Yellow Springs Dharma Center

05/31/2026

Our Spring Zazenkai....."A dragon sings in a withered tree."

05/16/2026

Wars rage, and injustice and unkindness spread. We may feel small, helpless and powerless. Do we have any power and how, without a self, to wield it? In this talk Heidi asks: What if the real power isn't in controlling the world, but in letting go of the one who wants to control it? Buddhism offers many paths to that question. None of them lead to giving up. Please read Heidi's Bio below in Comments.

Wars rage, and injustice and unkindness spread. We may feel small, helpless and powerless. Do we have any power and how, without a self, to wield it? In this...

05/13/2026

The Yellow Springs Dharma Center invites you to join our 6-week spring "Introduction to Meditation" course held on Wednesday evenings beginning May 20 thru June 17 from 7:30 – 8:45pm. This is an opportunity for both beginners and experienced practitioners to explore mindfulness and the practice of meditation in community. Held at the Dharma Center, 502 Livermore St. in YS, the course is taught by Roshi Katie Egart and the text is "Zen Meditation for Beginners: A Practical Guide to Inner Calm" by Bonnie Myotai Treace. This instruction is offered free of charge but donations to the Dharma Center are appreciated. Pre-registration is required by e-mailing: zen@ysdharma.org.

05/09/2026

The rains cleared away this morning and a gorgeous spring day emerged as we worked together to beautify our Center.

05/03/2026

Vesak celebration at the YS Dharma Center. Happy birthday Buddha!

03/25/2026

A very valuable teaching by Erik Pema Kunsang on the Bardo. Please read about Erik's extensive Dharma training below in the comments.

03/22/2026

Our Spring Equinox Zazenkai....

"Without forms, without self, spring follows the rules. Unstopped, unhindered, the moon traverses the sky"

02/18/2026

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche Celebrates the New Year of the Fire Horse at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Kathmandu, Boudha, Nepal. Happy Lunar new Year Everybody.

02/18/2026

Happy Losar! Tashi delek! Today, February 18, marks the first day of the Tibetan New Year. We are happy to share Mingyur Rinpoche’s Losar message as follows.

Dear Friends, Students, and Practitioners,

As we welcome Losar, the Tibetan New Year, we are invited to reflect not only on the passing of time, but on the evolution of our minds and hearts.

In traditional culture, Losar is a time for cleaning homes, offering prayers, and gathering with loved ones. In modern life, it can also be a time to “clean” our inner habits — outdated narratives, unconscious reactions, and limiting beliefs. Just as we update our technology, we can update our mindset.

Buddhist education today is not meant to stay in monasteries alone. It belongs in classrooms, research, leadership, families, and everyday conversations. Awareness is not separate from modern psychology. Compassion is not separate from social responsibility. Wisdom is not separate from daily decision-making.

This New Year, may we commit to three simple intentions:

1. Awareness — Training attention in a distracted world.
2. Compassion — Responding instead of reacting.
3. Wisdom — Applying timeless insight to modern life.

Losar reminds us that renewal is always possible. Every breath is a new beginning. Every difficulty is a training ground. Every relationship is an opportunity to practice kindness.

May this year support deeper learning, stronger communities, and the integration of ancient wisdom with modern understanding.

With warm wishes for a meaningful and awakened New Year,
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

02/18/2026