Links
Dharma Centers and Communities (Sanghas)
Other Helpful Resources
Audio Dharma
Dharma Centers and Communities (Sanghas)
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
A Buddhist community in Redwood, California, in the tradition of Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Sumedho & Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.
Asheville Insight Meditation Group
Located in Asheville, North
Carolina, this is a weekly community-led meditation group focusing on the
practices of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. It supports the practice
of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) by offering weekly sittings and one-day meditation events.
Bhavana Society
Established in Washington DC, in 1982, Bhavana Society is dedicated
to the practice of Theravada Buddhist meditation. Bhavana is a term
meaning mental cultivation. Bhavana Society is located on 42 acres
of secluded forest near High View, West Virginia (approximately 100
miles west of DC). The center offers Society members and friends rare
opportunities to practice Vipassana meditation in an ideal setting,
in keeping with the forest tradition.
Bodhinyanarama Net
Bodhinyanarama is a monastic residence of the Theravada tradition
of Buddhism set in a 51 hectare Native Reserve of regenerating bush
29 kms from Wellington, New Zealand. Bodhinyanarama has its origins
in the Thai Forest Tradition and is associated with the many branch
monasteries of meditation master Ajahn Chah.
Buddhist Society of Western Australia
The Buddhist Society of Western Australia is a Theravada Buddhist group based on the forest tradition of SE Asia. It was started by a small group in 1973 and has since grown to become the largest Buddhist organisation in Australia. We have members throughout Western Australia, in all states of Australia and Christmas Island, and overseas in countries such as Canada, UK, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and USA.
Cambridge Insight
Meditation Center
CIMC is a non-residential urban center for the teaching and practice
of insight meditation. CIMC’s programs are designed to provide
a strong foundation in formal meditation as well as daily practice.
Our schedule includes daily sittings, weekly Dharma talks, ongoing
classes and practice groups, teacher interviews, and a variety of
weekend workshops and meditation retreats. An open invitation is
extended to all to stop by CIMC and browse through the library or
join in any of the public sittings or Wednesday evening Dharma talks.
The Center for Mindful Inquiry
The Center for Mindful Inquiry (CMI) is dedicated to teaching the practices and principles of mindfulness to professionals. At CMI, course participants learn how to connect with, see and understand themselves, situations, and the people in their lives with greater clarity, wisdom, and compassion. By learning to apply mindfulness and to respond skillfully in the moment, professionals can bring benefit to themselves, to the particular situation and to all involved.
Dzogchen Foundation
Dzogchen, "The Innate Great Perfection", is the ultimate
teaching of the Non-Sectarian Practice Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is the specialty of the Nyingma school (Ancient Order) of Tibet
and is practiced by masters in all Tibetan schools.
The Forest Hermitage
- Wat Pah Santidhamma
This is a Buddhist monastery after the style of the forest monasteries
of N.E. Thailand but set in the Heart of England. It is owned and
maintained by the Buddha-Dhamma Fellowship on behalf of and for the
Bhikkhu Sangha, the community of monks founded by the Buddha more
than 2,500 years ago. The senior monk, or Ajahn, the Venerable Khemadhammo
Mahathera, with up to four more monks and a lay-attendant reside
here. The tradition is that of the Theravada school.
Forest Way Insight Meditation
Center
The Forest Way Insight Meditation Center is a forest retreat center
in rural Virginia. Retreats will be held on a year-round basis and
will vary in length from a weekend to one year in duration. Matthew
Flickstein is the resident teacher.
Gaia House
Gaia House is located in Devon, England. Gaia House offers Insight
Meditation (known as Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition) and Zen
Retreats throughout the year. The Centre provides comprehensive Dharma
teachings and spiritual practices to realize wisdom and compassion
in daily life.
Gainesville Vipassana
Society
Located in Gainesville, Florida, the purpose of the Gainesville
Vipassana Society is to support the practice of Vipassana (Insight
Meditation) by offering frequent residential retreats and weekly
sitting groups.
InsightLA
InsightLA, under the direction of Trudy Goodman, guides the practice
of Buddhist meditation individually, in sitting groups, and through
retreats in the Los Angeles and Southern California area. We offer
a range of programs which include the practice of Insight Meditation,
also known as Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition.
