Approaching Enlightenment
A Course on Buddhist Ritual as a Path to Enlightenment
6 Tuesday evenings from 13th January 2026 (7.30-9.30pm) at the Nottingham Buddhist Centre.
Open to all levels of experience.
Our courses are designed for all levels of experience—whether you're a newcomer or a regular. Each course offers an opportunity to explore Buddhist practice by engaging with different themes in a practical, accessible way.
Our events are offered by donation. The suggested donation for this event is £105/£85/£65, or whatever amount you can give. You are very welcome to attend without making a donation—booking details are provided below.
January - the nights are long and the weather can be harsh; a perfect time to come together, find nourishment and celebrate community.
This New Year come and join us at the Nottingham Buddhist Centre as we explore the role of ritual in Buddhism. Ritual has been part of the collective human experience for millennia; a way of coming together and affirming our deepest values and connections. Yet many of us in today’s world have lost touch with this fundamental aspect of our humanity.
Over six weeks you will have the opportunity to experience different Buddhist rituals and delve deep into their meaning and purpose. When we think of Buddhism, we often focus on meditation as the main path. Together we will investigate how ritual can be woven into our practice and lead us all the way to Enlightenment.
The course is open to anyone with an interest in Buddhism, whether or not you’re drawn to Buddhist ritual. We’ll explore together through team teaching, group discussion and optional ritual participation. Whatever your current relationship to ritual—enthusiastic, uncertain, curious, or even hesitant—you’re warmly welcome. All we ask is an open heart and mind!
Join Satyamegha and Shuddanara, along with the rest of the team, beginning Tuesday 13th January 7.30-9.30pm for six weeks at the Nottingham Buddhist Centre.
The course is based on the book Approaching Enlightenment – A Guidebook for Buddhist Ritual by Bodhidasa. We will be referring to the book during the course, so it would be helpful to have a copy if that’s possible for you. You can buy it as a paperback or ebook through Windhorse Publications here:
https://www.windhorsepublications.com/product/approaching-enlightenment-pb/
‘Bodhidasa succeeds in writing both for the newcomer to ritual as well as the old hand: responding to the questions we inevitably ask ourselves – but are sometimes afraid to ask out loud – and offering fresh insights in equal measure. With wit, intimate knowledge of the terrain, and a vivid imagination, he makes a compelling case for ritual as a path to Enlightenment.’ - Prajnaketu, author of Cybyerloka: A Buddhist Guide to Digital Life.
HOW TO BOOK
We run everything at the Nottingham Buddhist Centre on a donation basis - we want our events to be available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We ask for a donation at the time of booking if possible, as we’re completely reliant on your generous donations to keep our doors open to all.
We’d suggest a donation of £105/£85/£65 - or whatever amount you can and would enjoy giving.
If you are unable to give even a very small amount, you are still very welcome. Please email info@nottinghambuddhistcentre.org and we'll book you on.
(Please note: any donation made is a donation to the centre and not payment for an event. If for some reason you can’t make the event, you’re warmly welcome to join any other suitable event)
accessibility
We warmly welcome everyone, but unfortunately due to the age of our building and costs to renovate, sadly our space currently has limited accessibility for wheelchair users or those unable to use stairs.
There is a fold out ramp leading to the ground floor entrance, but please note that the shrine room—where many of our courses and events take place—is upstairs and not wheelchair accessible.
Our drop in meditations often take place solely in the downstairs space, but our toilets are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
While we don’t have an accessible toilet, there are handrails for support. If you'd like to visit or discuss any specific needs, please reach out and contact us at info@nottinghambuddhistcentre.org. We're happy to offer a tour of the building and will do our best to make your visit as comfortable as possible.