From Humble Beginnings
It has now been three years since we began holding meditation classes in Cape Town. When we first arrived, there was no permanent venue. The first team of monks tried their best, moving from house to house, sometimes holding classes online, sometimes visiting different venues.
One kind supporter, Ms. Lauren Luiz, often welcomed us to her home. In the meantime, we searched for a place that could become a true meditation centre. Our dream was a wide, open hall—not too far from the community. Finally, we found this place, once a music store. As one member, Mr. Chriz, recalled, he used to come here to buy instruments. Back then, this place gave him happiness—and today, transformed into a meditation hall, it still gives him happiness.
The Birth of Cape Town Meditation Centre
Renovations began quickly. By good fortune, we were able to finish just in time for a meaningful date: 27 August 2022. This day is known as Dhammachai Day—the ordination day of our teacher, Luang Por Dhammajayo. We marked this as the official opening of the Cape Town Meditation Centre, with our very first class and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
From then on, every Sunday has been dedicated to meditation. Through trial and error, the classes grew into the structure we now use.
Three Years in Numbers
Here is a look at the journey so far:
- 2022: 165 attendances, 82.5 hours of meditation
- 2023: 839 attendances, 699.17 hours of meditation
- 2024: 824 attendances, 686.67 hours of meditation
- 2025: 682 attendances, 569.02 hours of meditation
Total (3 years): 2,510 attendances, 2,037.35 hours of meditation.
Behind these numbers are countless moments of peace, joy, and inner discovery.
Gratitude to Our Community
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us. Some have been with us since the first day—like Jean, Dr. Khine, and Trevor. Others joined soon after and have come consistently, such as Shelton, Kumen, Colleen, Clinton, Inge, Ruben, Miriam, Marla, and dear Grandma Alice. And there are many more who cannot all be named here, but each of you is in our hearts.
We are not masters—just fellow students of meditation, walking this path together.
Our Mission: World Peace through Inner Peace
Our purpose is simple. We do not seek to spread religion or change beliefs. We only wish to invite people to meditate, so that everyone can touch the happiness already within. When you are happy, we are happy too. And if meditation teams around the world fulfill this mission, world peace will truly be possible.
This mission began with one monk: Luang Por Dhammajayo, who ordained at the age of 25, on 27 August 1969. His ordination name, Dhammajayo, means “The One Who Wins by Dhamma.” He discovered inner happiness and chose not to keep it to himself, but to dedicate his entire life to sharing it with the world.
Over the last 57 years, he has built temples, guided millions in meditation, endured obstacles with patience, and sent teaching teams across the globe—including to South Africa.
The Monk’s Path of Simplicity
Monastic life is simple and free from worldly burdens. Monks depend on supporters for food, robes, shelter, and medicine. This freedom from worry allows them to focus on meditation, learning, and teaching. Their happiness comes from a heart unbound by fear, sorrow, or attachment to material concerns.
In the Buddha’s time, Venerable Bhaddiya, once a king, ordained and later became an arahant. He was often heard exclaiming, “Oh happiness, oh happiness!”—not because he missed his throne, but because, as a monk, he was finally free from fear.
This is the happiness we also wish to share.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate our third year, we continue with acts of goodness: meditating together, offering medicine for the monks here, and donating to the poor. Earlier this year, medicines donated by you helped heal both monks and laypeople at the centre. Whatever is left, we pass on to those in greater need.
We dedicate all the merits of these good deeds to our teacher, Luang Por Dhammajayo, now 81 years old. May he be blessed with strength, health, and long life, so that he may continue to guide us for many years to come.
A Shared Journey of Peace
Cape Town Meditation Centre is a small part of a much larger vision—world peace through inner peace. For three years, we have walked this journey together, and we look forward to continuing, step by step, breath by breath, in peace.
✨ Join us every Sunday for meditation. Together, let us nurture inner peace—for ourselves, our community, and the world.
