About

At Tsechen Tara Trust, we believe compassion is more than a feeling. It is something we put into action.

The word Tsechen means “Great Compassion” in Tibetan. Tara is one of the most beloved figures in Buddhism. Known as the Mother of All Buddhas and the Liberator, she embodies swift and fearless compassionate action, responding immediately to the suffering of others. Together, the name Tsechen Tara reflects everything our charity stands for. Great compassion expressed through meaningful action.

Inspired by the Mahayana Buddhist aspiration to benefit all sentient beings, our aim is simple. To relieve suffering, restore hope and create lasting, positive change wherever we can.

While our inspiration comes from Buddhist teachings, our support is open to everyone, regardless of faith, culture or background.

Charity Starts at Home

We have a bold vision for the future, but we believe every journey begins with the community around us.

Across the UK we want to support people who need help the most. This may include helping elderly people pay their energy bills during the winter, funding special days out for children with disabilities, assisting families facing hardship and supporting those who may otherwise be overlooked.

Rather than duplicating services already available, we aim to work alongside care homes, schools, community groups and established charities to maximise the impact of every donation. We will also seek out areas where little or no support currently exists, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.

We believe collaboration creates greater change than working alone.

Looking Beyond Borders

Our vision reaches far beyond the United Kingdom.

Many remote communities across Tibet, Nepal and India continue to face significant challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare and essential infrastructure.

Over the coming years we hope to help develop sustainable projects such as schools, medical centres, community facilities and other initiatives that will improve lives for generations to come.

Our goal is not simply to provide temporary relief. We want to help communities build stronger and brighter futures.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing

Modern life places enormous pressure on our mental health. Anxiety, stress and loneliness have become everyday struggles for millions of people.

We believe caring for the mind is just as important as caring for the body.

That is why Tsechen Tara Trust will regularly offer free meditation sessions, mindfulness courses and wellbeing programmes designed to help people find greater calm, resilience and inner peace.

These sessions will always be open to everyone, whether they have experience with meditation or are discovering it for the very first time.

Building a Place for Everyone

One of our greatest long-term ambitions is to create a retreat and community centre unlike anything else in the UK.

It will be a place where Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike can learn, relax, connect with others and experience genuine community.

Our vision includes:

• A beautiful Buddhist temple
• A large conference and events hall for retreats, teachings, weddings and conferences
• A welcoming coffee shop and restaurant
• Comfortable guest lodges for residential retreats
• Peaceful gardens for reflection and relaxation
• Community events where people experiencing loneliness can meet others, build friendships and discover they are not alone

We hope this centre will become a destination that attracts visitors from across the UK and around the world, bringing people together through compassion, learning and friendship.

Sharing Wisdom Worldwide

Our mission extends beyond physical locations.

We plan to create a growing library of online courses, guided meditations, inspirational talks and practical workshops that people can access from anywhere in the world.

Our aim is to help people develop happier, healthier and more meaningful lives by sharing timeless principles of compassion, mindfulness and wisdom in a practical and accessible way.

How Tsechen Tara Trust Began

Tsechen Tara Trust was born from a conversation between Khenpo Jamyang Lekshey and his student Stuart Ryall.

As they spoke, they realised they shared the same vision. They wanted to build a charity that would combine practical humanitarian work with the compassionate ideals of Mahayana Buddhism, helping people not only through financial support but also through education, wellbeing and community.

From that shared vision, Tsechen Tara Trust was created.

Although our ambitions are significant, we believe every great achievement begins with a single act of kindness.

Join Our Community

Every donation, every volunteer, every supporter and every act of kindness helps bring this vision closer to reality.

Whether you choose to donate, attend one of our events, join a meditation session, subscribe to our newsletter or simply follow our journey on social media, you become part of a growing community dedicated to creating a kinder and more compassionate world.

Together, we can turn great compassion into meaningful action.

We would be honoured to have you join us on this journey.