The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport
IMCN offers a variety of meditation opportunities including daily sittings, practice groups, retreats and workshops. IMCN is conveniently located in a beautiful rural setting close to I-95 and downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts.
The Insight Meditation Center
of the Pioneer Valley
IMC PV is a non-residential
urban center. Its mission is to offer the Buddha's teachings of liberation
to all those who are interested and to those who want to sustain
and deepen their practice. IMC PV is also named Dhamma Dena, after a lay woman who lived during the
time of the Buddha. Recognized for her profound wisdom, she becomes an example
to each of us that we have the capacity to touch the fountain of compassion and
wisdom that resides in us. The name Dhamma Dena honors the teacher Ruth Denison.
Insight Meditation Community of New Jersey
Insight Meditation Community of New Jersey offers peer support and
beginning instruction in Vipassana (Insight) meditation. The purpose of
our community is to provide a supportive and friendly environment for
the practice of meditation. The group meets in Morristown, NJ for
weekly Sunday night group meditation, and for monthly Saturday all day
peer retreats.
The Insight Meditation Community
of Washington D.C.
IMCW offers training in Vipassana – or Insight – meditation
and related Buddhist practices that awaken the heart and mind. We
serve the entire DC metro area. In addition to our flagship Wednesday
night class in Bethesda, IMCW’s programs include weekly classes
and sitting groups in Washington; Takoma Park and Frederick, MD;
northern Virginia and Shepherdstown,WV. We also offer nonresidential
weekend retreats and workshops, as well as a thriving community of
peer-led Kalyana Mitta or spiritual friends – groups. Longer
residential retreats, held several times a year, are open to out-of-towners
as well as DC-area residents. IMCW is guided by founder and senior
teacher, Tara Brach, in addition to a Teachers Council and Board
of Directors.
The Insight Meditation Group, Dublin, Ireland
We have been in existence for over 25 years. We meet weekly in Rathfarnham, Dublin. This meeting includes a period of sitting meditation, ongoing discussion on a book related to the practice. We also have time for tea and chat.
Insight Meditation Society
of Orange County
Located in California, IMSOC is just a name for two overlapping
sitting groups, or meditation support groups, one called the John
Wayne Dhamma Center, the other called Awareness Grove.
Insight Meditation South Bay
IMSB, dedicated to the liberating teachings of the
Buddha, was founded by Shaila Catherine to support Buddhist meditation practice in the Silicon Valley
and South Bay area of California. IMSB offers
training in mindfulness-based meditation, lovingkindness, ethics, concentration and jhana practices.
Weekly meditation groups are held in Mountain View.
Monthly daylongs, nonresidential weekend seminars,
residential retreats, and Dharma study courses are offered in the nearby cities of San Jose, Campbell,
Palo Alto and Menlo Park, as well as in Mountain View. Beginning
and seasoned meditators are welcome.
The International Meditation
Centres
There are six International Meditation Centres in the Sayagyi U
Ba Khin Tradition. All were founded to provide facilities for the
instruction and practice of Theravada Buddhist Meditation. Each of
the centres in the West is a direct offshoot of the International
Meditation Centre of Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon, Burma), which
was founded by Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
Kalyana Centre for Mindfulness
Kalyana Centre for Mindfulness is located in the south west of Ireland, on the Dingle Peninsula, close to Mount Brandon. The Centre offers Mindfulness Meditation, as well as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Simple movements known as Kum Nye (Tibetan healing yoga) and a skillful use of the voice (Voice Awareness) are integrated in some of our workshops and retreats.
Madison
Insight Meditation Group
The Madison Insight Meditation Group is comprised of people with
varying levels of training and experience in Vipassana, or Insight
Meditation. They focus on the essence of the Buddha's teachings that
underlie 2500 years of cultural traditions.
