How to Attend a Dharma Refuge Practice or Program

Attend in-person
Dharma Refuge is located at Covenant United Methodist Church (2nd Floor)
1124 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY 14609
Parking is available in the rear lot behind the church. There is an elevator off the rear lobby of the church, which will take you to the center on the second floor.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of each program or practice, while we have our volunteer door greeters available to let you in. The Church doors are kept locked, when our greeters aren't present.
  • Zoom attendees may join at any time.

Zoom participation
Click the button above to join Zoom or cut and paste this link into your browser.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86875356946?pwd=MkUyNWk4YjNMQnlwaFFkeFpmZTVpUT09 
Check out: FAQ's about participation.
Generosity and Reciprocity
We offer practices and programs freely in the spirit of trust, and mutual generosity. We exist through the support of our many volunteers, our sangha members and guests. We invite you to make a tax deductible donation here or at the center, if you are able and giving is part of your spiritual practice.

Frequently Asked Questions.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. 
​—Dalai Lama

Do I have to be a Buddhist?


​Absolutely not! Identifying yourself as Buddhist is just a concept. For many of us, it's a helpful one - what we call "skillful means". In the end, however, it's something we intend to go beyond. This idea is often explained as "You get in the boat to get to the other shore, once you've arrived there is no need to put the boat on your back and carry it."
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Our community has found great benefit in studying the Buddha's wisdom and in actively working with our own minds and hearts to experiment with what we've learned, applying it in life to see if it brings greater ease, happiness, and perhaps even freedom. Many have found this wisdom to be compatible with their own faith traditions or with no faith tradition. What's offered and discovered within this path of awakening wisdom is a method to train the heart and mind in order to deepen and awaken an inner wealth - one we've always sensed as available but perhaps not always fully accessible. We invite you to "come as you are" with curiosity, discernment, and openness, to see what might be possible for you.

How do I prepare for practice?


Everyone is welcome.
If you choose to come to our Dharma Center, please see our newsletter for important information about arrival times.
If you attend by Zoom, no worries if you arrive a few minutes late. Just login to the Zoom room and settle in.

​No previous experience is required. Just bring an open heart! 
All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others.

​—Shantideva

How are practice schedule changes communicated?


​PLEASE subscribe to our email newsletter (see footer below) for specifics of our practices and other events. In case of inclement weather or other emergencies, newsletter subscriber will be notified by email of any changes.
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