About Us

Introduction : Origins & History : What Jamyang Provides : Connecting With Jamyang

Introduction

Jamyang is the Tibetan name for the Bodhisattva of Wisdom (see the image on the right), and the name of our meditation and study centre in the centre of London. Another translation of the word Jamyang(or Manjushri in Sanskrit) is Gentle Voice, which is the name of our bi-monthly newsletter.

Jamyang Buddhist Centre is affiliated to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international non-profit organisation set up in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-84), a Tibetan Buddhist monk. The FPMT is based on the Gelugpa Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsong Khapa of Tibet and consists of over 147 centres, projects and publishing houses around the world. Currently, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of both the FPMT worldwide and Jamyang, and we regularly enjoy his visits.

Jamyang became a registered charity (No.285975) in 1982 and welcomes everyone of any faith or none.

It all started as a group of meditation students who met together in the front room of a North London flat in September 1978. As the group grew, it raised the money to purchase its first home at 10 Finsbury Park Road in 1982, and moved to its present address at The Old Courthouse in South London in 1995.

Geshe Namgyal Wangchen came from India to be the resident teacher at the Centre from 1980-1989, and from 1993 our fulltime resident teacher has been Geshe Tashi Tsering.

The centre has also hosted a range of visits from prominent Tibetan teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Song Rinpoche, Serkong Rinpoche, Khyongla Rinpoche, Denma Locho Rinpoche, Rizong Rinpoche, Geshe Jampa Tegchok (later Abbot of Sera Monastery) and Khensur Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche.

Jamyang has developed financially from being run entirely by volunteers to having a small staff team who work with its many supporters to keep The Old Courthouse open six days per week for students and visitors.

When the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism first became available to Western people in the 1960s and 1970s, it was necessary to travel to India and Nepal to find qualified teachers and receive instructions. Jamyang has been able to provide this in the heart of London for thousands of people from London and across the UK who have taken part in our activities. You are most welcome to drop in for some quiet space and simple instruction on how to meditate, or to take advantage of highly-qualified teachers and our library to pursue an interest in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Our resident teacher Geshe Tashi Tsering teaches in English and is well-known for his ability to make Buddhist teachings relevant to contemporary life in a warm and humorous style. He has also created the Foundation of Buddhist Thought, a two-year programme that can be followed either as a campus or a correspondence course.

Other activities included in our programme are: the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism course, weekly drop-in classes on how to meditate, ongoing philosophy classes, regular pujas (chanting ceremonies) and weekend retreats. Cultural activities include Tibetan language and art classes, along with a range of creative projects within the building. We also host regular yoga and chi kung classes. Community activities Holistic Therapy Day, an annual Community Day and Jamyang Walks.

On the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jamyang has set up a second charity called Compassion in Action that provides a range of services for local people. These include a respite project for carers and a Dying Well group.  Future plans include a "Meditation in the Community" service and a series of youth events under the name of Universal Education. 

Our facilities include two meditation rooms, a book and video lending library, an extensive audio archive, a bookshop and overnight accommodation. 

The majority of the teachings are offered free of charge, but there is a suggested donation to help defray the many expenses of the Centre. However we are concerned that no-one should feel excluded by lack of funds, and encourage visitors to simply give as they wish and can afford.

We very much rely on the help of volunteers who come in for an occasional few hours or join our 3-month Hospitality Team programme.

Jamyang is totally dependent on its individual supporters to be able to continue its work, many of whom join the Friends of Jamyang scheme set up to provide a regular income for the running of the centre.