

Intro to Buddhism & Meditation in Portland

When I first arrived in Portland, I spent countless hours both online and conversing with others trying to find the various Buddhist communities in town. After some years of exploration, I’ve learned every single Buddhist group in Portland (I think!), and have organized them here on this page.

At the time of writing, I’ve personally visited about half of these groups. However, I am not offering any specific endorsements. The intention of this page is merely to state the options. I will try my best to keep my comments factual and data-focused.

At the same time, it’s really helpful to have a framework on how to evaluate a meditation group. There are some things we all want (like integrity and kindness), but there are also different desires (like prioritizing meditation instruction vs. community, or a strong teacher vs non-hierarchy, etc.).

In a companion post, I offer an in-depth guide on how to evaluate & choose a meditation group/community. I highly recommend reading that article, and to consider what you’re looking for in a community. This will greatly help you navigate which ones are “for you” and which ones aren’t.

Although, the best test is always just checking a few of them out and getting a feel for what seems to resonate.

A Few Final Notes to Keep in Mind:

While every center has its own flavor, some centers have multiple groups throughout the week, led by different instructors, and may have a very different feel. It can be helpful to check out multiple groups at the same center!

You don’t need to “join,” “sign up” or go through any “initiation” process to go to any of these groups. You just show up, and are free to never come again, or keep coming back as long as you like!

You just show up, and are free to never come again, or keep coming back as long as you like! You also don’t need to be a Buddhist. In general, Buddhist communities tend to be very inclusive, and aren’t interested in converting anyone.



If there is any center/group I’ve missed, please let me know and I will add it.

Vipassana / Insight Meditation / Theravada Buddhism



The oldest lineage, Theravada Buddhism is also where the whole modern mindfulness movement came from, and tends to be pragmatic, straightforward and technically precise. In turn, it’s approach to philosophy and meditation is usually the most accessible to Westerners.

1. Path of Sincerity Sangha – Insight Meditation & Buddhism

Logistics: T evening, SU morning, every morning “cloud meditation” (all currently on Zoom)

T evening, SU morning, every morning “cloud meditation” (all currently on Zoom) Lineage: Sayadaw U Tejaniya – mixed with general Theravada

Sayadaw U Tejaniya – mixed with general Theravada Notes: Led by a former monk, explores how to have a rich meditation/dharma practice while living in the world. Offers regular workshops and daylong retreats, as well as comprehensive nine-week meditation course (next one Sep 24-Nov 19).

2. Portland Insight Meditation Community (PIMC)

Logistics: SU & T morning; SU, M, T & R evening in SE Portland.

SU & T morning; SU, M, T & R evening in SE Portland. Lineage: General Theravada – primarily Burmese lineages

General Theravada – primarily Burmese lineages Notes: One of the two largest Theravada Centers in Portland. They offer retreats, monthly daylongs, deepening study courses, and have several different teachers that lead various classes throughout the week. The Sunday morning gathering attracts a very large audience.

3. Portland Friends of the Dhamma

Logistics: SU morning, M & F evening in SE Portland

SU morning, M & F evening in SE Portland Lineage: Ajahn Chah – Thai Forest

Ajahn Chah – Thai Forest Notes: One of the two largest Theravada Centers in Portland. Several times a year they host non-residential weekend retreats with prominent monks in the Thai Forest tradition. On the 3 rd Friday of each month a monk from the nearby Hermitage comes to give a talk. They also have a book club and a regularly meeting sutta study group (the classic Buddhist texts).

4. Rose City Rebel Dhamma

Logistics: W evening in N Portland

W evening in N Portland Lineage: General Theravada

General Theravada Notes: Was originally a Dharma Punx group, and has since broken off to become independent.

5. Goenka Groups

Schedule: SU & W evening in North Portland. R Evening NE Portland. SU afternoon & W evening in Hillsboro. T evening in Beaverton.

SU & W evening in North Portland. R Evening NE Portland. SU afternoon & W evening in Hillsboro. T evening in Beaverton. Lineage: S.N. Goenka – Burmese Theravada

S.N. Goenka – Burmese Theravada Notes: This group is ONLY available to people who have done a 10 day Vipassana retreat in the style of S.N. Goenka. They occasionally host daylong sits. Note that these groups are peer led.

6. Aspen Grove Sangha

Schedule: SU evening in SE Portland

SU evening in SE Portland Lineage: General Theravada – especially from the classical Buddhist texts (suttas).

