The Buddhist Network of Greater Baltimore

The Buddhist Network of Greater Baltimore is a loose affiliation of Buddhist centers and practice groups in the Greater Baltimore area. Representatives from the various groups started to meet informally in late 1999 in order to open lasting lines of information, communication, friendship, and cooperation, and to plan our first joint event, Baltimore's first annual Buddha Day Celebration.

The BNGB can be reached at info@bngb.org.

Members of the BNGB
Our Calendar

Announcements of regular practices and special events in our groups are posted on our calendar of events. If you are a representative of one of our groups and would like to have access to editing the calendar, please write to bngb-owner@yahoogroups.com.

Our Mailing List

News about Buddhist events in the Baltimore area is posted to our announcements list. If you would like to receive announcements of upcoming events, please enter your email address in the form below:

Subscribe to the
BNGB announcements list
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The following are the groups which are members of the BNGB. You may want to view this map to see where they are all located.

Please note that all of these groups are Buddhist. Unless otherwise noted, they are not secular meditation centers and all agree on this common definition of what it means to be Buddhist:

A Buddhist is someone who understands the dangers of samsara, recognizes the Three Jewels -- Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha -- as the ultimate protection, and determines to rely sincerely upon them throughout his or her life and to endeavor to refrain from harming any sentient being.

Kadampa Buddhism

Vikatadamshtri Buddhist Center

School: Kadampa Buddhism (NKT)
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Spiritual Director: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Resident Teacher: Kelsang Chogden
Contact: Kelsang Chogden
Phone: (410) 243-3837, Fax: (410) 243-3837 (call first to alert us)
Address: 2937 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Webpage: http://www.MeditationInMaryland.org/
Email address:Peace@MeditationInMaryland.org
Description:

Kadampa Buddhism offers the path of wisdom and compassion. We offer instruction in all levels of Buddhist meditation, including regular daily and weekly practices, retreats, courses and study programs.

Nichiren Buddhism

SGI-USA Baltimore Community Center

School: Nichiren Buddhism
Contact: Steve Harvey
Phone: 410-808-9094
Address: 1583 Sulphur Spring #118 Arbutus, MD 21227
Webpage: http://www.sgi-usa.org/
Email address:sgibaltimore@comcast.net
Description:

Basic practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for individual happiness and world peace. Discussion-type meetings in members' homes; also study meetings and conferences, etc. Many different types of activities with an extremely diverse membership.

Theravadan Buddhism

IMC-USA

School: Theravada
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Mother Sayamagyi and regional teachers
Contact: Orin Hargraves
Phone: 410-346-7889
Address: 4920 Rose Drive, Westminster, MD 21158
Webpage: http://www.carr.org/~imcusa/
Email address:imcusa@carr.org
Description:

IMC-USA Offers Vipassana training in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

IMCW-Baltimore

School: Insight Meditation/Vipassana/Mindfulness
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Tara Brach, Spritual Director; Trish Magyari, Resident Teacher
Contact: Trish Magyari
Phone: 443-939-0232
Address: evolvewell healing arts studio, 4800 Roland Avenue, Suite 301 Baltimore, MD 21210
Webpage: http://www.imcw.org/
Email address:trish@mindful-healing.org
Description:

Our peaceful and welcoming group meets every Tuesday, 7:30-9pm at evolvewell studio for sitting meditation followed by walking meditation and/or mindful movement (often with guided instructions/dharma considerations); intros and announcements; a short dharma talk and discussion about bringing the teachings alive in our daily life; and lovingkindness meditation. We have occasional half-day and full-day retreats, as well as sangha gatherings.

The Mindful Way

School: Insight Meditation
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Debbie Haverson and Walter Schwidetzky
Contact: Debbie Haverson
Phone: 410-241-0211
Email address:dhaverson@aim.com
Description:

The Mindful Way meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Towson Universalist Unitarian Church (TUUC) on Dulaney Valley just north of the Baltimore Beltway. It also holds occasional all day Saturday sittings.

Theravada Buddhist Practice Group

School: Theravada
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Jonathan Coppola
Phone: 410-545-0563
Address: 1127 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202
Description:

Theravada Buddhist Practice Group is an environment where people can study and contemplate the Buddha's teaching, practice meditation, and develop mindfulness in order to conduct the activities of daily life with wisdom and compassion. We offer seated and walking meditation, as well as group study of the Pali Canon, a collection of the teachings of the original Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Please contact the teacher for class schedules, and to inquire about upcoming retreats.

Tibetan Buddhism

The Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center

School: Shambhala Buddhist Lineage (Kagyu, Nyingma, Shambhala)
Teacher/Spiritual Director: The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Contact: Julie Heegaard (Center Director)
Yeshe Clarke (Shambhala Training Director)
Judy Bond (Nalanda Director)
Phone: 410-243-7200
Address: The Marylander, 3501 St. Paul St. Baltimore, MD 21218
Webpage: http://www.baltimoreshambhala.org/
Email address:info@baltimoreshambhala.org
Description:

The Baltimore Shambhala Center is part of an international organization of Shambhala Centers that offers Tibetan Buddhist study and practice. Also offered are Shambhala Training (a series of secular weekend workshops of talks and meditation based on basic innate wisdom and courage) and Nalanda Path, (a series of experiential designs and practices integrating a contemplative perspective and meditative principles into everyday life). The Nalanda Path (or Gate) offers single-day theme-oriented events as well as Dharma Art Weekends. Check our Web site for up-to-date information on ongoing events and introductory and intermediate classes.

