Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
149 Lockwood Road
Barre, MA 01005
Website: buddhistinquiry.org
Description of Organization:
The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies was founded by Sharon Saltzberg and Joseph Goldstein. For more than 30 years it has offered programs that integrate the study and practice of Buddhism with teachers from multiple Buddhist traditions. Residential and online courses combining study, discussion, and meditation for connecting sangha, supporting curiosity, and expanding and deepening personal practice are offered. In addition to programs engaging classical Buddhist tradition, offered programs engage contemporary issues such as climate and social justice as well as programs that explore the dharma and psychology, art, education, and more.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2022, a grant in the amount of $14,500 was awarded to support “Radical Refuge: An Annual Buddhist Writing Retreat.” The retreat will bring together a diverse group of Buddhist writers at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) on a yearly basis for a four-night, five-day retreat focused on shared spiritual practice, individual and group writing, and community dialogue. This project emerged from conversations between Chenxing Han and Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad while preparing for the “BIPOC Wisdom and Skillful Means” panel at the June 2022 “Future of American Buddhism” conference hosted by Naropa University and the Lenz Foundation at the Garrison Institute. At Garrison, the two discussed their long-standing hope to see more connection and between Black and Asian American Buddhists. The inaugural year-longprogram will focus on Asian American Buddhist writers in order to strengthen relationships within this community and lay the groundwork for a Black and Asian Buddhist writing retreat in the summer of 2024. This 2024 retreat will draw on the lessons learned from the previous year’s retreat and will be co-led by a Black Buddhist and an Asian American Buddhist and will aim for a balanced number of Black and Asian participants.