Welcome
Our wish is to provide the people of Cheltenham and the surrounding areas with access to Buddhist understandings and meditation methods that help individuals to develop happy and peaceful lives. To fulfil this aim Akanishta centre opened in 2011, a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of Cheltenham.
Everyone is welcome at Akanishta Centre. You do not have to be Buddhist to enjoy and benefit from the mindfulness and meditation teachings at our centre. In fact we have members from many different backgrounds, religions and walks of life and we have disabled access, to the meditation room and communal areas.
Visit Us
Please feel free to drop in and have a look around, try our free 15 minute guided meditation, browse our bookshop or just find out more about the centre.
59 Whaddon Road, Cheltenham GL52 5NE
Opening Hours to pop in and find out more.
Monday 11.30-1pm
Wednesday 11.30pm – 1pm
Friday 11.30pm -1pm
Free Guided Meditation
Monday 12pm
Wednesday 12pm
Friday 12pm
Part of A Global Network
Akanishta KBC is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition – the International Kadampa Buddhist Union that was established at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in Cumbria in 1981 and is now taught in more than 1400 locations throughout the world, in many different languages.
Our teachers
Akanistha KBC was established by our founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Since he established the New Kadampa Tradition, Venerable Geshe-la has worked tirelessly to create the conditions needed for Buddha’s teachings to flourish throughout the world. One aspect of this is training meditation teachers.
“Initially coming here helped me to become more patient and find peace. With time I’ve found a spiritual path and great meaning in my life. It’s amazing!”
Max
“Akanishta is like a second home, my car seems to drive me here even when I am not coming here! I know many people who have been coming here for a very long time, they give me a lot of strength and positivity.”
Jennie
“Meditating here is like a turbo boost compared to when I am just doing it by myself. And so different to being guided by an app. It’s like going to a mental spa. I feel refreshed and energised and ready to take on the week.”
Paolo
“The benefit of attending Akanishta is much more than just learning mindfulness, it’s a community. Coming here you will make good friends and meet like-minded people. It feels like I have the support of a caring family and although we aren’t constantly in touch, but we are connected.”
Kath
“I like coming to Akanishta because it has a lovely community feel and there are different people to connect with. The content of the classes are really different from anything I’ve experienced before. It’s nice to sit down in a space and meditate with other people,instead of just in your room where you can get distracted. ”
Iris
“Akanishta is a genuine community, it feels like everyone really cares and they are interested in helping. Everyone is really kind. I think everyone needs meditation in their life.”
Charlotte
“It's lovely coming to Akanishta KBC. Gaining the inspiration and positive energy from coming here really helps me to get through the week. It also helps me to maintain a peaceful mind. It is very inspiring spending time with the sangha community and I find being around fellow practitioners very uplifting.”
Ceri
“Everyone is very welcoming and friendly here. Whether you are an absolute beginner or more advanced, it doesn’t matter. You will feel relaxed and at home and made to feel welcome. ”
Ceri
“I cannot find the same clarity when meditating anywhere else, whether it be at home or with an online zoom group. There’s something special about the whole class setup. The meditation room, the people and the teacher all help to generate an atmosphere that really helps me meditate better than I have ever been able to do on my own.”
Benedict
A Community of Kindness
Akanishta KBC is a registered charity (no.1125213) whose purpose is to promote meditation and Modern Buddhism. We want everyone to experience lasting inner peace and freedom from suffering through developing a peaceful and positive mind. The centre is run entirely by volunteers and dedicated students. Come and volunteer!
