Buddhism for Beginners

Curious about Buddhism? This weekly class presents basic teachings that we can immediately use to improve our work and relationships, cultivate inner peace and increase our enjoyment of daily life.

Each hour-long class includes a meditation, a teaching, and time for discussion. Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $10 non-members

The Power of Peace: How Inner Peace Protects Us

When we train in inner peace, we discover how a calm mind creates new possibilities for ourselves and others. With a peaceful, balanced mind, we respond skillfully to difficulties and transform obstacles into opportunities. 

As countless dharma practitioners have discovered through the ages, “Change your mind, change your world.” It's not just a slogan, it works. Come join us and discover this truth for yourself!

Free for members / $10 non-members

“Call the Doctor—I Have a Pain in My Life!”

In Buddhism, we begin by going for refuge in the three jewels. Dharma is like medicine that protects us from the sufferings of the lower realms, Buddha is the doctor who prescribes this medicine, and the Sangha are the nurses who assist us.

Understanding this, we go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. In this series, we’ll explore the extensive, magical, inspiring practice of Buddhist Refuge. Bring your aliments—And bring yourself!

This online-only class is available only to members. Please join using the Center’s member link. Zoom link will be sent to all members via email. Attendance is free and no registration is required. If you don’t get the email by the first of the month, please contact epc@brooklynmeditation.org

Buddhist Book Club

Looking for a deeper understanding of Buddha's teachings that speaks directly to the heart? Join us Wednesday evenings as we study The Mirror of Dharma, the final book written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It covers the entire Lamrim—a series of meditations that guide us along the path to enlightenment—along with essential Buddhist teachings such as how to meditate and how to cultivate compassion. 

Each week is a self-contained class focusing on one section, so feel free to join any time. However, it is helpful to attend consistently so you can enjoy a comprehensive understanding of the book. By engaging in deep study of a text, we can profoundly improve our meditation practice and daily life.

Free for members / $12 non-members / Optional Discussion after class 8:15-845pm!

Friday Night In

We are always looking to go out, but happiness can only be found within. When we realize this truth, we can relax, knowing we can find inner peace whenever we want. 

Spend time with us on Friday evenings for an alternative getaway. Each night we will offer a simple, short teaching and meditation. Afterwards, we can relax and hang out with snacks. Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $5 non-members

Meditation Toolkit

Meditation gives rise to peace of mind, and when our minds are peaceful, we are happy. We will find relief from stress, anxiety and difficult relationships.

This program has been carefully designed to support those who wish to develop and sustain an enduring meditation practice. In particular, we will study the “Lamrim,” a time-tested system of 21 meditations that help us, step-by-step, become wiser, more compassionate people. Discover the joy of meditation, and become a lifelong meditator.

Free for members / $10 non-members

How to Make Wise, Clear Decisions

It’s time to stop fretting, overthinking, and feeling stuck. Through Buddhist meditation, we can learn to cut through confusion and make clear, wise decisions based on a deeper understanding of our own intentions and capacity.

Week-by-week, we’ll explore different meditations that help us cut through the inner fog and identify what we need to work on to move forward in life. These meditations will bring greater peace, reduce our anxiety and worry and create gradual positive change. Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $15 non-members