General Theravada – especially from the classical Buddhist texts (suttas). Notes: Alternates weeks between textual study & relational practice, and emphasizes uniting the two. Generally attracts a younger crowd. Peer led.

7. SE PDX Vipassana Metta Sitting Group

Schedule : First M every month in SE Portland

: First M every month in SE Portland Lineage: Sayadaw U Tejaniya & Sayadaw U Pandita – Burmese Theravada

Sayadaw U Tejaniya & Sayadaw U Pandita – Burmese Theravada Notes: Uses modern dharma teachings to explore integration of meditation with daily life.

8. Pine Street Sangha

Schedule: SU morning, periodic additional times, all in SE Portland

SU morning, periodic additional times, all in SE Portland Lineage: General Theravada

General Theravada Notes: This group places special emphasis on reflection and writing about our meditation experiences.

9. PDX Revolution Sangha

Schedule: F evening in SE Portland

F evening in SE Portland Lineage: General Theravada – affiliated with Portland Insight Meditation Center (PIMC)

General Theravada – affiliated with Portland Insight Meditation Center (PIMC) Notes: Formerly a Dharma Punx group, has a social justice orientation, and is peer-led.

10. Still Point Sangha

Schedule: Maybe 10 times a year, they host a dharma talk & sometimes daylong retreats from teachers that just finished leading a retreat at the nearby Cloud Mountain Retreat Center. This is always a special treat, as these are some of the most senior Vipassana teachers in the country.

11. Portland Middle Way Meditation

Schedule : SA afternoon in SE Portland

: SA afternoon in SE Portland Lineage: Thai Dhammakaya Temple (the largest temple in Thailand)

Thai Dhammakaya Temple (the largest temple in Thailand) Notes: Led by a Thai monk who has been teaching abroad for over 10 years.

12. Theravada-Vipassana Class

Schedule: SA afternoon in SE Portland

SA afternoon in SE Portland Lineage: Thai forest

Thai forest Notes: Led by an American-born monk who lives at a nearby hermitage. They offer meditation + a dharma talk.

13. Listening Heart Sangha

Schedule: M Evening in NE Portland

M Evening in NE Portland Lineage: Spirit Rock & MBSR

Spirit Rock & MBSR Notes: Most evenings are meditation focused with a once-a-month book study group.

Zen Mahayana Buddhism

Zen Mahayana Buddhism has a very earthy feel, and emphasizes bringing awareness into every moment of your life. Their approach to meditation is usually not as technical & articulate, as they focus on the effortless here-and-now aspect, and also the immediacy of compassion.

1. Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple

Schedule: SU & F morning. SU, T, W & R evening. M-F early morning. All in NE Portland.

SU & F morning. SU, T, W & R evening. M-F early morning. All in NE Portland. Lineage: Soto & Rinzai – Maezumi Roshi and Shodo Harada Roshi

Soto & Rinzai – Maezumi Roshi and Shodo Harada Roshi Notes: One of the two biggest Zen Centers in Portland. They hold regular classes, events, day-longs, and are the urban offshoot of the Great Vow Zen Monastery, located in Clatskanine Oregon, which has many live-in monastics, and offers monthly residential retreats.

2. Dharma Rain Zen Center

Schedule: SU morning, T & W evening in NE Portland.

SU morning, T & W evening in NE Portland. Lineage: Soto Zen – connected with Shasta Abbey.

Soto Zen – connected with Shasta Abbey. Notes: One of the two biggest Zen Centers in Portland. They also have several ongoing multi-week courses, workshops and retreats. Schedule changes seasonally.

3. Portland Community of Mindful Living

Schedule: M, T & R evening in SE Portland. W evening in SW Portland. F morning in NE Portland.

M, T & R evening in SE Portland. W evening in SW Portland. F morning in NE Portland. Lineage: Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh Notes: Thich Nhat Hanh has a somewhat eclectic style that is very beginner / non-buddhist friendly. It uses some Theravada language with the simplicity of Zen and a grounding in the joy and heart aspects of the path. These groups are all peer led.

4. No Rank Zendo

Schedule: SU & W evening in SE Portland. M-F early morning “cloud meditation.” SA morning in SE Portland.

SU & W evening in SE Portland. M-F early morning “cloud meditation.” SA morning in SE Portland. Lineage: Rinzai Zen – Genki Takabayashi

Rinzai Zen – Genki Takabayashi Notes: This is the only dedicated Rinzai group in Portland. Hosts occasional retreats.

