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Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Jigme is an English Buddhist monk and has been a disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years. Gen Jigme teaches the Sunday night GP session and the weekday Study Programme at Tara KMC. He is a sincere practitioner and is renowned for his humility and ability to explain Buddhas teachings in a practical and clear way.
Volunteering
Make a difference!
Tara KMC can only benefit others with the kindness and support of volunteers. You are welcome to come and spend time volunteering. Even a small amount of time can make an enormous difference and be lots of fun! It is also a great way to make new, like minded friends in a spiritual community. Everyone is welcome.
Volunteering offers:
- Full training
- References for your CV
- Becoming a part of a supportive, friendly community
- A chance to learn new skills
- Opportunity to use your free time in a meaningful way
- The peace of a Buddhist Centre
- It is also possible to stay for a working visit.
Volunteer Jobs can include:
Gardening, helping with Accommodation, Decorating, Serving in the Cafe, Publicity Distribution.
Skills are certainly not necessary but if you have any particular skills such as Plumbing, Building, Web and Computer expertise we always welcome this.
If you would like any further information please contact the Admin Director by email: meditate@tarakmc.org or phone: 01283 732338
Working Visits
A working visit is a great way to experience life in a Buddhist Community.
In exchange for a 35 hour week (usually spread over 5 days) as a visitor you will get 7 days accommodation and food provided. There is also an opportunity to attend classes running at the Centre out of the working hours.
The week will involve a variety of work which could include cooking, cleaning, gardening or working in the World Peace Cafe. If you have any specific skills that you would like to offer we would love to hear about them.
The weekends are your free time to enjoy the peaceful and beautiful environment of Tara KMC, join any courses running here at that time or explore the local Derbyshire Countryside.
Come and experience a meaningful and fun break!
You can apply for a working visit by filling in our online application form or by downloading an application form and returning it it to us.
Please feel free to call reception on 01283 732338.
Other Information:
Accommodation will be in dormitories
There is a no smoking or alcohol policy
Study Programmes
NKT Study Programmes
Tara KMC offers a comprehensive education programme consisting of the three specially designed study programmes by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: the General Programme (GP), Foundation Programme (FP) and the Teacher Training Programme (TTP).
General Programme (GP)
The General Programme is suitable for everyone, regardless of their level of experience or background. Using Buddhist view, meditation and practice these classes offer simple and practical advice to help us solve our daily problems . We run GPs on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Tara KMC and surrounding towns. Everyone is welcome- you do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, or to benefit from the classes- just drop into any class!
Foundation Programme (FP)
The Foundation Programme offers a more systematic study of Buddha’s Sutra teachings based on commentaries by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. We run two FPs: Weekday FP (Monday & Tuesday) and Sunday FP.
Teacher Training Programme (TTP)
The Teacher Training Programme is designed for those who wish to train as qualified Kadampa Buddhist Teachers, the TTP includes in depth study of Sutra and Tantra and extensive meditation retreats (see Retreats for dates and retreat schedules). We run TTP on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Living at Tara Centre
We welcome single people, couples and families to come and be full-time residents at Tara Centre.
There are many benefits to living at a Dharma Centre;
- an opportunity to thoroughly immerse oneself in the spiritual life of the centre
- being part of a bodhisattva family working to benefit others
- forming deep sangha friendships
- learning new skills
- helping Dharma to flourish
- opportunities to cherish others in many different ways
Every resident attends a study programme. Currently Teacher Training Programme is morning and evening on a Monday and Tuesday. There is also a week-day Foundation Programme and a Sunday Foundation Programme.
We also offer a Childrens class every Sunday.
If you are interested in becoming a resident we suggest you visit us for a working visit first to sample the delights of our beautiful centre. You can apply for a working visit by filling in our online application form or by downloading a form and returning it it to us.
World Peace Café
The World Peace Café is currently being relocated into the old courtyard area. We have however got a temporary cafe in the main building. There is some indoor seating and some beautiful areas to sit outdoors so that you cabn relax and enjoy the peaceful environment. The lawns offer a great space for children to play.
Enjoy delicious hand-made cakes and scones, organic coffee and fairtrade tea. Choose from a selection of light lunches – paninis, quiches, baked potatoes and salads.
Our aim is to help increase peace in the world by giving all of our profits to projects dedicated to world peace. That’s why we’re called the ‘World Peace Café’.
Opening Times:
Tues – Sun (11am – 4pm)
We also have carers and tots mornings Tuesday and Thursday (9.30am – 11am)
We thankyou for your patience during this time of renovation and still invite you to come along and sample the treats in the meantime.
The Barn Bed And Breakfast
Visit our fabulous new website and booking system on www.thebarnretreat.co.uk.
The Barn B&B at Ashe Hall in Derby, is committed to creating a calm and uplifting environment for your enjoyment in the Derbyshire heart of England. It provides the first English Tourist Council accredited Bed & Breakfast accommodation in the UK dedicated to World Peace.
