Inspiring and blessed Empowerments
Nov 29, 2024
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.
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.
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.
Read more about shrines in the Temple on the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website.
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.
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.
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.
Read more about teaching program on the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center's website.
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.
There are many ways to join in the activities at Manjushri KMC.
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.
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.
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.
Manjushri KMC, Conishead Priory, A5087, Coast Road, Ulverston, LA12 9QQ
+44 (0) 1229 584 029
Ulverston Station (ULV) - 45 minute walk or 10 minute taxi