5. Bright Way Zen Center

Schedule: T & R evening, SU & SA morning in SW Portland

T & R evening, SU & SA morning in SW Portland Lineage: Soto Zen – stems from the Dharma Rain Zen Center

Soto Zen – stems from the Dharma Rain Zen Center Notes: Classic Zen found here.

6. Portland Buddhist Priory

Schedule: W evening, SU & F morning in SE Portland.

W evening, SU & F morning in SE Portland. Lineage: Soto Zen – Order of Buddhist Contemplatives

Soto Zen – Order of Buddhist Contemplatives Notes: Has a very traditional feel.





Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism

Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism has a mystical & devotional feel. It can initially come across as really esoteric and inaccessible (unless you’re drawn to artful spirituality!), but if you can get past that, it has a great blend of Theravada and Mahayana, offering a richness of precision with an emphasis on the now.

1. Dorje Ling Portland

Schedule: SU morning, T & W evening in NW Portland

SU morning, T & W evening in NW Portland Lineage: Nyingma – Gyatrul Rinpoche

Nyingma – Gyatrul Rinpoche Notes: They have a resident monastic, offer periodic retreats, deepening study classes, occasional visits from senior Vajrayana teachers and are affiliated with the Tashi Choling Monastery in Ashland, Oregon.

2. Shambhala Meditation Center of Portland

Logistics: T evening, every other SU morning, R evening for young adults & first SU of each month for Queer dharma, all in SE Portland

T evening, every other SU morning, R evening for young adults & first SU of each month for Queer dharma, all in SE Portland Lineage: Nyingma & Kagyu – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Nyingma & Kagyu – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche Notes: They offer regular classes, workshops/courses, and host a Young Adults group and a Queer Dharma group. The Shambhala style tends to be the most accessible-to-Westerners of the Tibetan lineages.

3. Kagyu Changchub Chuling (KCC)

Logistics: SU & W evening, SU morning in NE Portland

SU & W evening, SU morning in NE Portland Lineage: Kagyu – Kalu Rinpoche

Kagyu – Kalu Rinpoche Notes: They have a resident Lama (someone who completed a traditional 3 year retreat), and offer regular classes, daylongs, retreats, children’s programs, etc.

4. Diamond Way Buddhist Center

Logistics : M evenings in NE Portland

: M evenings in NE Portland Lineage: Kagyu – Lama Ole Nydahl & Hannah Nydahl

Kagyu – Lama Ole Nydahl & Hannah Nydahl Notes: Affiliated with the international non-profit Diamond Way organization with 600+ groups in this tradition.

5. Mahasiddha Kadampa Buddhist Center

Logistics: SU & M morning, T evening in SW Portland

SU & M morning, T evening in SW Portland Lineage: New Kadampa – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

New Kadampa – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Notes: They lead various training programs and have many ways to get involved. This is the only Mahayana / non-Vajrayana Tibetan center in Portland.

6. Portland Dharma Center (Dzogchen Shri Singha of Portland)

Logistics: SU afternoon, M-F evening in SW Portland

SU afternoon, M-F evening in SW Portland Lineage: Nyingma / Dzogchen – Khenpo Choga Rinpoche

Nyingma / Dzogchen – Khenpo Choga Rinpoche Notes: Has many different teachers and offerings throughout the week, exploring a variety of topics.

7. Tergar Portland Oregon

Logistics: T evening & 4th SU afternoon in NE Portland

T evening & 4th SU afternoon in NE Portland Lineage: Kagyu – Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Kagyu – Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche Notes: Explores the Joy of Living teachings of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a native Tibetan teacher who travels widely and has a large network of affiliated sanghas across the world.

8. Maitripa College

Logistics: SU morning & R evening

SU morning & R evening Lineage: General Tibetan / Vajrayana

General Tibetan / Vajrayana Notes: This is an actual college in SE Portland with master’s degrees and semester long courses. Those courses are a bit pricey, though they have two weekly donation-based events (the Sunday morning is often led by Portland’s only “Rinpoche” – roughly defined, someone recognized as the reincarnation of a great sage).

9. Buddhist Henjyogi Temple

Logistics : R evening in SE Portland

: R evening in SE Portland Lineage: Shingon Buddhism (Japanese)

Shingon Buddhism (Japanese) Notes: They offer several Japanese cultural experiences throughout the week, though the Thursday night class is the highlight for dharma students, especially as Shingon Buddhism is one of the few ways to access Vajrayana Buddhism separate from Tibetan Buddhism.

10. Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (Dance Mandal)

Logistics: SU-SA early AM silent meditation. Every first & last SA of month sacred dance workshops. All in SE Portland.

