Dharma Gates

NYC! Join us for a special in-person event, Exploring the Future of the Dharma in America: Honoring Tradition, Meeting the Moment *this Saturday* May 30th from 10am-4pm at .us ✨ Link in bio to RSVP!

In a time when many Buddhist communities are facing an imminent generational transition, skillfully passing the torch to the next generation is of utmost importance for the preservation and continuity of all that’s been cultivated. And in a time of political unrest and global ecological crisis, creating a culture deeply resourced in compassion, clarity, and resilience may be among the most important work there is.

​How can we resource young people to face a challenging future? How can we connect them to Sanghas — which ultimately also rely on their presence for continuity? How can we bridge the depths of Buddhist practice into the cultural vernacular of a new generation without compromising the core of the teachings?

​These questions are the work of Dharma Gates. On May 30th, we are thrilled to host a day-long gathering at Tibet House New York to explore them together.

​This day brings together Buddhist teachers, young adult practitioners, Dharma Gates staff and alumni, and all practitioners and stakeholders invested in this conversation — to create a shared field of practice, dialogue, and community.

​Who This Is For:

​For Dharma Gates alumni and community members: this is an opportunity to reconnect with friends from past retreats, deepen your connection to the Dharma Gates community, and meet the teachers and supporters whose generosity makes this work possible.

​For teachers, practitioners, and those curious about the future of Buddhism in the West: this is an opportunity to meet the young practitioners who have benefitted from Dharma Gates programs, engage with the questions driving our work, and explore how you might support this mission.

​We encourage you to join for the full day if you’re able, while understanding if you prefer to drop in for a specific part.

We want to highlight a special young adult sesshin happening at in New Mexico June 9th-14th ✨🙏📿 This sesshin will be led by teachers Noah Kodo Roen Sensei, Wendy Dainin Lau Sensei, and Dharma Gates co-founder Miles Bukiet. It’s bound to be a powerful retreat and a beautiful opportunity to connect with other young adult practitioners.

In an era defined by rapid technological shifts, environmental uncertainty, and an increasingly fragmented social landscape, today’s young adults face a set of circumstances unlike any before. The constant “on-call” nature of the digital world and the weight of global crises can lead to a unique brand of burnout—one that feels both deeply personal and overwhelmingly systemic.

This retreat offers a sanctuary for those aged 18 to 35 to step back from the noise and ground themselves in time-tested contemplative practices. We recognize that today’s challenges require more than just “self-care”; they require a fundamental cultivation of resilience, clarity, and compassion.

What to Expect:

Deep Immersion: Move beyond the surface of app-based meditation and dive into formal, silent practice supported by the Zen tradition of silent retreats (sesshin). You will be guided by experienced teachers and do not need prior experience in meditation to participate.

Peer Community: Connect with a vibrant group of practitioners who share your context. Experience a more authentic connection with peers through community practice – working, sitting, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, supporting each other.

Nature Wisdom: Reconnect with nature on the beautiful Upaya campus and in the surrounding wilderness. The community will be guided on a silent hike to Picacho peak and invited into a journaling exercise in nature.

Skillful Action: Learn how to transform inner presence into outward service, exploring what it means to serve and heal our complex world.

Why Practice Now?
The goal isn’t just to escape the world, but to return to it with a clearer mind and a more courageous heart. We aim to empower a new generation to meet the urgency of our times with embodied presence.

Head to www.upaya.org to learn more! ✨