Mariposa Sangha
The Mariposa Sanghs offers weekly meditation, book discussions, beginning meditation instruction and Dharma talks. There are experienced meditators available to provide instruction. We collaborate with other Texas sanghas to offer retreats in Central Texas with visiting teachers from Spirit Rock in Woodacre, CA and Seattle Insight Meditation Society (SIMS). We enjoy occasional potlucks, Buddhist Movie Night and other social activities. Newcomers are welcome.
Metta Forest Monastery
Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Mettavanaram, or "Wat Metta" for short) is a Thai forest monastery established in the rural hills outside of San Diego.
Mid America Dharma
Group
Mid America Dharma Group is a non-profit organization dedicated
to making the practice of vipassana or Insight Meditation available
to others in the central region of the United States.
Mid-Peninsula Insight
Meditation Center
The Insight Meditation Center of the Midpeninsula has been meeting
since 1986 and is a gathering of individuals who meet in order to
learn, support and deepen their mindfulness practice. It is an informal
group and those interested in mindfulness meditation are heartily
welcome to join whenever they wish.
Meditation Center Beatenberg Switzerland
The center offers various forms of meditation from among the great
wealth of Buddhist traditions, continuing thereby a tradition of 2500
years, at the same time introducing forms and methods that are helpful
in our modern times. Particular emphasis is given to Vipassana meditation
retreats. The center is located in the Bernese Alps, a quiet, beautiful
mountain area of Switzerland with a grand view over Thun lake and
the surrounding mountains.
The Mountain Hermitage
Conceived as small meditation center in the exquisite, pristine, high country of northern New Mexico, The Mountain Hermitage is dedicated to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion and a way of life based on teachings of the Buddha. The deep belief that this sanctuary will help the world is the motivation for creating the Hermitage; where experienced meditators can undertake an extended period of intensive, independent practice. Marcia Rose is the founder and guiding teacher.
New York Insight Meditation Center
New York Insight (NYI) was founded as a nonprofit center for the
practice of mindful awareness (vipassana or insight meditation).
NYI provides a place where all are welcome to begin or deepen meditation
practice based on the liberation teachings of the Buddha. Programs
include evenings with renowned meditation teachers, ongoing classes,
daylong retreats and weekend courses for the integration of meditation
teachings in daily life. The events, except where noted, are suitable
for beginning as well as experienced meditators. NYI welcomes the
participation of all interested people.
Pa-Auk Forest Monastery
Pa-Auk Forest Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in the Theravàda
tradition, with emphasis on the teaching and practice of both Samatha
(tranquility) and Vipassanà (insight) meditation. Situated
in a forest along the Taung Nyo Mountain range in Mon State, Myanmar,
the monastery provides a conducive setting for the practice of long-term,
intensive meditation.
The Philadelphia
Meditation Center
A Non-sectarian Meditation Center in the Philadelphia Area. A center
for regular silent meditation practice. A place for learning in an
open and non-sectarian environment. A place to meet others, learn
a non-hierarchical, non-teacher centered place where we can support
each other's spiritual growth.
Plum Village
Plum Village, a Buddhist monastery for monks and nuns and a practice
center for lay people in France, was founded in 1982 by the Vietnamese
Zen-Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). During the course of the year,
Plum Village welcomes thousands of retreatants from all over the
world.
Princeton Insight Meditation
Princeton Insight Meditation is a meditation group that welcomes and respects all spiritual and religious traditions. We offer knowledge, skills and tools that can be naturally integrated into daily life and personal values. We provide a supportive place to learn how to meditate or deepen meditation practice. Sitting groups, both teacher-led and peer-led, meet in downtown Princeton.
Sacramento Insight
Meditation
Sacramento Insight Meditation's mission is to serve as a learning,
training, and community center for the development, integration,
and skillful use of meditation practices and awareness in all aspects
of individual, family, educational, institutional, work, and community
life.
Santa Fe Vipassana
Sangha
A Dharma Community in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Santa Fe Vipassana
Sangha is a community of Dharma practitioners seeking liberation
through Insight Meditation and integration of the Buddha's teachings
into daily life.
Saranaloka Foundation
The Saranaloka Foundation supports the ten-precept nuns of Amaravati and Chithurst Monasteries when they visit the United States. Saranaloka acts as steward for their needs while in the U.S. by providing
financial and travel support as well as helping to arrange teaching opportunities and personal retreats. Visit the website to find up-to-date information on teaching tours by the nuns.
