A NEW meditation class is due to start in Tavistock, run by a local Buddhist monk. The evening classes will be held at the Alexander Centre in Plymouth Road, and will consist of teachings, meditations, discussions and chats over tea and biscuits. They will start with a free talk on Monday, June 5 from 7.30pm ? 9.30pm, after which classes will roughly follow school term dates. Everyone is welcome, and the classes are suitable for beginners, with no prior experience being necessary, and there is no need to book. The classes will be taken by James Cootes form the Ashoka Buddhist Centre in Plymouth, who took his lifelong ordination vows to become a Buddhist monk at a festival in the Lake District on May 24. The vows included refraining from killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying and taking any intoxicants for the rest of his life. James has been practising Buddhism in The New Kadampa Tradition for five and a half years and now helps to run the centre in Plymouth. He teaches evening meditation classes in Saltash, Plympton, Plymouth University and at the centre, and also works three days a week at Mount Tamar School ? a secondary school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties ? and runs a rock climbing club for children in Lipson Community College. For more information contact the Buddhist Centre on 01752 224137.