Tame your mind. Open your heart. ​Serve the world.
​Awaken.
​
Join us and explore ancient Buddhist wisdom and the bodhisattva path in contemporary life.
​We integrate both traditional Buddhist methods of study, self-reflection, inquiry and meditation with secular, empirically-based practices of mindfulness, altruism and self-compassion. 
Everyone is welcome!
All that's required is your wise and open heart.

For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, may I too abide to dispel the miseries of the world.
—Shantideva

Recent Dharma Talk
Get to know our local teacher, Sue Kochan, through a recent Dharma Teaching (4/3/2019) given at the Dharma Refuge Practice Center. 

(For access to a video archive of teachings by Sue, consider becoming a Sustaining Member of Dharma Refuge.)

Sign up to receive our monthly practice and program announcements and to learn about special study and retreat opportunities. 

Subscribe

* indicates required

Upcoming Events

Meditation Practice Labs
2019 Lab Schedule. Learn Buddhist meditation fundamentals, popularized as mindfulness, in a relaxed and interactive environment that emphasizes direct experience.

Labs will focus on establishing concentration to calm the mind. Instruction will be informed by neuroscience, vipassana (insight), compassion, and mindful self-compassion practices. Learn more and register.
2019: One-Day Meditation Retreats
Saturday's throughout the year we offer full days of silent meditation. This is a wonderful way to deepen your practice. You're welcome to attend the full day or any part of the day that fits your schedule. See the daily schedule.

​We welcome your presence. 
Living with Compassion & Courage: Bodhisattva Training Retreats
Join us for a this Mahayana series of retreats introducing the profound and transformative path of the bodhisattva. Led by Sue Kochan and utilizing a pre-recorded program of study with Pema Chodron, How to Live with Compassion and Courage.
See Elizabeth talk about "Agency" and what it means to be a student of the Buddha Dharma. (visit the home page on her site and scroll down to the video on "Agency.")

Special Live-streamed Program with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

Wed Nov 13th 7:00pm - 9:00pm

One of the most powerful qualities of the Buddhist teachings is that we are asked to honor and develop our own discerning intelligence or prajna. In fact, the Buddha himself said: “You are the agent of your own awakening.” This statement is a call to our natural intelligence—our ability to rise and discover our deepest potential.
​
However, when we begin to investigate the point where our discerning intelligence meets with the teachings, many questions and challenges may arise. Join Elizabeth for a deep and interactive exploration of this topic.
Check out Elizabeth's introduction to the program on the home page of her site. (scroll down to the video titled "Agency".

Suggested Donation $20 at the door. (No one turned away for lack of funds.)

Mission, Vision, Membership

Our Teachers

We study and practice under the guidance of teacher and spiritual director Sue Kochan and visiting teacher Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and our root teacher Anam Thubten Rinpoche, whose lineage and vision inspired the founding of our community. 

Buddhist Resources

Check out our recommended Dharma books, publications, affiliated centers and online resources for Dharma as well as secular mindfulness and mindful self-compassion.

A welcoming space

Our practices, classes and retreats welcome everyone into a safe, non-dogmatic sacred space to explore the teachings of the Buddha and to experience the refuge within, our own awakened nature.
Thanks to our sangha photographers who have so generously contributed their time, talents and photographs to Dharma Refuge! Bowing to: Carole Diamond, Michael Guida, Dave King, Sue Kochan, Judy Lombard of Bits and Peaces Photography, Ivan Ramos, Deb Pierce, Julie Gelfand and Steve Piper of GelfandPiper Photography