Sati Center for Buddhist Studies
Sati Center for Buddhist Studies supports the study of Buddhist
teachings. Our perspective balances scholarly inquiry with serious
meditation practice. Our goal is to help participants explore original
Buddhist texts and appreciate the richness of the tradition and lineage.
We want to facilitate ongoing dialog and exchange among meditators,
teachers, students and scholars. Classes -- held at various venues
in the San Francisco area -- are small to encourage personal contact
and discussion. Our perspective is primarily Theravadin, but not
exclusively so.
The Satipanya Buddhist Trust
Devoted to Vipassana Insight Meditation in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma, Satipanya is non-sectarian and of benefit to anyone of whatever religious or non-religious persuasion. The unifying principle is the practice of Mahasi Vipassana Insight Meditation. The appointed Spiritual Director of the Trust is Bhante Bodhidhamma, an English Theravada monk of twenty years' standing.
Seattle Insight Meditation
Society
The Seattle Insight Meditation Society (SIMS) is a non-profit organization
devoted to offering the Buddha's teachings on insight and awareness
to all those who seek them. Founded by a group of longtime practitioners
of the dharma, or teachings of the Buddha, SIMS intends to
create and nurture an open and cohesive spiritual community, or sangha, to support the practice of mindfulness in daily life.
Seminarhaus Engl
Seminarhaus Engl e.V.is a non-profit organization that
was founded 1990 to offer retreats from different Buddhist traditions.
We were
inspired and encouraged by Sylvia Wetzel and Fred von Allmen. We
want to help that attitudes like compassion, tolerance and insight
get more attention in our society. Seminarhaus Engl as a place
of practice, retreat and meeting should not be an island, but a
bridge to a life with meaning right in our time. Engl is set among
fields and woods in Niederbayern, about 100 km east of Munich, Germany.
Sharpham College
for Buddhist Studies
The Sharpham College offers a broad education in traditional Buddhist
values critically applied to contemporary needs. The nature of this
education is meditative, transformative and creative. The curriculum
is designed to nurture a wiser and more compassionate orientation
to daily life. It aims to enhance confidence and conviction in one's
basic values, stimulate a renewal of personal and social vision,
and cultivate a deeper sense of connectedness with, and responsibility
for, others.
Southern Dharma Retreat
Center
Southern Dharma Retreat Center is a nonprofit educational facility,
welcoming a variety of spiritual paths, whose purpose is to offer
meditation retreats. Southern Dharma is located in a remote mountainous
area of Western North Carolina, an hour northwest of Asheville. Facilities
include a meditation hall, dormitory, a private forest hermitage
and creekside campsites.
Spirit Rock
Meditation Center
Located in Woodacre, California, Spirit Rock is dedicated to the
teachings of the Buddha as presented in the vipassana tradition.The
practice of mindful awareness, called Insight or Vipassana Meditation,
is at the heart of all the activities at Spirit Rock. The Center hosts
a full program of ongoing classes, daylong, and residential retreats.
Springwater Center for Meditative Inquiry
and Retreats
Springwater Center holds retreats throughout the year on 200 acres
of
woods, fields and streams in western New York. Retreats are in
silence with a non-technical approach to meditation, no ritual, and
an
entirely optional sitting and walking schedule. Questioning her affiliation
with formal Buddhist Zen, Toni Packer left the Rochester Zen Center,
where she had been a teacher, with a group of friends in 1981.
Springwater was born out of this need to see through the raw material
of our everyday lives rather than grapple with traditional koans
and
practices.
Stichting Inzichts Meditatie
This organization promotes the practice of vipassana meditation
in The Netherlands and organizes vipassana meditation retreats with
teachers from the East and the West.
Suan Mokkh
Suan Mokkh is a forest monastery along the coast of Southern Thailand,
600 km from Bangkok. It was founded in 1932 by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
and grew to become the most innovative and progressive Buddhist teaching
center in Siam. Although Buddhadasa Bhikkhu has passed away, much
of his work continues.