With its smoke-free, alcohol-free environment, this newly developed bed and breakfast accommodation is the ideal place to rest, relax and enjoy a meaningful holiday or stopover. Ashe Hall has 38 acres of mature woodlands, lawns, flowerbeds and grounds and is surrounded by rolling countryside yet only 6 miles from Derby city centre.
Visit: www.thebarnretreat.co.uk for more information and to book. To go directly to the rates and booking page, click here.
Health Care Chaplaincy
Kadampa Buddhist Chaplains
In accordance with NHS requirements to safeguard patients, visitors and staff, Kadampa Chaplains subscribe to a system of self-regulation to ensure maximum benefit and safe practice within the NHS and other health care establishments. For as long as our chaplains are part of a chaplaincy team they remain committed to:
Follow the Code of Conduct for Health Care Chaplains (CHCC, AHPCC, SACH, 2nd Edition, 2005)
Implement the Generic Criteria Framework for Chaplains (Entry/Practitioner Levels – Assessors Review 2005)
Develop in accordance with NHS National Profiles for Chaplains (Entry/Practitioner Levels)
Engage in regular Buddhist study and retreat in accordance with the Foundation Programme (FP), or Teacher Training Programme (TTP) of the NKT-IKBU.
Committed to the fundamentals of Buddhism; hold refuge in the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha – to distinguish them as a member of the Buddhist Faith.
This structure ensures our Chaplains steadily develop their skills both through their denominational training and development, as well as through other chosen training mechanisms.
Success
Over the years we have developed a good relationship with many NHS chaplaincy teams, managers, patients and visitors. They have commended our work and continue to do so – both individually and collectively. We appreciate these comments and use them to inspire us to continue building on what we have already accomplished.
Our motivation for doing our chaplaincy work is compassion for all, and we have a commitment in Kadampa Buddhism to train in this every day with wisdom, to develop ourselves and bring benefit to others. We are fortunate to have this opportunity and to offer our services of visiting and meditation to the NHS and other health care establishments.
School & Group Visits
We are happy to say we are now doing School and Group visits again. We welcome visits to Tara KMC and can also arrange for teachers to come out to your School or Group Meeting.
Please contact the Educational Programme Co-ordinator on epc@tarakmc.org or phone 01283 732338.
Gift & Book Shop
We have a small temporary book shop whilst we are in the process of relocating the World Peace Cafe (This can be found in the temporary World Peace Cafe, through the blue door to reception) . The shop sells a range of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s books, as well as all prayer booklets and Learn to Meditate Cds. We are open most days during the week, including the weekend, from 11am – 4pm. We look forward to our new shop coming with the new World Peace Cafe. 
Donations
Tara KMC is a part of the International Temples Project (ITP). The ITP was established by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso with the vision to build a Kadampa Buddhist Temple in every major city in the world. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s compassionate intention is embodied in the ITP, a unique international fund dedicated to public benefit.
The ITP fosters the international development of a wide range of contemporary Buddhist institutions. These presently include Temples for World Peace, Kadampa Meditation Centres (KMCs), International Retreat Centres (IRCs), Kadampa Buddhist Centres (KBCs) Hotel Kadampas, World Peace Cafes, the International Schools Project, and Tharpa Publications. All these institutions provide a public service that exemplifies the Buddhist faith.
The ITP is funded by donations and by profits from:
Dharma centers
Kadampa Meditation Centers
Dharma Celebrations
National Festivals
International Festivals
Many of our supporters contribute through offering their services on a voluntary basis. However, this may not possible for everybody perhaps due to busy schedules, so we also offer the opportunity for individuals to make financial donations to the International Temples Project.
If you would like to make a donation via PayPal, please use the link below.
If you would like to make a donation for a specific cause at Tara, please Contact Us in order that we can discuss the options with you.
If you are a UK Taxpayer and want to make a Gift Aid donation – please click on the icon below
to download a form and send your form and donation by mail.
Application for a Voluntary Working Visit
We require certain information from you if you would like to come for a working visit. This is so that we can fulfill our obligations in terms of our duty of care to you whilst you are with us and in respect of our meeting the various regulations applicable to the use of foreign national labour if you are not a British citizen.
If you wish to come to work with us relatively soon, it is especially important that we are able to contact your referee preferably by phone or by e-mail. Please fill in the contact details for your referee.
If you would prefer you can apply by downloading a form and returning it it to us.
Download A Working Visit Application
If you would like to download the form, print it, and then send it to us by post or e-mail, please use the download links below. Alternatively, you can fill in the form on line by clicking here.
Send completed forms for the attention of the Administrative Director:
by post to:
Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC)
Ashe Hall
Ash Lane
Etwall
Derbyshire, UK
DE65 6HT
by e-mail to:
ad.taracentre@gmail.com
You can download either a Microsoft Word File:
Download Microsoft Word Version
Or an Adobe PDF File
Download Adobe PDF Version
Application Completed
Thank-you.
Your application has been successfully completed and received by us. We will be in contact in the near future.
Click here to go back to the Working Visit Page
