My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. |
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." 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. |
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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Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter! We'll keep you posted on programs, retreats, and all-around good stuff! :) Our regular practices are held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Most are available both in-person and Zoom. See our newsletter for our current schedule. Dharma Refuge is located at Covenant United Methodist Church (2nd Floor, parking in the rear lot behind the church. Elevator off the lobby at the rear door.) 1124 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14609 Copyright 2023 Dharma Refuge; Dharma Refuge is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation. |