About Us
"The sun of real happiness shines in your life when you start to cherish others"
The Chandrakirti Meditation Centre is a Tibetan Buddhist study and meditation centre, situated on a beautiful 5 acre property in the rolling hills of the Nelson Countryside. The Centre is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a world-wide network of over 120 centres under the spiritual guidance of renowned Tibetan master, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Inspired by the visits to Nelson of Kyabje Lama Zopa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the centre aims to promote the wisdom, compassion and love that is at the core of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice.
The Centre is fortunate to host renowned Buddhist teachers from around the world and provides a peaceful harmonious environment that can help many people to overcome suffering and achieve wisdom and happiness in their lives.
The centre is named after the great Indian scholar Chandrakirti, a student of Nagarjuna's and Nalanda University's most famous Abbot. In the 6th century Chandrakirti wrote the Madhyamakavatara, "The Entrance Into the Middle Way" a root text for the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. Chandrakirti means famous moon.
Nalanda Hall
Nalanda Hall was named and opened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 29 May 2002. Sitting in a grove of trees high on a ridge, with views out over the surrounding gardens and the western mountains, Nalanda Hall is the focal point if the Centre's activities. The building combines traditional Tibetan architecture with modern design and serves as an education centre for Buddhist studies, a gathering for regular meditation groups and a wonderful environment for hosting visiting teachers.
Long Life Stupa
Unique among all forms of sacred architecture, the stupa is the quintessential symbol of enlightenment, and the primordial sacred structure for all Buddhist traditions. Blessed by mantras and prayers that represent the body, speech and mind of the Buddha, the Chandrakirti Centre's Long Life Stupa is empowered by the relics of holy beings and filled with many statues and paintings. The Stupa was consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 29 May 2002.
"Holy objects such as stupas create the cause of success and happiness. Because holy objects exist, sentient beings make offerings to them. This helps them to create the causes of happiness and this is how they experience happiness up to the highest happiness of enlightenment.".........Lama Zopa Rinpoche
What do we offer?
We provide a range of courses from beginner’s meditation and introductory talks to intermediate and advanced philosophical studies. We regularly invite visiting teachers from around the world, both Tibetan and Western, to teach and guide us in practices and retreats. Teachings are complimented by regular group practice sessions, solo retreats and social activities.
We also provide a peaceful environment with a Long Life Stupa, a stunningly located meditation hall, beautiful gardens, a small shop, library and a community of practitioners. Our resident facilitator is Alan Carter. Alan studied on the Buddhist Study Program at Chenrezig Institute in Queensland, Australia for 8 years. He has taught and led retreats in Buddhism at all levels since 2000 in Australia and New Zealand. Alan Carter runs regular weekly meditation classes in Nelson City, Motueka and Chandrakirti Centre, and travels to Golden Bay and Blenheim.
Buddhism offers a rich array of methods for overcoming disturbing emotions, promoting health and healing and leading a life of contentment and simplicity.
To find out more we welcome you to join our Thursday evening meditation classes, discussion groups and Medicine Buddha prayers on Tuesday afternoons, or simply come and visit Nalanda Hall which is open to the public during daylight hours, or circumambulate the Stupa for blessings.
Yeshe Pagoda
The lovely Yeshe Pagoda is purpose built Dorje Khadro Burning site suitable for doing Dorje Khadro retreat and fire puja. It has a covered roof and is protected from the wind so is the perfect location if you have Dorje Khadro retreat committments. The Yeshe Pagoda is also a great place for Fire Pujas performed after commitment retreats.
If you would like to book the pagoda for a retreat please give us a call.
Tara for the World Project
We are building the largest Green Tara statue in the world, empowering enlightened female energy in the world.
The statue will be 7.5m tall bronze, and live in the garden at Chandrakirti Meditation Centre.
She will be accessible to the public to create enormous amounts of merit and positive potential, by making offerings , circumambulating, making prayers and even by merely seeing Tara's enlightened form we become purified of countless negative karmas and plant the seeds for every success and happiness in this and future lives.
Click here to make a donation to the Tara for the World Project
We have Twenty One life size Tara statues and adorning the walls of Nalanda Hall which is now a Tara Gompa. The statues were made in Nepal and are very exquisite all dressed in their silken brocades. Tara is the energy of swift accomplishment and success in all ones virtuous works.
We welcome you to view the 21 Taras during daylight hours in Nalanda Meditation Hall.
“Holy Objects make it unbelievably easy for us to create the causes of merit and to purify the bstacles for happiness, peace and realizations.”
Ways you can support the Chandrakirti Meditation Centre
 Become a member
For further information about our Spiritual Director Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT network of Buddhist Centres please visit www.fpmt.org |
The Protector Policy
Those in service or teaching in FPMT centers and projects do not engage in the practice of Shugden. Students regularly attending FPMT centers should not practice Shugden. FPMT teachers and key staff should not attend teachings by teachers who are known Shugden practitioners. Center members should be made aware of this policy. If possible, members with voting rights should also commit to following this policy. Shugden policy
More info and advice from HH the Dalai lama on this issue can be found at http://www.fpmt.org/organization/announcements/shugden/