of Venerable Geshe-la’s name mantra. Those who wish may collect 100,000 mantra recitations to complete a close retreat of numbers.
Vajrayogini Short Close Retreat of Actions & Generation Stage Retreat (self-guided)
January 5 - 31, 2026 (whole month or individual weeks)
Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre is hosting this Highest Yoga Tantra retreat in a secluded meditation room within Ashe Hall, for qualified practitioners.
Booking - epc@tarakmc.org giving your details and your booking request.
Please Note: This retreat is suitable for practitioners with Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments of Heruka and Vajrayogini only.
Meditation Classes in Your Area
Ashbourne || Belper || 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.
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 10:30-11:45am
(except during retreats, so please check the calendar)
Take a break from your day and find some inner calm.
Enjoy relaxing guided meditations, 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!
More of Kadampa Buddhism
Kadampa Podcasts: Living Clarity
Welcome to Kadampa podcasts, where we explore the art of living a happier and more fulfilling life through the teachings of Kadampa Buddhism.
Each episode is an inspiring extract taken from a teaching given by various Kadampa Buddhist Teachers worldwide. Whether you're new to Buddhism or have been practising for years, these podcasts are for anyone looking to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
The Modern Buddhism Podcast
Welcome to the Modern Buddhism Podcast, where we explore how meditation and Buddha's timeless wisdom can help all of us to cultivate a deeper inner peace, happiness, and resilience in daily life.
Listen to inspiring conversations with people who live these teachings every day.
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.