Dassanaya Buddhist Community

Dassanaya Buddhist Community Practitioners of Theravada and Zen Buddhism in Alexandria, the DC Beltway region, and around the worl

Sometimes the Dhamma has a bit of a thorn in it because it is meant to cut through your delusion and your ways of clingi...
06/19/2026

Sometimes the Dhamma has a bit of a thorn in it because it is meant to cut through your delusion and your ways of clinging to what is familiar. It stings a little. When that happens, and it has happened to everyone we know who has been on the Path for a while, then you must ask yourself whether the teaching was given for your benefit or for some other agenda. In fact, when you read the suttas, the sutras, the koans, and all sorts of stories of past teachings, you will see many instances of this dynamic.

Stay with a teaching that leads away from greed, hatred, and delusion even when it's a little hard to hear.



Image: Pascal Debrunner via unsplash

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on d...
06/13/2026

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on dassanaya.org

Sunday JUNE 14 Sunday Sounds of Dhamma
9:15 - 10:30am ET
In-person and Virtual
Guided meditation, Dhamma talk, Guided Q&A
Led by Dhammadīpā
10:45 Tea & Cookies

Wednesday JUNE 17 Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

Wednesday JUNE 17 Mindfulness of Body
8:00 - 8:45 am ET
in-person and virtual
Guided meditation, connect and share
Led by Kōdō

Thursday JUNE 18 Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

Thursday JUNE 18 Loving kindness & Compassion
9:30 - 10:15 am ET
virtual only
Guided Meditation
Taught by Rakhi

Thursday JUNE 18 Sutta Contemplation
7:00 - 8:00pm ET
Virtual Only
Commentary and interactive discussion
Taught by Dhammadīpā

Friday JUNE 19 Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

Sunday JUNE 21 Sunday Sounds of Dhamma
9:15 - 10:30am ET
In-person and Virtual
Guided meditation, Dhamma talk, Guided Q&A
Led by Dhammadīpā
10:45 Sangha Brunch, Please R.S.V.P ahead
hosted by Deborah Brautigam




Scenes from our beautiful Vesak gathering today. It was truly heartfelt and sacred. Sending gratitude and blessings to e...
05/31/2026

Scenes from our beautiful Vesak gathering today. It was truly heartfelt and sacred. Sending gratitude and blessings to everyone who participated in person and online. 🙏🪷💓

Images: Glen Harrison

05/31/2026

It was a lovely gathering today, complete with the traditional bathing of the baby Buddha. It is so uplifting to remember the goodness of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

May all beings be free from suffering!

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on d...
05/28/2026

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on dassanaya.org

May 31 SUNDAY Vesak Celebration
9:15 - 10:45am ET
In-person and virtual
Oronoco Park, Dhamma talk, ceremonial bathing of the baby Buddha, and potluck brunch.

June 3 WEDNESDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

June 3 WEDNESDAY Mindfulness of Body
8:00 - 8:45 am ET
in-person and virtual
Guided meditation, connect and share
Led by Kōdō

June 4 THURSDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

June 4 THURSDAY Loving kindness & Compassion
9:30 - 10:15 am ET
virtual only
Guided Meditation
Taught by Rakhi

June 4 THURSDAY Sutta Contemplation
7:00 - 8:00pm ET
Virtual Only
Commentary and interactive discussion
Taught by Dhammadīpā

June 5 FRIDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

June 7 SUNDAY Sunday Sounds of Dhamma
9:15 - 10:30am ET
In-person and Virtual
Guided meditation, Dhamma talk, Guided Q&A
Led by Dhammadīpā
10:45 Tea & Cookies




Reflecting on the BCBS gathering "Liberation: A Dialogue Across Traditions" Sue Brown shared:"On one level, the conversa...
05/19/2026

Reflecting on the BCBS gathering "Liberation: A Dialogue Across Traditions" Sue Brown shared:

"On one level, the conversation between the teachers from different traditions deepened my understanding of and appreciation for the various Buddhist traditions that have developed, and how the path of each reveals truths about the nature of reality and of our own individual experiences. But on a more fundamental and experiential level, there was a sense of direct transmission of clear seeing, selflessness, and freedom.

As the teachers explored both shared and unique perspectives of the nature of liberation, the openness, curiosity, humility, and joy in the room were palpable. It was so heart- and mind-opening that many moments of freedom, empty of self and full of wisdom and compassion, became accessible to me. I came away with a renewed embodied sense of joy and inspiration, knowing that liberation, through whichever tradition we might follow, is possible."



The Sangha and the greater community are doing great work through , feeding those suffering from hunger, alleviating pov...
05/18/2026

The Sangha and the greater community are doing great work through , feeding those suffering from hunger, alleviating poverty, and supporting education for girls and women.

This compassionate activity is a beautiful expression of our inter-connection with all beings. 🙏🙏🙏

#

Your practice and devotion shine brightly throughout the world, lighting the way for the awakening of all creation.Yet m...
05/14/2026

Your practice and devotion shine brightly throughout the world, lighting the way for the awakening of all creation.

Yet most of us come to the Buddha’s way as an antidote to a dark night of suffering. First, we see spiritual healing embodied in our teacher— the one who lights our path and illuminates the way. With practice, we too begin to experience a newfound inner brightness, one that leads to greater clarity of mind and gentle coexistence with others. Finally, with insight, we come to understand that we indeed are, and have always been, the light.

Knowing your own light, you naturally want to share it with the world.

Each donation is received with deep gratitude.
Link in Bio and at dassanaya.org

The Buddha's mother, Queen Maya, is said to have been on her way to her mother's house when she gave birth to him.Happy ...
05/10/2026

The Buddha's mother, Queen Maya, is said to have been on her way to her mother's house when she gave birth to him.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who gives life and to those who nurture life. Mothering is a beautiful everyday miracle.



Image: Depiction of the Buddha's mother at the Musée Guimet in Paris. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra.

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on d...
05/08/2026

Come sit with the DBC commununity, join us for guided meditation and Dharma talks (In-Person and Virtual) Zoom link on dassanaya.org

May 10 SUNDAY Sound of Dhamma
in-person and virtual
Guided meditation, Dharma talk, Q&A
with Dhammadīpā
Tea & Cookies at 10:45am

May 13 WEDNESDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Dhammadīpā

May 13 WEDNESDAY Mindfulness of Body
8:00 - 8:45 am ET
in-person and virtual
Guided meditation, connect and share
Led by Carolyn Bottler

May 14 THURSDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Kōdō

May 14 THURSDAY Loving kindness & Compassion
9:30 - 10:15 am ET
virtual only
Guided Meditation
Taught by Rakhi

May 14 THURSDAY Sutta Contemplation
7:00 - 8:00pm ET
Virtual Only
Commentary and interactive discussion
Taught by Dhammadīpā

May 15 FRIDAY Silent Meditation at the Vihara
6:30 - 7:30am ET
In-person Only
Followed by Zen chanting
Led by Kōdō




Address

1565 Mount Eagle Place
Alexandria, VA
22302

Opening Hours

6:30pm - 8pm

Website

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