Tradition & Innovation • Leadership, Power, & Empowerment • Dharma for the Environmental Crisis
Engaged Buddhism • BIPOC Wisdom & Skillful Means • Digital Dharma & Virtual Sangha
Guiding Principles
COMMUNITY, NOT EXPERTS
Emphasis on Buddhist communities, engagement with traditions plus innovations
Diverse DEMOGRAPHICS
Representation across generations, lineages, gender/ethnicity/race, and other social locations
TOPICS THAT MATTER
Drawn from surveys of your Buddhist communities—discussed in workshops and breakouts
Scholarship Opportunities
To ensure participation from historically marginalized identities
In-person Event
We will be in-person together at Garrison Institute, and practice together in community
Focus on American Buddhism
The paths of American Buddhism are diverse, balancing tradition and innovation
GRANT-MAKING
IRS Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for a grant related to a conference theme
Housing Information
Your Conference Ticket does not include room and board. You must register here with the Garrison Institute, and you must purchase a commuter pass for meals even if you are not staying on site.
The Garrison Institute is located in a former Capuchin Monastery in Garrison, New York, an hour north of New York City in the Hudson River Valley. The Institute’s mission is “to apply the wisdom that arises from contemplation and insights derived from science to today’s pressing social and environmental issues to create a more compassionate, resilient future.”
Facilities include a variety of spacious meeting and break-out rooms, an inspirational non-denominational meditation hall seating up to 300, a wood-paneled dining hall holding 175 at one seating, a library, a theater, high-speed internet access, and state-of-the-art audio and visual resources.
COVID-19 Protocols
To attend a retreat or event at the Garrison Institute, all guests, teachers, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 including any eligible boosters. The Institute will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the local officials, NYS and the CDC.
At some point, retreatants will receive requests from their HelloSign account to provide their proof of vaccination, fill out a health questionnaire, and agree to their standard waiver of liability. Upon receipt of all documents, the Garrison Institute will provide all room numbers and additional information prior to arrival. There is no longer a face-to-face check-in process. You will receive more information regarding policies and protocols after registration.
Conference Panel Discussions and Panelists
Session 1: Tradition & Innovation
How is Buddhism innovating in an American context without losing connection with its Asian roots?
Session 2: Leadership, Power, & Empowerment
How are leaders and teachers across genders and diverse identities being empowered?
Session 3: Dharma for the Environmental Crisis
How is American Buddhism contributing to solving the critical environmental issues of our time?
Session 4: Engaged Buddhism
What new examples of engaged initiatives in America bring contemplative methods to social, educational, and political issues?
Session 5: BIPOC Wisdom & Skillful Means
How are BIPOC, Asian-American and other communities bringing new structures and modalities to American Buddhism?
Session 6: Digital Dharma & Virtual Sangha
What new platforms and venues are propagating dharma in America, and how has this changed the face of American Buddhism?
Session 7: Grant Funding Panel and Open Space Conversations
After the conference ends, the Lenz Foundation will give out grants based on the six themes of the conference. Preference will be given to groups with one or more representatives at the in-person conference or livestream. Lenz Foundation grants (currently with a 2022 grant pool of $250,000) follow its Grant Policy. During this unique funding panel, supporting sponsors—other foundation representatives—will discuss their successful grant programs and criteria for Buddhist and/or Buddhist-aligned initiatives.
During this time, we will also be offering Open Space Conversations. These provide an opportunity for conference participants to host conversations on the topics that matter to them.
Conference WorkShop Sessions
Your Conference Ticket Includes:
1. 6 LIVE Panel Discussions
2. Twice-daily workshop sessions
3. Daily Yoga and Meditation Practice
4. Grant Funding Panel
5. The Future of American Buddhism Conference Community Online
We are pleased to invite students to attend for a special rate. You must have a student ID valid as of June 2, 2022 to enroll at this rate. Click here for the student rate.