Manchester Buddhist Centre receives Marque of Excellence

The Manchester Buddhist Centre has been awarded the North West Multi-Faith Tourism Association's Marque of Excellence for its outstanding welcome to visitors, tourists, and people new to the MBC

The Centre was thoroughly assessed on various criteria, and was seen to be an outstanding example of excellence - in fact the assessor said that she had 'never written a report with quite so many overall category ratings of Excellent' !

An extract from the MBC's website quotes the Tourist Association's report as saying that -

"Manchester Buddhist Centre is an outstanding example of a sacred site that not only offers the visitor a genuinely holistic experience that touches the mind, the body and the spirit in equal measure, but also offers a vision of work as a spiritual practice. All are welcomed to visit and to engage with the site at whatever level they wish. Everything about the site is a reflection of the ethos and philosophy of Buddhism

“It is located in a Victorian warehouse, part of the city’s industrial heritage, which has been sensitively renovated, honouring the history and character of the original building, and with regard to making it as environmentally sustainable as possible

“It is known as an ‘urban oasis’ – part of its attraction is the sense of peace, calm and reflection that visitors feel when they visit the building. Visitors are welcome to sit in the reception area or tea area and relax from the stresses of the busy city outside its doors. The Buddhist Centre is very much a place of spiritual practice and there is a clear path of development and commitment to Buddhist practice for those who wish to know more"

The MBC joins four other faith sites in Greater Manchester who have been awarded the Marque of Excellence -

* Manchester Cathedral
* The Jewish Museum
* Cross Street Unitarian Church
* The Parish Church of St. Peter, Bolton

The MBC itself comments -

“There are other major faith sites across the North West we also join, including both Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral and Anglican Cathedral, and also Manjushri, the NKT’s headquarters at Conishead Priory in Cumbria.

“The award means that the MBC will receive a lovely plaque saying 'Visitors Welcome' on the outside of the building, and we will be promoted as a 'must see' attraction by the tourist board. We are also planning a big presentation ceremony of the award in spring / early summer - watch this space!

Read more on the MBC website here, or about the Multi-Faith Tourism Association at www.multi-faith.org/