Discover 2025 Buddhist Retreats
Recharge & Retreat
Build your calmness and inner strength.
Whether you seek relaxation, focus, or a break from the fast-paced modern world, meditation retreats offer a powerful mental reset. More than just refreshing your mind, Buddhist meditation cultivates clarity, resilience, and a deeper understanding of reality—skills that stay with you long after you leave the cushion.
Below, you’ll find reputable, non-profit Buddhist meditation retreats—many designed for young adults but open to all. Financial aid, including full scholarships, is available at most centers.
Georgia Buddhist Camp
Ready to hit pause on life’s distractions and level up your connections?
Join us April 10-13 at the 12th Annual Buddhist Camp, where this year’s theme, Level Up: The Quest for Connections, encourages deeper connections with yourself and others through Buddhist teachings.
And we’re thrilled to host the camp at a new location: the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Covington, Georgia—just 50 minutes east of Atlanta.
Open to families and individuals.
Dharma Realm Buddhist University Extension
DRBU offers a variety of retreats, including beginner-friendly programs, the Spring Guan Yin Retreat, the Summer Sudhana Center Retreat, and more.
Next In Person Retreats:
One-Week Guan Yin Retreats (Recitation, Meditation, Service, and Reflection): March 15 - 23, July 12 - 20, 2025
Summer Retreat: June 2 - 8, 2025
Summer Study Abroad in Taiwan: June 28 - July 26, 2025
DRBU Summer Program for High Schoolers: July 6 - 19, 2025
Plus regular online , hybrid, & in-person events in California
Young Adults Explore Buddhism at Sravasti Abbey
Searching for meaning, connection, and clarity in a chaotic world? Come explore!
Designed for young adults ages 18–29, this retreat is led by renowned Buddhist teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron and includes meditation, teachings, discussions, and hands-on work in nature. No experience needed—just a curious mind and open heart.
If you’re seeking insight, purpose, and a sense of belonging, join us for this transformative experience.
June 13 - 19, 2025
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in upstate New York
Experience the Peaceful Woodland Setting of Dharma Drum Retreat Center for multi-day and week-long Chan (Zen) retreats throughout the year for all ages. Nestled in a serene natural environment, it provides a space for deep meditation and personal growth.
Free Young Adults Retreat (Ages 18–35) – June 14–21, 2025
Summer Program for Teens at DRBU
A college-level summer program for high school students, July 6 - 19 , 2025 inspired by DRBU’s holistic approach to education.
What is Contemplative Philosophy?
More than just an intellectual pursuit, Contemplative Philosophy integrates Eastern and Western traditions, offering insights into the human experience and practical tools for self-reflection, personal growth, and transformation.
Program Highlights
🔹 The Seminar – Engage in college-level discussions on great philosophical and spiritual texts.
🔹 Contemplative Exercise – Apply your studies through self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom practices.
🔹 The Arts Workshop – Cultivate mindfulness and creativity through hands-on artistic expression.
2025 Summer Residency Program at Tallahassee Chan Center
The Tallahassee Chan Center is delighted to offer the 2025 Summer Chan Residency Program, led by Guo Gu. Designed for English speakers with prior meditation retreat experience, this program deepens Chan understanding and practice in the West. Even newcomers to Chan will find resilience, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose in this immersive experience.
Program Options:
Full-Month Program (May 8 – June 5) – Includes a 3-day and 7-day retreat
Study-Focused (May 8 – May 22) – Includes a 3-day retreat
Practice-Focused (May 23 – June 5) – Includes a 7-day retreat
More Residential Retreat Opportunities
Woodenfish Summer Program
An annual month-long cultural experience exploring Asian monasteries and cities, open to young adults and mostly free! No experience needed. Previous years held in Taiwan, South Korea, and China
Insight Meditation Society
An American multi-denominational retreat center with diverse offerings
Sravasti Abbey
The spiritual heart of Western monasticism in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in America, there are online and in person retreats
Theravada Groups:
Thai Forest Monasteries
No scheduled retreats but many people join the community for extended stays. You can find texts and audio recordings of guided meditation and talks at dhammatalks.org
Wat Metta, in Southern California
Abhayagiri Monastery, in Northern California
Bhavana Society
A Sri Lankan Forest Monastery in West Virginia (closest major airport would be Washington DC)
Vipassana Meditation
Silent meditation retreats in the Goenka inspired tradition
Mahayana Groups:
Dharma Realm Buddhist University
Several retreats open to all ages throughout the year in Northern California as well as online classes
drbu.edu
Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association
Many regular retreats, mostly at Dharma Drum Retreat Center in upstate New York, but also at these other locations:
Dharma Drum Retreat Center (NY)
dharmadrumretreat.org
Dharma Drum Los Angeles
ddmbala.org
Tallahassee Chan Center (Florida)
tallahasseechan.org
US Zen Institute
The new Amata Meditation Center is a rural retreat center near Washington DC
uszen.org
Texas Buddhist Association
The rural American Bodhi Center hosts residential retreats near Houston TX.
americanbodhicenter.org
Thich Nhat Hanh mindfulness tradition
Three American monasteries continue the legacy of the renowned Vietnamese monk and peace advocate, headquartered at Plum Village in France.
Magnolia Grove Monastery (Mississippi)
magnoliagrovemonastery.org
Deer Park Monastery (Southern California)
deerparkmonastery.org
Blue Cliff Monastery (New York)
bluecliffmonastery.org