General Spiritual Director
Finding Refuge in Buddhist Teachings
Apr 9, 2024
First Kadampa Temple For World Peace
MANJUSHRI KMC, ULVERSTON, UK
Origins
This Temple is the very first Kadampa Temple for World Peace in the world. Everyone is welcome to visit.
It is a modern Buddhist Temple designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a world-renowned Buddhist meditation Master who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society.
The Temple was built by Kadampa Buddhist students of Venerable Geshe-la as an offering to future generations. It was completed in 1997 and dedicated to world peace at a special opening ceremony.
The building of the Temple heralded the beginning of the International Temples Project, a charitable enterprise that supports the development of Temples and other Buddhist institutions such as meditation centers, retreat centers and publishing activities throughout the world.
Symbolism
The Temple’s unique design represents all the stages of the spiritual path. Just seeing it reminds us that we have the potential to improve our human nature and qualities through developing the capacity of our mind. It encourages us not to waste our precious human life.
As we approach the Temple we see golden five-pronged vajras on the roof, with one crowning the lantern tower. These symbolise the five wisdoms of an enlightened being - the highest spiritual attainment and the completion of the spiritual path.
Around the walls on the inside of the Temple are three sets of knowledge goddesses. Their playful manner signifies the completely free and pure happiness and joy experienced by those who free themselves from all mental obstructions by completing the highest spiritual paths.
At the centre of the Temple is the lantern tower. The vast wheel contains precious scriptures symbolizing the teachings of Buddha spreading throughout the world. Buddha’s teachings are said to be like a precious wheel because wherever they spread people have the opportunity to control their minds by putting them into practice.
Above each doorway is a male and female deer either side of a Dharma Wheel, symbolizing the final stages of the spiritual path to enlightenment.
Read more about the Temple on Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website.
Shrines
At the front of the Temple are shrines housing holy objects such as statues, stupas and scriptures. In front these are offerings that are made daily to the holy beings. Generally, we offer anything we find beautiful or welcoming.
The MAndala
Buddha taught that everything is a projection of our mind, so when our mind becomes pure everything, including our world, becomes pure. This state of complete purity is represented by the mandala, or celestial mansion, of Buddha Heruka in the cabinet to the left of the main shrine.
The main shrine
The main shrine runs along the front of the Temple. At its center is a large statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. This is the largest bronze statue of Buddha ever cast in the West.
Buddhist Scriptures
The cabinet to the right of the main shrine houses the complete collection of scriptures containing Buddha’s teachings and subsequent commentaries to them composed by great Buddhist Masters.
Inside the shrine
Read more about shrines in the Temple on the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website.
Manjushri Kadampa MEditation Center
The Temple is located at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center in Ulverston, UK. This is the Mother Center of the New Kadampa Tradition, International Kadampa Buddhist Union, where Venerable Geshe-la lived and taught for decades.
The Founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Manjushri KMC and the Temple were founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a contemporary Buddhist meditation Master who introduced a new presentation of Buddha’s teachings suited to the modern age, known as ‘modern Kadampa Buddhism’ or simply ‘modern Buddhism’.
Venerable Geshe-la also founded the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), through which he established hundreds of meditation centers throughout the world and trained modern Buddhist Teachers to teach at them.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
RESIDENT TEACHEr & GENERAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
Gen-la Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union. She studied and practiced for many years with her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, from whom she received many transmissions.
As the most senior teacher in the tradition Gen-la teaches throughout the world at major events. She is a fully qualified teacher of both Sutra and Tantra and is greatly admired and deeply loved by thousands of people worldwide. Her teachings are profound and inspiring, and yet always extremely practical. Gen-la helps modern people understand the teachings of Buddha and how to integrate them into their daily lives.
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
Read more about teaching program on the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website.
Local area
Manjushri KMC stands in seventy acres of gardens and woodland with a lake, streams, numerous walks and an enchanting beach on the shores of Morecambe Bay. The grounds are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk.
Participating
There are many ways to join in the activities at Manjushri KMC.
Evening classes
Regular weekly classes are held in the Temple at which a Teacher introduces an aspect of modern Buddhism and shows how we can apply it to our daily lives.
Volunteering
There are many opportunities to attend the center as a volunteer visitor. See the Manjushri KMC volunteer page for more details and the application form.
spiritual program
Manjushri KMC has a full spiritual program running throughout the year that besides evening classes offers day courses, weekend courses, retreats and International Festivals.
Visit the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website for information on how to participate.
Visiting
World Peace Cafe
The café is open daily 11am - 5pm and is very popular with both day visitors and people staying over at the center.
Walks
The extensive grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk. Free parking, toilet and baby-change facilities are available for visitors.
Meditation
Every day in the Temple at 12.30 and 2pm, there is a free guided meditation suitable for everyone, even those who have not meditated before.
Shop
Adjacent to the café the gift shop and bookshop is open daily 11am-5pm. It carries a wide range of unique high quality gifts as well as books on Buddhism and other spiritual items.
Address
Manjushri KMC, Conishead Priory, A5087, Coast Road, Ulverston, LA12 9QQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 1229 584 029
Closest train station
Ulverston Station (ULV) - 45 minute walk or 10 minute taxi