The Samatha Trust
Founded in 1973, The Samatha Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which fosters practice and study in the Samatha-Vipassanā tradition; traditional techniques of self-cultivation leading to inner-strength, tranquility and knowledge. The meditation method has its origins in ancient India, but developed over recent centuries in Thailand and was brought to Britain in 1963.
Local classes offering instruction in meditation are held in many parts of Britain. Other activities from time-to-time include: groups for experienced meditators and study groups working on aspects of Southern Buddhist (Theravada) theory, practice and texts; chanting; celebration of puja and occasional work relating to Mahayana and Western traditions.
The Trust has three centres. A national centre in Wales and regional meditation centres in Manchester and Milton Keynes.
The national Samatha Centre at Greenstreete, Llangullo, is a converted farmhouse with individual accommodation, forest meditation huts and a purpose built shrine hall, where regular courses for beginners and experienced meditators are held in a rural setting. The grounds consist of more than 80 acres of hill country, including rivers, footpaths and substantial areas of woodland.
The Manchester Centre for Buddhist Meditation in Chorlton-cum-Hardy integrates a modern extension housing purpose built meditation areas and meeting rooms with an older building with a large meditation hall, meeting rooms and a library. The Manchester Centre is the hub for classes throughout the north and is also a venue for introductory meditation classes throughout the week, study groups, classes for experienced meditators, days of meditation practice and longer courses.
The Samatha Meditation Centre in Great Holm, Milton Keynes, is centrally located and within easy reach by public transport. It is a generous suburban house with good facilities and pleasant open green spaces. The house is large enough to comfortably accommodate small groups of people with some space for visitors to stay. During the week, the Centre offers introductory courses for local people interested to learn meditation, meditation days at the weekends for more experienced meditators and occasional residential weekend courses.
Registered Charity No.1179867
Send emails to info@samatha.org
Or write to:
The Secretary,
The Samatha Centre,
Greenstreete,
Llangunllo (near Knighton),
Powys,
LD7 1SP,
United Kingdom.
The Samatha Foundation of North America
Samatha meditation classes and courses in North America are offered under the auspices of the Samatha Foundation of North America, a 501(c)(3) religious charity based in Chicago, IL - https://samathameditation.org
The Samatha Foundation of North America is an independent organization, not formally associated with the Samatha Trust.
For more details about Samatha meditation in North America or the Samatha Foundation of North America, please e-mail
samathanorthamerica@gmail.com.
The Samatha Trust
Concerns and Complaints Procedure
We aim to offer a high level of care and attention to the teaching of meditation in all our classes, courses and associated activities, under the auspices of the Samatha Trust.
However, we recognise that, in order to maintain, develop and improve the quality and delivery of our courses, we need to receive constructive feedback and be kept informed of any problems experienced by those to whom we teach meditation.
The Samatha Trust will take seriously any feedback, concern or complaint received and aim to resolve problems through the effective use of the Concerns and Complaints Procedure. We endeavour to make those whom we teach aware of this procedure and will provide a copy of the procedure on request. If a complaint alerts us to possible abuse or neglect we will alert the appropriate safeguarding officer who will investigate with the help, if appropriate, of our safeguarding consultants thirtyone:eight.
In appropriate cases we may suggest the involvement of a trusted third party to help resolve any disagreement arising from a concern or complaint.
For further details please download a copy of the Samatha Trust Concerns and Complaints Procedure in the Downloads menu to the right of this page.
The Samatha Trust
Safeguarding Policy and Practice
The Samatha Trust recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” As a Leadership we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
The policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by thirtyone:eight our Safegurding consultants.