Sangam: meditation room

Sangam is the name of the quiet room in St Peters Chaplaincy, on the University of Manchester Campus (Oxford Road, near Precinct Centre). It is open from 9:30am to 4:30 pm daily.

Students from all religions, including Buddhism, are most welcome to go and sit quietly or meditate there.

"Sangam" literally means confluence. It is explicitly for people of all faiths to come and meditate, contemplate, sit quietly or worship. Groups of Buddhists are also welcome to go there and meditate.

To get to Sangam room, go to the St Peters Chaplaincy on Oxford Road, turn right at the foyer and finally turn right again.

They are now trying to get another room on 2nd floor of the chaplaincy to serve as a meditation room.

The Chaplaincy is also organising a spirituality conference from 10 am on February 26, 2005, as well as an interfaith discussion group which would meet at least once every month. If you are interested in participating, mail Terry Biddington (the Chaplain) at terry.biddington@manchester.ac.uk.

Fo Guang Shan Temple: 3 shrine rooms for meditation

The Fo Guang Shan Temple at 540 Stretford Road (see list of Manchester centres for directions) is a traditional Chinese temple and has three shrine rooms on first floor where people can meditate. It is approximately a 20 minute walk from the university Campus to Stretford Road, or take 250 bus. Its quite visible red building with "FO GUANG SHAN" in Golden characters written in English and Chinese. It is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily but is closed on Fridays. You will need to ring the bell and someone (maybe the venerables) will let you in and tell them you want to meditate in the main shrine room on first floor. You must leave shoes outside (there is space on the rack) before you enter the shrine rooms. They are quite friendly and the shrine room is very peaceful, except on festival days, but even then there are three shrine rooms (of Buddha Shakyamuni, Guan Yin / Avalokiteshvara and Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva) and you can meditate in any one. Cushions are also available, as well as incense for offering to the Buddhas if you so wish.

Manchester Buddhist Centre: 2 shrine rooms

The Manchester Buddhist Centre in Turner Street near Arndale shopping centre in Manchester city centre has got a smaller and a larger shrine room on the first floor of the building where people can go and meditate. You will need to sign in at reception, and ask at reception for directions to the shrine room. Here too, cushions are available and it is quite peaceful.