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Meditation and Buddhism classes

Open Day

How to book

Contact details

Finding the Centre

Terms and conditions


Higher Evolution Centre activities:

Yoga classes

Chanting workshops

Kung Fu classes

Chi Gung/ Tai Chi classes

See Higher Evolution Centre home page for more activities, workshops etc.


Ipswich Buddhist Centre - an FWBO Centre

The history of the FWBO in Ipswich

1985 Rex Smart starts running meditation classes at his home in Spring Road.
1988 Classes move to a house in Bramford Road.
1989 Buddhist community founded at Palmerston Road. Classes move to the tiny front room there. 3-4 classes per week taking place.
1990 Rex Smart ordained as Saddharaja.
Oct 1990 The Evolution shop is founded.
June 1992 Jñanamitra moves to Ipswich, a year after being ordained.
July 1992 Classes move to the Co-op Education Centre on Upper Orwell Street.
Jan 1993 The charity 'FWBO (Ipswich)' founded.
Feb 1995 Buddhist community 'Maitriloka' founded at Newark Close.
1992-1997 Gradual increase in class sizes and resources.
Spring 1997 Classes move to a large dance studio at the Unicorn Centre, Foundation St.
Summer 1997 Steve Wilson ordained as Harsharatna.
July 1997 House on Hadleigh Road bought as new home for 'Maitriloka' community.
May 1999 Saddharaja leaves for Windhorse Trading, Cambridge.
March 2000 Unicorn Centre becomes unavailable. Classes become peripatetic; rooms used at the Library, the Town Hall, and Suffolk College (courtesy of SIFRE).
April 2000 Srivandana moves to Ipswich from Brighton.
2000 Bodhivamsa (from Colchester Buddhist Centre) joins the Ipswich teaching team.
October 2000 Lease signed on premises at 5 Thoroughfare (current premises).
June 2001 Roger Evans ordained as Gunasara, Martin Hillary ordained as Dayasara.
July 2001 Ipswich Buddhist Centre officially opens. Spiritual opening by Sanghadevi; secular opening by the Mayor of Ipswich.
July 2002 Jñanamitra (representing Suffolk Buddhists) meets the Queen and receives a royal handshake during the Jubilee tour.
June 2004 Mairtin O'Connor ordained as Sukavi.

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A carving of the Buddha at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre

About the Centre

About the FWBO