THE HOUSE OF INNER TRANQUILLITY is a meditation centre which was established for those in search of a practical approach to the Buddha's path to enlightenment. Under the spiritual guidance of Alan James, who co-founded the centre in 1980, we offer comprehensive instruction in the course of training as laid down in the Pali Canon (the collection of the Buddha's original discourses).

Situated in the centre of the market town of Bradford on Avon, the meditation centre is an extensive property (formerly a school) containing over a dozen bedrooms, offices, a library and a spacious shrine room, all set in a couple of acres of gardens.

In 2005 Mark Jones of the BBC came to visit the centre and talked to two former recluses: James Ward and Garry Phillipson. To listen to the broadcast on MP3 please click here.

Making Contact

The first step for anyone who would like to know more about this system of training is to arrange an interview here at the meditation centre. The personal contact entailed enables the potential student to get a clearer picture of our approach to the Buddha's teaching, as well as enabling us to assess whether he or she is likely to benefit from the training.

Following an introductory period, the student is then welcome to participate in the full programme of classes, lectures, residential retreats and other events held at the House of Inner Tranquillity.

Frequent contact with the centre and commitment to a daily meditation practice play an important part in progress along the path.

Rules of Training

Meditators under instruction at the House of Inner Tranquillity follow the traditional Buddhist code of ethical conduct known as the five precepts. These are the rules of training to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, harmful forms of speech, and mind-affecting drink and drugs.

Meditators are also expected to meditate for a minimum period of half-an-hour every day.

Retreats

Regular periods of intensive meditation practice form an integral part of the training, and residential retreats - for weekend and six days - are held throughout most of the year. In a sympathetic environment especially designed to minimise external distractions, the meditator is able to apply himself single-mindedly to the development of mindfulness and concentration, guided by personal instruction from a trained meditation teacher.

Donations

In keeping with the ancient oriental tradition, no charge is made for any of the events held at the House of Inner Tranquillity, including residential retreats. The whole organisation runs on donations, both from those under instruction and from others sympathetic to the Trust's work.

The Main Building of the
House of Inner Tranquillity

Shrine Table

Satellite Groups

Canada

A long-standing student of Alan's - Paul MacRae - runs the meditation group in British Columbia, Canada, called The Buddhist Insight Meditation Centre of Victoria. For further information, Paul can be contacted by phone on +1-250-472-6700, by fax on +1-250-472-6701 or to e-mail Click here

Jim Vuylsteke (a monk for four years) runs the Buddhist Insight Meditation Centre of Toronto. Jim can be contacted by phone on +1-416-536-5698 or to e-mail Click here

Further Information

The most comprehensive account of how the Buddha's path is taught at the House of Inner Tranquillity can be found in The Unfolding of Wisdom by Alan James, which is obtainable from bookshops throughout the UK, or directly from the Aukana Trust (£10.95 hardback, £8.95 softback, including postage & packing).