The Buddhist Community Centre

The most peaceful place with helpful people. This community makes people welcome like home. Always love to visit this place

I first visited the Buddhist Community Center in Aldershot in early February with my granddaughter and uncle, and we’ve made it a tradition to go once a month. The atmosphere there is peaceful and welcoming, and my favorite part is the meditation sessions. They also offer food, which reminds me of the Langar (you’d know, if you’ve been to Gurudwaras), though on a smaller scale. It’s a great place to connect with the local Nepalese community, with many from the Gurkha Regiment nearby. We’re planning to return for the Buddhist Jayanti on May 8th — it’s truly a special place.

Absolute peaceful place next to a busy road.

It’s such a wonderful experience to be in a monastery-a Nepalese one among so many other types-in Aldershot. It is quiet welcoming place but you need to take off your shoes and of course your socks too (if they are stinky😋), and please don’t get offended, it’s a customery, everyone does that out of respect.

It’s a nice little place not as some of the magnificent B.I.G monasteries, but as you enter the place you will immediately experience the vibe of Buddha and peace.
You will find few religious signs and interior designs,posters,drum, religious book and Shakyamuni Buddha with two Rimpoches.

Unlike many monasteries in different parts of the world it is too small and hence has no space and does not offer or run meditation classes. It’s more for the religious functions like birth, naming , death of people of Nepalese community esp. Gurung, Magar, Sherpa and others. Besides it celebrates Buddha Purnima with some sort of fanfare. There are some residential monks as well as some visiting Rimpoches from Nepal at different times to bless the community.

There are 108 small praying wheels around the monastery and they are ment to be wheeled in very specific order i.e clockwise (otherwise you won’t be able to get the blessing of Buddha, its a belief). There is a praying wheel, probably the largest in the England . More you spin, more you gain the good karma.

You can take some fruits, flowers, few coins (minimum but not mandatory but you may become generous regarding the donations) and some candle and do the worship. People there will help you but if you do in your own style too, the Buddha will never mind!

Another good thing is you will always offered tea and biscuits as prasadam (as in most Hindu temples). It’s your choice to take it or leave it.

It is really a best place to be and learn about Buddhism, a bit for may be GCSE students. Probably it provides another perspective about life and religion.

Enjoy your visit, be there, be blessed and feel the peace.