Overview​​

Participants in our community come from diverse contemplative traditions. All are welcome, including those new to meditation or dharma practice.

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Sangha Story​

Portland Dharma Sangha (previously Portland Dharma House) was established in the Fall of 2017, and has evolved in various ways since. Initially, the sangha was envisioned to be rooted in a residential hub, to create a supportive environment where residents and community members could explore meditation, dharma, and socially-engaged practice together. In the early years of the pandemic, our offerings shifted to be primarily online, increasing our accessibility and geographical reach.

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Currently, we aim to balance online events and in-person gatherings, which rotate through various sangha members’ homes. In Spring 2025, we discontinued the residential component of the sangha, and began a restructuring process to support the continued growth of our community.

 

Socially Engaged Practice​

As a sangha, we share a commitment to exploring the intersections between dharma and social justice, with the aspiration to alleviate individual and collective suffering.

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We are guided by a Leadership Council, and are grounded in a Code of Ethical Conduct that we invite all sangha members to affirm. Our Healing, Ethics and Reconciliation (HEAR) Committee is available to receive feedback and to be of support if an incident of harm occurs in the sangha. 

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We invite anyone from any experience level or contemplative tradition to practice meditation with us and to attend our events. There is no need to identify as Buddhist.

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We welcome opportunities to work with other sanghas, faith communities and organizations to strengthen our collective impact. Some of our community partners include The Bertha Crosley Ball Center for Compassion, The Racial Equity Institute, Open Door Meditation Community, HopeGateWay, and Vajra Dakini Nunnery. We are also grateful to be a member of the Wabanaki Alliance Tribal Coalition.

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Morning meditation​​

We have morning sitting in community via Zoom every weekday from 7:30am - 8am, followed by a brief practice discussion. Contact us to request the link. We ask that all community members abide by these guidelines for this offering.

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Practice-related resources that inspire us:​​

• Why Your Liberation is Bound Up With Mine, Reverend angel Kyodo williams

• Seeing White, from Scene on Radio

• 99 Years podcast, with Samuel James

• Dharma Podcasts, from Upaya Zen Center​​​

• White Awake Online Courses

• Racial Equity Institute Phase I Training

• Courage of Care workshops and online courses

• EcoSattva Training: Discovering Our Unshakeable Response, with One Earth Sangha