The Bodhicitta Foundation

School: Drikung Kagyu
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Acharya Lama Gursam
Contact: Lance David Bergerson
Phone: 410-635-6638
Address: 12-A West Aylesbury Road, Timonium, MD 21093
Webpage: http://medicinebuddhasangha.com/
Email address:lance302@msn.com
Description:

The Bodhicitta Foundation is a center in Baltimore for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Our intention is to provide authentic Tibetan Buddhist meditation within a respectful environment that will inspire all attendees to quickly advance in their practice. Our center offers a Sunday Meditation practice from 11 AM to 1 PM. Practitioners of all levels are welcome.

The Ja Ling Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Center

School: Rimey Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Teachers: Geshe Ngawang Kalsang, Khenpo Tsultrim, Geshe Yishey Chendo
Director/Founder: Sherab Dolma (Barbara Apolonio)
Contact: Tenzin Bhuchung (Director/Translator, Buddhist Studies Program)
Phone: 443-520-2140
Address: 1417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Webpage: http://www.jaling.org/
Email address:Jalingcenter@aol.com
Description:

The Ja Ling Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Center aims to share the Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage with the people of Maryland. We do this by inviting Tibetan Buddhist Lamas from all the different schools to teach and be part of our community. Ja Ling is inspired by the Rimey (non-sectarian) tradition movement, following the example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by acknowledging that each of the different schools ultimately share the same philosophical views and practice while having their own unique attributes. We conduct Buddhist Teachings, meditations, and Tibetan Language classes every week. Please check our website for the monthly schedule of teachings.

Zen Buddhism

Baltimore Dharma Group

School: Soto Zen. Buddhists and non-Buddhists are welcome here.
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Rev. Dai-En Bennage, Mt. Equity Zendo; Resident Teacher: Zuijun Esho Gambert
Contact: Zuijun Esho Gambert
Phone: 410-567-5405
Address: 220 Wendover Road, Baltimore, MD 21218
Webpage: http://web.mac.com/bdgzendo/iWeb/BDG/HOME.html
Email address:bdgzendo@mac.com
Description:

BDG offers a wide variety of practice and study opportunities: Meditation Instruction, Sunday Morning Zazen and Service, Children's Service, Monday Night Zen Stitches, Thursday Night Study Group, and Spring and Fall Zazenkai, or One Day Retreat. Always call before you visit the first time.

Burning House Zendo

School: Rinzai Zen
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Eido Shimano Roshi
Contact: Mutei Doug Murphy
Phone: 410-698-4648
Webpage: http://burninghousezendo.org/
Email address:mutei@aol.com
Description:

Burning House Zendo gathers three times each week and periodically for longer retreats. Please call or email with any questions or to inform the sangha of your plans to attend.

Fresh Breeze Mindfulness Sangha

School: Practice in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen; open to all who aspire to live mindfully, regardless of religious background or affiliation.
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Thich Nhat Hanh
Contact: Carol Fegan, Chan An Cu
Phone: 410-323-2180
Address: 5824 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212
Webpage: http://home.earthlink.net/~freshbreeze/
Email address:freshbreeze@earthlink.net
Description:

Every Saturday 8:30 - 10:45 a.m. at Govans Presbyterian Church: sitting and walking meditations, sutra readings and dharma discussions in the style of Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's practice center in France. Newcomers, please call/email for orientation before your first session.

Howard County Dharma Group

School: Soto Zen
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Steve Hagen
Contact: Jeff Soulen
Phone: 410-419-4659
Address: Ellicott City, Maryland
Webpage: http://www.hocodharmagroup.org/
Email address:info2@hocodharmagroup.org
Description:

The Howard County Dharma Group provides a place for those who wish to establish, maintain, and deepen a meditation practice with the support and encouragement of others. We gather every Thursday evening for zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), monthly on Sunday morning for zazen, kinhin, and a recorded Dharma Talk by Steve Hagen, and periodically for longer retreats. Please see the website for more information.

Lotus Heart Meditation Group

School: Zen
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Thich Nhat Hanh
Contact: Ed Simons, Dex Westphal
Phone: 410-744-2185 (Ed), 410-467-0842 (Dex)
Address: breathe books, 810 West 36th Street Baltimore, Maryland 21211
Email address:cdw524@verizon.net
Description:

Sundays, 8:30am-10:30am. Classes in stress reduction via guided sitting and walking meditation followed by short readings and discussion. Special emphasis on group support for job seekers. Buddhist meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. All are welcome.

Zen Community of Baltimore, Clare Sangha

School: Soto-Rinzai Zen
Teacher/Spiritual Director: Bruce Seiryu Blackman, Sensei
Contact: Carl Pohlner, BNGB Representative
Phone: 703-255-4769
Address: Mark Wiess, 138 Chargeur Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Webpage: http://www.zcbclaresangha.org/
Email address:info@zcbclaresangha.org
Description:

ZCB is a lay, multi-faith group offering Zen practice and training in the White Plum and Zen Peacemaker traditions. See webpage for schedule -- principally days of silence, quarterly retreats, orientation meetings, and Zen precept study. We currently meet at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, 8400 Park Heights Ave North, Pikesville, MD 21208. ZCB is linked with groups meeting weekly in Baltimore, and with groups holding retreats outside Baltimore.

Please send comments and questions
to info@bngb.org.
This page was last updated on:
2010-02-15 18:25:15