Buddhism on Campus: Building a Movement

An Invitation-Only Gathering - August 17-20th, 2026

How can we foster deeper contemplative practice and community on college and university campuses? 

This gathering at Lifebridge Sanctuary is for student leaders and those who work with them to support and inspire Buddhist advisors, student leaders, and partners to strengthen, connect, and expand Buddhist practice and community on campuses across the U.S. We will learn from each other and identify inspiration for new opportunities and growth in campus contexts in the United States. Our time together will enable us to build connection and community between leaders in the field.  This will also be a venue for young practitioners to participate as leaders in a conversation exploring possibilities for Buddhist practice and community in institutions of higher education.  We understand our time together as one part of an ongoing and evolving process to support student practitioners, and aspire to develop further programming and resources based on our work together. Bring your brilliant ideas for Dharma on campus!

The principal purpose of this gathering is to come together in a series of facilitated conversations about the field. This work will be supported by contemplative practice opportunities and will be complemented by less structured time for community and connection. This is not a meditation retreat.  

The program will take place at Lifebridge Sanctuary in New York from Monday August 17th - Thursday August 20th. Registration will be from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on August 17. We request that all participants plan to stay for the entire program including pre-departure activities on August 20. The event will end by 10:30 AM on August 20. If you need to miss part of the program, please discuss it with the person who invited you. Additional information about the program will be sent separately. The program is for invited guests only; there will be no cost to participate in the program. Through the generous support of the Hemera Foundation, we are able to offer travel reimbursement for all attendees.

Join this Whatsapp for Pre-Conference information and coordination. You can self-organize ride shares on our ride board here.

  • This event will be hosted at Lifebridge Sanctuary outside of Kingston, New York. Accommodations and meals will be provided. All meals will be vegan with gluten free meals available on request. Please inform the Dharma Gates’ staff of any additional dietary restrictions upon registration.

    Participants will have one roommate with the possibility that student attendees may share a larger room.

  • The official event schedule will be announced to registrants in the coming weeks.

  • This event will be facilitated by Thomas Bruner. Thomas is a nonprofit consultant with decades of experience supporting and leading mission-focused, humanitarian organizations and a long-term practitioner in the Soto Zen tradition from Dharma Rain Zen Center in Oregon.

  • Through the generous support of the Hemera Foundation, we are able to offer travel reimbursement for all attendees. We will offer up to $700 for people traveling from the Mountain or Pacific Time Zones, $400 for people flying in from the Central Time Zone and Eastern Time Zone, and up to $100 for those arriving by train or car from neighboring states. If you require additional support, please feel welcome to inquire. We may be able to provide additional support for people whose travel requires it on a case-by-case basis. We will not be able to reimburse international travel, lodging or meals. Students attending the gathering will also receive a $200 stipend as an appreciation. Please plan to save receipts to submit in accordance with Dharma Gates Policy

  • Uber Shuttle provides affordable, scheduled, shared rides between all major airports in NYC (JFK, LGA, EWR) and major train stations. Staff from this conference will pick you up in the Hudson Valley at the Rhinecliff train station on the Amtrak line or the Poughkeepsie train station on the Metro North Line. You can schedule the Uber Shuttle or a private uber / lyft on their apps.

    To get the Amtrak, take either the Uber Shuttle (~$10-$25) or a private uber / lyft (~$80 from JFK, ~$70 from LGA, ~$40 from EWR) to Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

    The Metro North has 2 stops in the city: Grand Central Terminal and Harlem 125th-Street. The Uber Shuttle (~$10-$25) only stops at Grand Central Terminal. You can take a private uber / lyft (~$70 from JFK, ~$50 from LGA, ~$70 from EWR) to Grand Central Terminal or to (~$80 from JFK, ~$50 from LGA, ~$90 from EWR) Harlem-125th Street station.

Registration

Co-sponsors:

photos from Lifebridge Sanctuary, Event Venue

Dharma Gates is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to opening pathways into formal meditation practice for young adults.

The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies offers the integration of study and practice in exploring the many streams of teaching and expression that flow from the sources of early Buddhism.

The Hemera Foundation works to cultivate depth and innovation in the application of contemplative practice, as well as opening access to practice by supporting organizations of integrity and scholarships for practitioners.