I'm still in shock there is a buddhist temple in Milton Keynes. My understanding is it's the only…read moreNipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple in Great Britain. Milton Keynes seems such a random place for a monastery but it seems to serve them well. My homeboy was telling me he went on a couple of field trips growing up and I find that absolutely amazing in helping to expand kids' minds. Outside the temple was some interesting art work. Items all in gray that I'm sure had some great significance that just wasn't hitting me, but all the same was cool to look at. Even better than that though was the beautiful Japanese garden. Don't tell anyone but when I was in 4-6th grade I was in the uber cool Japanese Garden Club at my grade school. We built from the ground up and got funding to build a Japanese Garden and it was friggin awesome! That reminds me, I want to go check it out. Anyways, I fancy myself to know a thing or two in Japanese gardens and I found this one to be superb, although I didn't see a rock garden aspect. Don't miss the beautiful Peace Pagoda nearby. This temple is open every day. Prayer times are at 05:00 am and 17:00 (5pm), every day.

On Sundays, in the car park is THE best place to get authentic Thai food in London…read more For 5 pounds I got a bamboo shoot salad swimming in super-spicy fermented fish sauce and decorated with mint leaves, plus a bag of sticky rice to help me with the heat. Seriously spicy. The real deal. For a further 5 pounds I got two boxes of Thai desserts, including a mouthwatering box of banana custard and purple sticky rice. I could have spent a lot more... Isaan sausage, Northern sausage, Satays, Fried Fish... every tupperware box was so tempting. The food sold here is the closest thing I've found in the UK to real Thai street-food, but it is literally sold out of the boot of people's cars. It's stuff they've made at home and brought to share with Thai tongues. Finding this is a foodie dream come true. Oh, and the temple is gorgeous too.

So beautiful visited with my mum and aunt last year for Thai New Year Songkran. There was music…read moreand dancing, blessings from the monks, Thai artifacts, ingredients and Jewellery for sale and the food. Oooh, the FOOD!!! Stalls and stalls and stalls of everything Thai. Real Thai food proper Isaan dishes like my Grandma used to make, Thai sausages I have never found outside of the country, authentic Thai tea ***sigh*** why can't everyday be like this? The temple is stunning and there is a lovely little garden/park for walks. very serene on a non-festival day. Visiting again next weekend for Songkran hope to take more pictures you must visit it's just gorgeous.

Open and welcoming evenings of formless meditation and teachings which explore how we may relate to…read moreour life experiences in a more simple and direct way. I would recommend the class for anyone interested in meditation and the Buddha's teachings.

From the owner: Courses introducing Buddhist meditation which are suitable for both complete beginners and…read moreexperienced meditators.

From the Buddhist movement in Japan that is building, donating and erecting these peace pagodas…read moreworldwide. It has 4 golden statues (one on each side) representing phases of the Buddha's life. You climb a short set of stairs to see them all. Overlooks the Thames on one side.

When I worked in South Kensington I used to cycle home from work along the Chelsea embankment…read more Every night I would stare across at the giant golden buddha on the opposite bank and wonder what on earth it represented and how it came to be. Since then I have had time to investigate. In 1985, the decision was taken to build a Peace Pagoda here in Battersea Park to join the dozens of other examples dotted around the globe. There is only one monk in residence currently, but apparently you can watch him ringing his bell and chanting every morning - though I haven't visited early enough to witness this yet! Even without him, the Peace Pagoda is a striking addition to Battersea's skyline. If you visit, take a few minutes to walk right around the structure and admire the individually-carved wooden decorations such as dragons and other mythical figures.

Who would have thought that there is a Buddhist temple right off Oxford Street?…read more The London Fo Guang Temple is a branch of the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan, which advocates Humanistic Buddhism. But anyhow, I stopped by to have a look and, after mentioning that it was my first visit, was led through the three prayer rooms by a member of staff, who explained the meaning of the individual rooms. Altogether a very friendly welcome and I stayed for a spot of much-needed reflection, only to be disturbed by a member of staff every few minutes; I had the impression that she wanted to make sure that I was not packing the four foot Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue into my handbag. There are daily chants, regular tea ceremonies, meditation classes and other events. This temple is worth checking out although visitors seem to be approached with a mixture of friendliness and wariness.