All authentic Buddhist practices and teachings trace back to the Buddha’s awakening beneath the Bodhi tree in northern India over two and a half thousand years ago. That moment of enlightenment has been communicated down through an unbroken lineage of disciples and remains the key to the deepest truth of our human existence.
This year’s Buddha Day is especially significant, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Vajrasana Retreat Centre. The centre itself is inspired by the Buddha in the earth-touching mudra at the ‘diamond seat’ (the Vajrasana) – the mythic centre of the universe. It feels particularly fitting to gather there and honour the Buddha’s enlightenment at the very heart of this symbolic landscape.
Join us for a festival day celebrating this earth-shaking event. The day will include ritual, music, a shared lunch, a keynote talk from our Chair, Suryagupta, and Mitra ceremonies.
The event is free to attend, but please book in advance so we know you're coming. Coach travel from the LBC is available to book for a special reduced rate.
Event Schedule
8.30am | Coach departs from Bethnal Green (arrive by 8.10am), Book here.
10.30am | Arrival and refreshments
11.00am | Welcome & Vajrasana longevity ceremony
12.15pm | Keynote talk by Suryagupta
1.15pm | Shared lunch provided and live music in the courtyard (food will be vegan and gluten free - please contact bookings@lbc.org.uk if you have other dietary restrictions)
2.30pm | Festival Day Puja & Mitra ceremonies
5.30pm | Refreshments
6.00pm | Coach departs Vajrasana
A brief history of Vajrasana, 10 years on
In 2016, the London Buddhist Centre finished work on a complete renovation of our retreat centre, Vajrasana. Designed in collaboration with Walters & Cohen Architects, the vision was to create a whole world for people to live and practise in – one that communicates the spirit of the Buddhist tradition, reimagined for the modern world.
Sixteen years earlier, Vajrasana had begun its life as a collection of repurposed farm buildings in Walsham le Willows, Suffolk – including a shrine room constructed from hay bales. It was a bequest left by Mahananda, an order member from the LBC community who tragically died in 2009, that made the new Vajrasana a real possibility, and initiated a seven-year process of additional fundraising, planning and building.
Now in its tenth year since redevelopment, Vajrasana has offered thousands of people the chance to experience a radically new way of living based on Buddhist values. It is also home to a team of four friends – Saddhaketu, Abhayavajra, Karunanatha and Charlie – who live on site and keep the retreat centre running. In the years since the renovation was completed, Vajrasana has received a number of architecture awards – most recently a Architecture Today Test of Time Award, recognising its enduring quality and the transformative conditions it continues to offer.
Getting to Vajrasana
Travel by Coach
Register NowTravel by Car
Vajrasana has car parking facilities which can be used for the duration of a retreat. Please note that we do not have electric vehicle charging stations on site.
Address: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Walsham le Willows, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 3AR United Kingdom
Travel by Train
Regular trains run from London Liverpool Street to Stowmarket station. If you are travelling from outside of London, it may be more convenient to get a train into Thetford or Bury St Edmunds. You will then need to get a taxi from the station to Vajrasana. (Please note that although Elmswell is the nearest station, it has no bus link to Vajrasana and taxis will have to come from one of the bigger towns)
Taxi options
We recommend booking taxis with plenty of advance notice as there is often limited availability.
Address: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Walsham le Willows, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 3AR United Kingdom
Stowmarket
There is Stowmarket Taxis, costing £20-25: 01449 677 777 (they have a taxi office at Stowmarket station.)
Or alternatively, Kelly's Cabs: 01449 676 767.
Elmswell
Elmswell is the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from Vajrasana, but it is not easy to get a taxi from here. Call one of the above Stowmarket companies well in advance and don’t get off the train here unless you have a taxi pre-booked.
Thetford
Taxis from Thetford cost £40.
21st Century Taxi Co.: 01842 764 576
A2B Taxis: 01842 755 222
Bury St Edmunds
A1 Cars: 01284 766 777
Travel by National Express Coach
Local Buses