The Swedish Vipassanagruppen
Vipassanagruppen is a Swedish nonprofit organization for people who are
interested in insight meditation. They arrange regular sittings,
seminars and retreats.
Taos Mountain Sangha
Based in the beautiful mountains and mesas of Northern New Mexico,
Taos Mountain Sangha is a small community-based meditation center
dedicated to the practice and teaching of Buddhist principles. Under
the guidance
of Marcia Rose, the community
offers group meditations, classes, retreats, talks, and discussions
aimed at deepening participants’ practice and understanding.
Te Moata
Te Moata is a beautiful retreat centre situated six kilometres
north of Tairua, New Zealand, in 850 acres of protected native forest
in the heart of the Coromandel peninsula. Te Moata offers regular
Insight Meditation Retreats and many other workshops.
Tibet House
Tibet House is dedicated to the proposition that the wisdom and
arts of all human civilizations vitally enrich the emerging global
culture. Within this, we focus on a special concern for Tibet, its
people, its spectacular highlands, and its civilization of extraordinary
wisdom and beauty. Tibet House New York is part of a worldwide network
of Tibetan institutions committed to ensuring that the light of the
Tibetan spirit never disappears from the face of the earth.
True North Insight Meditation Centre
TNI is a Canadian rural residential retreat centre coming into being in Eastern Ontario. The intention for the Centre is to offer a place of serenity and meditation primarily in the Insight / Vipassana tradition.
TNI is an undertaking open to all, for the benefit of all.
Vallecitos Mountain Refuge
The Vallecitos Mountain Refuge is a wilderness ranch and contemplative
retreat center seeking to strengthen and support progressive leaders
and advocacy organizations working for social change and the protection
of the environment in our society.
Vermont Insight Meditation Center
Vermont Insight Meditation Center is a community-based, non-residential center for the practice of Vipassana or Insight meditation, and for the study of Buddhist teachings and mindfulness practice in daily life. We are located at Solar Hill, 229 Western Avenue in Brattleboro, Vermont. Vermont Insight offers a range of study programs and meditation practice opportunities. All are welcome to participate.
Vipassana Dhura Meditation Society
An IMS teacher in the '70s, the monk Achan Sobin teaches precision mindfulness. Learn sitting/walking meditation, the Sixteen Stages of Insight, mindful eating and more.
Vipassana Metta Foundation
of Maui
Located on Maui, the Vipassana Metta Foundation currently conducts
regular silent vipassana metta retreats: daylong, weekend, annual
two-week (March) and an annual month-long (August). We undertake cultivation
of awareness through the traditional practices of generosity, moral
conduct, concentration, insight and lovingkindness with the understanding
that liberation of the heart brings the greatest happiness which is
peace.Our vision includes establishing a small spiritual sanctuary
and hermitage for solitary dhamma practice.
Vipassana Hawaii
Vipassana Hawaii was established in Honolulu in 1984 to support
the teachings of classical Buddhism and to make them relevant to the
issues of our day. Our teachers currently offer weekly guided sittings,
classes for old and new students, individual meditation instruction,
and weekend, ten-day and three-week retreats.
Wat Dhammabucha
A Theravada Buddhist community serving central and south Texas.
The Westcoast Dharma
Society
The Westcoast Dharma Society was formed in Vancouver, BC, Canada
to promote Buddhist meditation practices (primarily Vipassana and
Metta) for the benefit of all beings. WDS focuses on retreat management
with the specific mandate of bringing senior Western Dharma teachers
to Vancouver to lead meditation retreats.
Other Helpful Resources
Access To Insight
Resources for practice and meditation -- directories, text archives,
self-guided tour through the Pali Canon.
Beliefnet
Beliefnet: a resource for faith, religion, inspiration and spirituality. Includes a section on Buddhism.
BuddhaDharma Magazine
Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly is the first in-depth,
practice-oriented journal for everyone with a serious interest in
Buddhism. From the publishers of The Shambhala Sun.
Buddha Net
BuddhaNet is the result of a vision to link up with the growing
world-wide culture of people committed to the Buddha's teachings
and lifestyle, as an on-line cyber sangha. In this way, an ancient
tradition and the information superhighway will come together to
create an electronic meeting place of shared concern and interests.
