This past Saturday, March 21st, marked a meaningful moment for our community as we welcomed 18 new participants into the Engaged Buddhist Training Program.

The beginning of a new cohort is always something special. It represents a shared commitment to deepening practice, cultivating mindfulness, and exploring how compassion can be lived out in the world not just on the cushion, but in our daily lives, our relationships, and our communities.

This 8-week program offers an immersive experience that brings together practice, study, and service. Engaged Buddhism invites us to bring awareness into action and to look closely at suffering, both within and around us, and to respond with clarity, care, and courage. A central focus of this training is community service, where participants take their practice beyond the temple and into the world through hands-on service projects. These efforts provide an opportunity to embody compassion in tangible ways—supporting those in need, strengthening local connections, and discovering how mindful action can create meaningful change.

In addition to weekly sessions, participants deepen their practice through two dedicated retreats: one at Hidden Valley Zen Center and another at Metta Forest Monastery. These retreats offer time for stillness, reflection, and connection, grounding the program in direct experience.

As Thích Nhất Hạnh so beautifully said, “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.” This spirit of presence is at the heart of the program—learning to show up fully, for ourselves and for the world, especially in service to others.

Over the coming weeks, this group will engage in a process of growth that includes both insight and challenge. Supported by community, each participant will explore what it means to live with greater awareness and to embody the teachings in real, tangible ways.

We are grateful to witness the beginning of this journey and to continue building a community dedicated to awakening for the benefit of all beings.