SU-SA early AM silent meditation. Every first & last SA of month sacred dance workshops. All in SE Portland. Lineage: Newar Vajrachariya (Nepalese)

Newar Vajrachariya (Nepalese) Notes: Their temple is open every morning for silent meditation. The founder is an international Vajrayana Sacred Ritual Dance teacher & performer. He offers donation-based Buddhist dance workshops in the temple, both scheduled and on request.

Traditional Buddhist Temples & Centers

Note: the majority of meditation centers in the West (see all of the above) tend to place prime importance on meditation, and are generally filled with westerners interested in “spiritual Buddhism.”

In Asia, many Buddhist monasteries give equal if not more emphasis to community, study, chanting, devotional practice, etc. For the most part, the following temples are more in this style.

Some of the temples might be of interest to Westerners for meditation teaching (such as Miao Fa), but more generally, unless you are from the listed country and/or speak that language, it’s likely the primary value you’ll find is in having a neat cultural experience or getting to dialogue with some monks (which is actually kinda cool!).

1. Mahayana Temples & Centers

2. Theravadan Monasteries, Viharas & Temples







Buddhist Inspired Groups

1. Refuge Recovery

Logistics: Multiple gatherings every day across the greater Portland area.

Multiple gatherings every day across the greater Portland area. Lineage: General Buddhism

General Buddhism Notes: An alternative to AA and other recovery programs, Refuge Recovery is a community that uses Buddhist principles, mindfulness & loving-kindness practices as a basis for recovery from all types of addictions

2. Waking Up Community in NE Portland

Logistics: SA morning in NE Portland

SA morning in NE Portland Lineage: General buddhism

General buddhism Notes: Geared towards beginners and non-buddhists, they present buddhism in a very accessible way.

3. Portland Pragmatic Dharma

Logistics: ~ Every other W evening in East Portland

~ Every other W evening in East Portland Lineage: Culadasa, Daniel Ingram, etc. (Vipassana)

Culadasa, Daniel Ingram, etc. (Vipassana) Notes: Pragmatic Dharma refers to a movement that focuses on meditation as a means to develop insight into ultimate reality, but without going into much of the buddhist, spiritual, religious or ethics-related aspects.







Where To Go On Retreat Near Portland



I’ve previously written an in-depth guide to why & where to go on Meditation retreat, including places near Portland and also across the country/world. However, I’ll provide some highlights here:

1. Retreat Centers that lead 10+ retreats per year within 90 miles of Portland

The Great Vow Zen Monastery – offers monthly Zen retreats, plus opportunities for long-term residential practice.

– offers monthly Zen retreats, plus opportunities for long-term residential practice. Cloud Mountain – offers Vipassana retreats from 2 – 30 days with some of the most senior Vipassana teachers in the country.

– offers Vipassana retreats from 2 – 30 days with some of the most senior Vipassana teachers in the country. Northwest Vipassana Center – offers donation-based 10 day Vipassana retreats in the style of S.N. Goenka.

2. Communities that lead 1 to 9 retreats per year within 90 miles of Portland

Vipassana: Portland Insight Meditation Center (see the Vipassana section above)

Portland Insight Meditation Center (see the Vipassana section above) Zen: Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, Dharma Rain Zen Center & No Rank Zendo (see the Zen section above)

Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, Dharma Rain Zen Center & No Rank Zendo (see the Zen section above) Vajrayana: Dorje Ling & Kagyu Changchub Chuling (see the Vajrayana section above)

Dorje Ling & Kagyu Changchub Chuling (see the Vajrayana section above) Non-Buddhist places that occasionally lead Buddhist retreats: Breitenbush Hot Springs & Still Meadow Retreat Center

3. Places to do self-retreat within 90 miles of Portland

If you don’t need any guidance, and are cool to completely do you own thing, here’s some places that will offer lodging, food and quiet:

Repeats from #1 and 2: The Great Vow Zen Monastery, Dorje Ling, Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, Breitenbush & Still Meadow.

The Great Vow Zen Monastery, Dorje Ling, Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, Breitenbush & Still Meadow. Other Spiritual Traditions: Ananda Laurelwood, Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey, a long list of Catholic Retreat Centers, and probably several others.

Ananda Laurelwood, Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey, a long list of Catholic Retreat Centers, and probably several others. Places you won’t get fed: Find a cabin in the woods, rent an AirBnB, go backcountry camping, and probably several others.

If you have any questions about a particular center/group, or would like me to add something to the list, feel free to comment below or email me!



