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Home » January 2026 Newsletter

January 2026 Newsletter

Turning Wheel Buddhist Temple, Leicester Posted on by January 19, 2026

Thank you to everyone who has practised with us during the past year,
and to all those who have supported the temple in so many different ways.

Let us offer the merit of our practice to all beings.
May all beings be able to realise the truth.

Wishing you all a peaceful 2026.

Turning Wheel Buddhist Temple Logo

On New Year’s Eve we will be holding the traditional New Year’s Eve Festival, starting with meditation from 7pm. People will be able to take part in the ceremony either in person or via zoom, and details have been sent out to lay Sangha members.

During the ceremony we recite the Scripture of Great Wisdom, and a ceremonial copy of the scripture arranged in a fanfold design is “revolved”, symbolically showing it and offering it in all directions. After this we all drink a glass of celebratory New Year juice together, making a wish for the peace and prosperity of the temple and the Sangha, and all beings, during the coming year.

After the ceremony we will have a chance to meet and talk together, and the evening will end at about 9pm or so.

Then on New Year’s Day we will be celebrating the Festival of Maitreya Bodhisattva. Maitreya is known as “the Buddha who is yet to come”. It is said that Maitreya will appear when the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha has completely disappeared and been forgotten. Associated with new beginnings, the Festival of Maitreya is often celebrated on New Year’s Day.

A Japanese statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva
A Japanese statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva

In addition to welcoming visitors to the temple for the festival (please book in advance), we will also be holding the festival over zoom so that Lay Sangha members can join in from where they are. We hope you will be able to join us, and details have been sent out to Lay Sangha members.

This festival day will run from 10am to 4pm, with the Festival and Dharma Talk both in the morning so that people can come just for those if they would prefer. There will then be the option to stay on for a bring-and-share lunch and an afternoon of meditation, followed by tea and biscuits and an opportunity to ask questions.

The temple will be closed to visitors for just over a week in the first half of January, from the 3rd to the 12th inclusive, to allow Rev. Aiden to have some retreat time.

There won’t be any events at the temple during that time; after the festival on New Year’s Day the next in-person event will be the regular Dharma Evening at 7pm on Tuesday the 13th. You will still be able to contact the temple by email during this period, but not by phone or text.

It was lovely to have some lay Sangha members attending in person and others joining via zoom for the Festival of the Buddha’s Enlightenment on Saturday the 6th of December. Below is a photo of the main altar, set up for the festival.

Altar for the Festival of the Buddhas Enlightenment 2025
The temple altar decorated for the Festival of the Buddha’s Enlightenment

After the festival ceremony Rev. Aiden gave a Dharma Talk which is available on the temple’s website.

Donations of Food
Offering food is a traditional way to support a monk, and all donations of vegetarian food are most welcome. In particular:

  • porridge oats
  • peanuts or other nuts
  • peanut butter
  • fresh fruit and vegetables (except garlic or peppers)
  • dried herbs
  • cheese, eggs and yoghurt

Any other suitable items would also be appreciated.

The temple is dependent on donations for its continued existence, and any financial support you are able to offer is greatly appreciated. Details of how to offer support can be found on the Donations page of the website.

All donations are received with gratitude

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