At the end of 2006, we started the Dharma Bum Temple journey around a simple intention: to create a safe, welcoming place where people could gather to sit, study, and practice the Buddha’s teachings. There was no plan for what we would become, only a shared commitment to holding space for meditation, service, and community. What has unfolded since then has been shaped, again and again, by the people who walk through our doors.

As we begin 2026, that original intention continues to guide us. The Dharma Bum Temple remains a place where people come together to practice meditation and study Buddhism in a spirit of openness and care. The new year brings renewed focus, along with new programs and events, and we look forward to practicing alongside you in the months ahead.

We are also evolving in how we stay connected. In response to feedback from our community, we are introducing a new newsletter format, and our website will soon be fully revamped to be more interactive and accessible. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing the Spring 2026 Engaged Buddhist Training Program, a monthly guest speaker series, and new volunteer opportunities including a Temple Tour Guide role that will help keep the Temple doors open throughout the day for visitors.

One of our greatest joys is seeing members of the community step into leadership and shared responsibility, helping to hold and care for this space together. As we enter our 20th year, we find ourselves reflecting not only on where we have been, but also on what the next 20 years might hold. We are exploring deeply how we can support and train the next generation of practitioners and caretakers of the Dharma Bum Temple.

Thank you for being part of the Dharma Bum Temple and for walking this path with us. It is an honor to practice, be of service, and build community together.