<BPF/Welcoming Communities Directory>

A Welcoming Sangha is a dharma center, sangha, or other Buddhist group that is committed to providing a compassionate welcome back for veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The intention of the Welcoming Sangha Project is to support vets and their families in finding practices and a loving community that will help them heal from the physical and emotional traumas of war. The project is organized by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

To learn more about the project or to apply to have your group listed in this directory, please visit http://www.bpf.org/html/current_projects/peace_pages/wc_info.html

Directory of Welcoming Sanghas

updated March 30, 2007

If you are a veteran, the following groups invite you to contact them to find out more about schedules for dharma practice and meditation instruction. In some cases, these communities offer special services for vets, including retreats, events, referrals to community resources, etc. This is noted in the "Comments" section. These groups are open to all -- there is no requirement to be a "Buddhist" to participate in any of these activities.

California

Organic Garden Sangha

9711 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

www.organicgardensangha.org

Contact: Susan Silver

organicgardensangha@gmail.com

Comments: I have a friend who is a Vietnam-era veteran and an advocate for veterans; he could help us identify veteran resources and contacts.

Illinois

Zen Community of Oak Park

163 N. Humphrey Ave.

www.zencommunity.org

Contact: Robert Joshin Althouse

info@zencommunity.org

Comments: The Zen Community hosts and organizes a "Coming Home" Coalition in Chicago of clergy, veterans, veterans' families and health professionals to plan events and programs that support veterans and their families.

Massachusetts

Zen Peacemaker Circle of Western Massachusetts

Northampton, MA 01060

www.zenpeacemakers.org/zp/circles

Contact: Margi Gregory

margigregroy@comcast.net

Comments: We are a supportive, peer-oriented practice that includes spirituality, community and action for the well being of our earth and its peoples.

Minnesota

Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

3343 East Calhoun Blvd

Minneapolois, MN 55408

Contact: Kimberly Johnson

Kimberly@mnzencenter.org

Zen Community of Oregon
P.O. Box 368
Clatskanie, OR 97016
Website: www.zendust.org
Contact: Cibyl Shinju Kavan
503-284-5687
feverfew@micromelody.net

Pennsylvania

Mt. Equity Zendo

Contact: Rev. Dai-En Bennage

Comments: Special retreats can be made up as the need arises.

WHAT IS A WELCOMING SANGHA?

Directory of Welcoming Sanghas

California

Illinois

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Pennsylvania