Founded in 2011, Urban Dharma NC’s mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Buddha, build meaningful community, and integrate contemplative teachings into everyday, ordinary life. Located in the heart of West Asheville, Urban Dharma exists for both self-identifying Buddhist practitioners as well as the broader Asheville community and its visitors. We offer a meditation space to sit and be quiet; a consecrated shrine to experience the sacred and be blessed; a place to hangout with friends, tea, or a book; and a social space for community wellness, artistic, cultural and spiritual events. Although many of our core members and volunteers are connected with the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, we are a non-sectarian, public Buddhist temple open to all seeking refuge and sanctuary.
Our vision
Urban Dharma NC is a Buddhist temple in the heart western North Carolina. We are committed to growing the Dharma locally, in order for the Buddha’s teachings to take root in our lives here in this corner of the world, in the soil of these Appalachian mountains. Our motto “Changing Minds, Transforming Cities” expresses the vision of living the transformative teachings of the Buddha in the contemporary, urban context where we ground our lives. At Urban Dharma, we emphasize integrating rather than compartmentalizing, engaging rather than retreating, and communing rather than isolating. We believe that Buddhist teachings have much to offer – not only to those who self-identify as Buddhist but more fundamentally to all who seek to live intentional, compassionate, and balanced lives. And we believe that we can do this best when we have a community that is welcoming, open, and supportive.