Buddhism in Canada
Links to Buddhist centers and temples throughout Canada.
Buddhist Geeks
Buddhist Geeks is a free weekly netcast presenting interviews and discussions with Buddhist teachers, scholars and advanced practitioners. Combining ancient wisdom with modern technology, Buddhist Geeks aims to catalyze a community of practice committed to awakening.
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship envisions a future in which people from all backgrounds come into a heartfelt realization of our interconnection to each other and to the Earth. We believe that actions generated from this understanding will create societies guided by generosity, compassion, wisdom, and justice.
DharmaNet International
A gateway to Buddhist resources.
Fearless Mountain
The newsletter of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.
Forest Sangha's Newsletter
The Forest Sangha is a world-wide Buddhist community in the Thai
Forest tradition of Ajahn Chah. The newsletter contains news, views,
articles, transcribed talks, poems, tutorials, contact addresses,
forthcoming events, retreat schedules, etc.
Gift of Lovingkindness
The Gift of Lovingkindness is an online discussion group for anyone interested in lovingkindness (metta) meditation. Share experiences, ask questions, lend and receive support.
Journal of Buddhist Ethics
The Journal of Buddhist Ethics has been established to promote
the study of Buddhist ethics through the publication of research
articles, discussions and critical notes, bulletins, and reviews.
Inquiring Mind
Inquiring Mind is a donation supported, semiannual journal dedicated
to the creative transmission of Buddha-dharma to the West. Founded
in 1983 and published each April and October, the journal is distributed
worldwide to a readership of more than 30,000 people.
Midwest Buddhist Information Center
A complete directory of Buddhist temples and centers in the Greater
Chicago area. (northern Illinois, northern Indiana, southern Wisconsin,
and southwestern Michigan.) Also offering a monthly calendar of activities
of Buddhist organizations in this area.
Mind & Life Institute
The Mind and Life Institute is dedicated to creating a collaboration
and research partnership between modern science and Buddhism.
Parallax Press
Gateway to Thich Nhat Hanh: schedule, books, information and centers.
Shambhala Sun Magazine
The Shambhala Sun is the magazine about waking up, bringing a Buddhist
view to all the important issues in modern life.
Sounds True
Publisher of audios, books and tools, including material
by IMS teachers.
Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
Tricycle is a non-profit quarterly magazine with an educational
charter to spread the dharma.
Turning Wheel
The journal of socially-engaged Buddhism that brings a sharp focus to urgent matters of peace, social justice, environmental activism, and dharma practice. Turning Wheel's fresh style and plain-speaking quality reflect the grassroots activism of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. Vipassana Fellowship
We are an independent site promoting a balanced approach to the
practice of Buddhist meditation as found in the Theravada tradition.
We aim to offer resources to help nurture and sustain a fulfilling
and effective meditation practice that is consistent with the Buddha's
teachings.
Audio Dharma
Click on any of the links below for audio dharma material.
Dharma Seed Tape Library
Preserves the oral tradition of contemporary dharma teaching by taping talks and meditation instructions given by teachers at various retreat centers around the country, and supports the daily practice of students everywhere by making these tapes and other materials inexpensively available to all.
Dharmastream
Internet access to the oral tradition of the Buddha's teachings from the Dharma Seed Tape Library.
Audio at Abhayagiri
Chanting and Dhamma Talks from a Buddhist community in Redwood, California, in the tradition of Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Sumedho & Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.
Dhamma Talks
Dhamma talks given by various teachers in the Theravada Forest Sangha tradition.
Audio at Mid-Peninsular Insight Meditation Center
This site is an archive of dharma talks given by Gil Fronsdal and various guest speakers at the center since 2000.
Audio at Seattle Insight Meditation Society
Listen to dharma talks offered by Rodney Smith and guest teachers at the Seattle Insight Meditation Society.
Satipanya Association
Guided meditations and talks by Bhante Bodhidhamma.
Sutta Readings
A selection of the Buddha's Suttas, read aloud by senior teachers and practitioners in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
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