Christmas Course ~ Retreat
A Heart Full of Peace
Special Event
Dec 24 - 28, 2026
Christmas is a time when we naturally reflect on love, kindness, generosity, and our connection with others.
This special Christmas retreat offers a peaceful and meaningful way to spend the festive season, discovering how to develop a heart filled with genuine peace and compassion.
By focusing on the beautiful meditation practice of taking and giving, we can gradually open our hearts, heal our own pain, and cultivate pure, unconditional love. Through this powerful practice, our love and compassion become stronger and more expansive, eventually developing into the enlightened compassion of a Buddha.
Taking and giving is a profound and healing meditation that has been treasured by Kadampa practitioners for centuries. This retreat offers an opportunity to receive practical guidance, deepen your experience of this extraordinary practice, and discover its transformative power for yourself.
Whether you are new to meditation or an experienced practitioner looking for a meaningful Christmas retreat, this is a wonderful opportunity to step away from everyday distractions and immerse yourself in a peaceful spiritual environment.
Set in the beautiful, tranquil surroundings of Manjushri KMC, the retreat includes guided meditations, inspiring teachings, opportunities for quiet reflection, and a special vegetarian Christmas dinner shared with the community.
Join us this Christmas and discover how a heart filled with love and compassion naturally becomes a heart filled with peace.
Volunteering ❤️
• All events at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre are run by volunteers.
• You are invited to help during your visit, if you wish.
• This is a great way to enhance your experience with us and to make some connections with the community.
Discover the Retreat Setting
A special tranquil place
Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, nestled on the edge of the Lake District, offers the perfect setting for a retreat. Surrounded by beautiful woodland and gardens, this peaceful sanctuary provides an ideal space to step away from the busyness of daily life. The centre's stunning temple, tranquil environment, and breathtaking views over Morecambe Bay make it the perfect place to relax, recharge, and deepen your meditation practice. Whether you’re looking to find inner peace or gain clarity and wisdom, this serene location offers everything you need for a truly transformative experience.
Retreat accommodation
Accommodation is in simple, comfortable rooms. Those on retreats will stay either in a room in the main building of Conishead Priory or in a room in one of the cottages that line the gardens and overlook the Temple for World Peace. You can choose single, twin or shared rooms and there are limited number of en-suite rooms available. Book early to get a full choice of accommodation.
Experiences
Every person who visits and takes part in a course at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre leaves with a unique experience of peace in their heart. This experience is shaped by our circumstances in life and how these ancient teachings, adapted to our modern lives, touch our heart. Because each of us is a unique individual, we will each have our own special meaningful experience to take home with us.
Volunteering
• All events at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre are run by volunteers.
• You are invited to help during your visit, if you wish.
• This is a great way to enhance your experience with us and to make some connections with the community.
Testimonials
Resources
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Related reading from Tharpa.com
Venue
Yes you can sit on a chair! There are also other seating arrangements for those who like to sit on the floor in the traditional cross legged style.
Yes, you can attend just part of the course. Some classes are drop in but for longer courses our flexible booking system allows you to choose the specific days you wish to attend. Simply log into the booking system and select the days that best fit your schedule. If you have any further questions or need assistance with the booking process, feel free to contact reception.
Yes, absolutely! There will be ample opportunities for questions to be answered throughout the course. You’ll have the chance to engage with the teacher and interact with other people attending.
Yes. Please check the “Resources” section on this page. It contains links to the books covered in the course, as well as a podcast and YouTube channel for additional learning and insights.
No, there are no specific practices or rituals you need to be familiar with before attending. However, please note that there will be some short chanted prayers to start and conclude of some sessions. You can follow the words in the booklets that will be supplied. There is no obligation to sing, but it is very beneficial to follow the meaning of the words for a successful meditation practice.
The meals provided are vegetarian. You can choose gluten-free and/or vegan options when booking. If you have any allergies, please make sure to inform us in advance. A full menu with ingredients will be listed in the servery, please check if you are unsure.
Yes, we do have facilities for disabled people. This includes disabled parking, accommodation, bathrooms and access to the temple. If you are hard of hearing, please let us know so that we can supply you with headphones during the teaching. For any additional questions or specific needs, please contact reception.
No, our courses are presented in a way that is accessible to everyone, and no religious obligation is required.
How to get here
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition and Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC. Gen-la has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and under Geshe-la's guidance has taught at many centres and events around the world. Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.
