Chandrakirti Meditation Centre is a rural Tibetan Buddhist centre at 289 Sunrise Valley Road in Upper Moutere, near Nelson. It is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Most teachings and retreats are led by resident teacher Geshe Jampa Tharchin, who teaches in English, or with a translator for more advanced subjects. The Sunday meditation class is open to everyone with no experience needed, and you can drop in by donation. Popular teachings are followed by a vegetarian lunch at the centre.
Reviewers call it a calm, beautiful place and say the gardens are lovely to wander, especially after a Sunday morning class. They also praise the friendly people and say it suits all sorts of visitors. The grounds hold a collection of 21 Taras in Nalanda Hall, a Guru Rinpoche statue, a stupa, a Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the garden, a large prayer wheel and a Ksitigarbha statue. The Dalai Lama visited and blessed the centre in 2002. We hear the centre holds Lhapso and Lungta Day 2026 from 10am on 24 October to 6pm on 25 October, and everyone is invited.