Of Special Concern for Us .. the situations in Tibet and Burma

We send metta for the safety and wellbeing of all throughout Burma and Tibet.

Welcome

The Westcoast Dharma Society invites you to join us in Vancouver in a journey of discovery, of developing liberating insight and loving kindness in silent Vipassana and Metta meditation practice. The Buddha's great message to people was "Ehipassiko" which means "Come and see". We invite you to learn the forms and techniques of meditation to sharpen the observing power of mind, so we can look more deeply, and trust our own experiencing... our own discoveries.

WDS welcomes all people as participants regardless of cultural and religious background, race, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, physical ability, or ability to pay.  We are dedicated to making Dharma teachings and practice opportunities accessible to all.

About WDS

The Westcoast Dharma Society (WDS) was formed in Vancouver, BC, Canada in June, 1995 as a non-profit society 'to promote Buddhist meditation practices (primarily Vipassana and Metta) for the benefit of all beings.' In the fall of 1995, WDS was granted 'registered charity' status by Revenue Canada.

Vision

WDS focuses on retreat management with the specific mandate of bringing senior Western Dharma teachers to Vancouver to lead meditation retreats. WDS' vision includes a primary focus on the Theravadin practices of Vipassana and Metta but is not limited to them. By bringing senior Western Dharma teachers to Vancouver, WDS offers a significant addition to existing and emerging meditation opportunities provided by local teachers.

WDS' structure reflects its vision. There is a small volunteer Board committed to the mandate of bringing senior Western Dharma teachers to Vancouver. WDS has one paid staff member who runs the office and coordinates the retreat volunteers.

Membership

There is no official membership in the Westcoast Dharma Society other than the legally required applicants for incorporation and current Board members. All are welcome to attend WDS retreats. Instead of a lasting membership, volunteers offer their service to form an organic, impermanent community cooperating for each particular retreat. Community is experienced in relation to accomplishing the mandate of putting on great retreats and enjoying doing the Dharma work together.

Retreats

Between 1995 and 2008, WDS has sponsored and organized one hundred nonresidential weekend retreats and four residential retreats.

Nine nonresidential weekend events at the UBC Asian Centre are scheduled for 2008, including six Vipassana retreats, one Metta retreat, one workshop retreat, and one study practice retreat.  There is also a practice support afternoon with Joseph Goldstein June 15th and a Spring residential retreat at Loon Lake with Steve Armstrong and Kamala Masters March 24 - 30, 2008.

Please visit our nonresidential retreat page for a schedule of retreats through 2009.