Living in the Buddhafield

A community living programme at Leela

Come and experience everyday life at Leela

Living in the Buddhafield (LIB) is Leela's community living programme, offering the opportunity to stay at the centre for a week or more and experience everyday life here.

Share meals, join morning gatherings, take part in meditation and movement, contribute to the running of the community, and make space for your own work, rest and creative projects.

Note

The Living in the Buddhafield programme pauses during our summer festival season. and also does not run during festival events throughout the year.

During these times the centre is fully focused on hosting festivals and retreats.

Young woman with red hair wearing headphones using a laptop outdoors at a wooden table near a brick building.

Stay for a while. Become part of everyday life at Leela.

LIB gives you the opportunity to spend an extended period at Leela, becoming part of the community while keeping space for your own life.

Life here has a shared rhythm, created through communal meals, gatherings, meditation, movement and practical contribution. Alongside this, there is time to work, rest, explore the land, meet people, pursue creative projects or simply enjoy being here.

Leela is home to a resident community as well as people who come for retreats, festivals, trainings and other programmes. A lot happens behind the scenes every day to care for the house, gardens, land and shared spaces.

As a LIB guest, you become part of this working culture. Your daily contribution is a small but meaningful part of keeping community life flowing.

Most people stay for a week or more, giving themselves time to settle in, get to know the community and find their own rhythm within it.

Six people smiling and posing closely together, with flowers in the background.
A woman standing in a room looking outside through open curtains at an outdoor event with people sitting at tables and colorful banners.

What we mean by “Buddhafield”

At Leela, we use the word Buddhafield to describe the atmosphere created when people come together with presence, awareness and intention.

It lives in the way we meet one another, care for the land, share everyday life and create space for connection, reflection and growth.

LIB is one way to experience this culture from within the everyday life of the centre.

Thinking about joining us?

Here’s everything you need to know about community life, what you’ll contribute, what’s included and how LIB works.

Come and live at Leela for a while

Perhaps you’re looking for a change of pace, a place to focus on your work or creative projects, or simply curious to experience community life for yourself.

Whatever brings you here, LIB offers the opportunity to spend some time at Leela, contribute to the life of the community, connect with the people around you and find your own rhythm within everyday life here.

Stay for a while. Become part of the community.

A man with a beard and short dark hair smiling, wearing a maroon robe, sitting indoors with an orange wall, a Buddha statue, and a window in the background.

“It’s wonderful to relax and go with the flow while helping out in the community. It feels like home here, like I’m among family. It’s special to receive and share that love.”

Sandeep, LIB Programme

Food at Leela

All food is vegetarian, drawing inspiration from cuisines from around the world. Garden produce is used when available including green salads and culinary herbs.

There is a separate tea making area with a wide range of beverages which include herbal teas, coffee, decaf, green and black teas, hot chocolate, plus cow’s milk and alternative milks.

We cater for the following diets …

  • Dairy-free / Egg-free

  • Gluten Free

  • Sugar conscious

  • Vegan and vegetarian

Food is prepared in a shared kitchen where allergens are present. See our food information page for details.

A white plate with mixed greens, sliced radishes, cherry tomatoes, sprouts, and edible flowers, along with slices of whole grain toast, guacamole topped with sprouts, and a slice of cantaloupe