We offer study, practice, and discussion programs at various levels. Our shrine room is located on the second floor of the State Street Church, 159 State Street, Portland. There is an elevator, but it is not self-service. Please let us know in advance (info@portlandmainebuddhism.org) if you will need to use the elevator so someone can bring you upstairs.

Sunday meditation practice – 9-10 am

PLEASE NOTE: Our regular Sunday morning meditation will not be held on Sunday, January 4 because of Lama Lodro Lhamo’s program. It will resume the following week.

Our Sunday morning gathering is open to everyone and the best introduction to Vajra Vidya Portland. If you are joining us for the first time, please plan to arrive a few minutes before 9:00. Meditation instruction is provided for newcomers. Our shrine room has a variety of meditation cushions as well as chairs.

The session consists of one hour of sitting meditation with a two-minute stretch break in the middle. We recite short prayers in English at the beginning and the end. Please stay for tea and conversation from 10:00 to 11:00. 

On the first Sunday of each month, we end our meditation session a few minutes early for a brief, informal dharma talk by one of our members, followed by discussion over tea. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Tracy at tracyd108@yahoo.com. 

Note: Please see section below on shrine room etiquette.

Monday Hinayana/Mahayana Study Group – 6:30-8:00 pm

Our Monday night group studies Hinayana and Mahayana teachings. The meditation portion of each session includes chanting and shamatha and tonglen meditation, followed by a discussion of the reading.  If you have a regular practice of Buddhist meditation and would like to join us on Mondays, please contact Peter at pcomas12@gmail.com.

Wednesday Three-Yana Study Group – 6:30-8:15 pm

This group is for all who have taken refuge and attended the Monday night Hinayana-Mahayana group for one year or those with established Vajrayana practices. For more information, contact Jan at piribeckj@gmail.com. (Those who attend Wednesdays and practice ngondro may also participate in a weekly ngondro practice session and a monthly ngondro study group.)

Vajra Vidya offers Medicine Buddha practices on Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. and on the third Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. All are invited. Contact Kay at kay.sullivan@maine.edu or Donna at donnachamoff53@gmail.com for more information.