Buddhism in our Midst

  20th April 2024

This week students on the Contemporary Religious Landscapes were invited to the New Kadampa Buddhist meditation centre in Cheltenham as part of their exploration of the towns religious landscape. This was an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in this emergent Buddhist tradition that aims to present the teachings of the Buddha through the work of Geshe Kelsang, the movements Tibetan born founder. Opel, our guide for the morning, took the students through a very peaceful meditation session and answered a number of questions on the centre and the transnational nature of the tradition The question of simultaneity, which lies at the heart of this module, was beautifully illustrated through the interconnection between the Cheltenham centre and a number of other centres established around the world. This was a great couple of hours spent in the company of Opel who is a patient and very knowledgeable host.