4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
New York (In-Person)
Roughly ages 13–30
Dāna offerings welcome
No booking required
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life
The Youth Program is built on a single conviction: the Buddha's teachings are as relevant to the pressures of modern young adult life as they were 2,500 years ago — perhaps more so. Each session takes a real theme from the lives of young people — stress, relationships, social media, identity, meaning, career anxiety — and examines it honestly through the lens of the Dhamma. No jargon. No pretence. Just clear, thoughtful inquiry into how to live well. The program includes a short guided meditation, open discussion, and a segment where participants can raise anything on their mind. The atmosphere is informal, honest, and often surprisingly funny. Young people leave feeling genuinely less alone — and more equipped to navigate their world.Session Structure
Each session is two hours — focused, energetic, and surprisingly deep.
Doors Open
Arrive early to settle in, remove shoes, take a cushion or chair, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before the session begins.
Guided Meditation
The program opens with a period of guided sitting meditation. The guidance is gentle and clear — suitable for those sitting for the very first time.
Dhamma Teaching
A teaching from the original Pali Canon led by our resident monk. Topics vary each month.
Q&A & Discussion
Open questions and discussion. No question is too simple or too advanced.
Close
The program closes with a short chanting of the Three Jewels and the sharing of merit.
Topics We've Explored
Each month brings a different theme — honest, relevant, and always grounded in the Dhamma.
Social Media & the Comparing Mind
How the Buddha's teaching on the roots of suffering maps directly onto the anxiety loop of likes, followers, and comparison culture.
Meaning, Work & Ambition
What does Right Livelihood really mean for a young person trying to make their way in New York? A frank conversation about purpose and money.
Relationships & Attachment
The Dhamma's clear-eyed analysis of love, loss, and attachment — and what it actually means to love without clinging.
Anxiety & the Restless Mind
Why anxiety is not a character flaw — and what Buddhist practice offers that a productivity app never can.
Climate, Uncertainty & Equanimity
How do you cultivate peace in a world that feels like it's on fire? The Dhamma's answer might surprise you.
Identity — Who Are You, Really?
Buddhism's radical answer to the question of selfhood — and why the answer is deeply liberating rather than nihilistic.
About This Program
No booking is required. Simply arrive at around 8:15 AM on the 4th Sunday of the month. We welcome walk-ins — no reservation needed.
Absolutely. The program is specifically designed to be fully accessible to complete beginners. The monk will guide you through every step. Many of our most regular community members attended their very first meditation session here.
The session is rooted in the Buddhist tradition, but it is not a formal religious ceremony. Non-Buddhists — including Christians, Muslims, atheists, and people of no particular faith — attend every week and find real benefit. Meditation is first and foremost a mental training.
Yes, and we encourage it. First-timers often find it easier to attend with someone they know. There is no limit on how many people you bring.
All teaching and guidance is in English. Some short traditional Pali chants may be recited, but these will always be explained beforehand.
Street parking is available on the surrounding streets. We recommend allowing extra time on Sundays. Please see the contact page for full directions.
"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, man cannot live without a spiritual life."— The Buddha
Come along this Sunday
No registration needed. Doors open at 3:50 PM on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Bring a friend.