A Film Festival for Heart & Mind
BUDDHAFEST
FILMS TALKS MEDITATION MUSIC
June 14-17
Opening Night Film, CONNECTED
Congressman Tim Ryan and Tara Brach Discuss
"The Alchemy of Transformation: Awakening Our Hearts, Healing Our World"
It's not every day that you get to see a U.S. congressman and a dharma teacher sit down and talk about mindfulness and transformation. We're delighted to have them together on Friday, June 15 at 7 pm, followed by the award-winning movie, BUDDHA'S LOST CHILDREN.
The heart-opening film BUDDHA'S LOST CHILDREN
Friday, June 15 at 9 pm
See All Film and Talk Descriptions Here
Tickets Now on Sale for All Events
Join us June 14-17 for the third annual BuddhaFest, a 4-day festival inspired by the Buddhist practices of mindfulness, compassion and meditation. This year we look at how the Western world is waking up to mindful awareness, and the profound ways in which it's impacting society and transforming lives.
Speakers and teachers explore the role mindfulness is playing in many areas, including neuroscience, the environment, social issues, personal relationships, psychology and politics.
BuddhaFest is a unique experience that combines films, leading speakers, dharma teachers, meditation, and sacred music. It's all presented in a warm and relaxed environment filled with the supportive spirit of folks who are traveling on the path of awakening.
The festival is being held at Artisphere in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, VA, just minutes from Washington, DC. There's free parking, and the venue is two blocks from the Rosslyn metro.
Last year BuddhaFest filled over 3,000 seats. It's hard to put into words the feeling of community that springs up during the course of the festival. We hope you'll join us and see for yourself, and discover why so many people have called the BuddhaFest experience moving, insightful and fun.
Please check out our photo gallery for pictures of past events.
Sneak Preview of
Saturday, June 15 at 3 pm
BuddhaFest Presents
Krishna Das
in Concert
With Special Guests Tsoknyi Rinpoche & Sharon Salzberg
Krishna Das is the best-selling chant artist of all time. His soul-stirring music has opened hearts around the world.
Saturday, June 16
At Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Washington, DC
Sponsored by Sixth & I
Krishna Das also joins us on Closing Night
Ram Dass makes a rare live appearance via Skype
Closing Night - The Power of Grace: A Tribute to Ram Dass
We pay tribute to one of the most influential spiritual teachers of our time. Krishma Das opens this very special evening with a talk & meditation. We then screen the inspiring film, RAM DASS: FIERCE GRACE. Ram Dass makes a live appearance from his home in Maui. Director Mickey Lemle takes questions from the audience. Krishna Das then closes out BuddhaFest 2012 with a special kirtan performance in tribute to his beloved friend, Ram Dass.
Leading Teachers & Speakers Include:
TSOKNYI RINPOCHE
Author of Open Heart, Open Mind: Awakening the Power of Essence Love
For over 15 years, Tsoknyi Rinpoche has been teaching students worldwide about the innermost nature of mind in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Rinpoche is one of those rare teachers whose lighthearted yet illuminating style appeals equally to beginners and advanced practitioners alike. He is truly a bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern mind.
SHARON SALZBERG
Author of Real Happiness and Lovingkindness
Sharon Salzberg is one of the leading meditation and spiritual teachers in the world. She co-founded the Insight Meditation Society with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein, and is the author of eight books.
CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN
Author of A Mindful Nation
Tim Ryan is the United States Representative for Ohio's 17th congressional district, currently serving his fifth term. A mindfulness practitioner and a long-time champion of efforts to improve the health and well-being of American families and children, Congressman Ryan is also a public advocate for mindfulness-based programs in schools, the military, and the health care system.
TARA BRACH
Author of Radical Acceptance
Tara Brach, Ph.D., is a leading western teacher of Buddhist meditation, emotional healing and spiritual awakening. She has practiced and taught meditation for over 35 years, with an emphasis on Vipassana, also called mindfulness or insight meditation. Tara is the senior teacher and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington.
RICK HANSON
Author of Buddha's Brain and Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned neuropsychologist and author, and founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. He is one of the world’s leading authorities on the neuroscience of relieving worry and stress and promoting positive relationships and inner peace. His work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, Consumer Reports Health, and U.S. News and World Report, and his articles have appeared in Tricycle Magazine, Insight Journal, and Inquiring Mind. He edits the Wise Brain Bulletin, and his weekly e-newsletter - Just One Thing - has over 30,000 subscribers.
JONATHAN FOUST
Jonathan Foust has practiced meditation since 1972. A senior teacher and former president of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, he has been teaching yoga and meditation for over twenty years in both residential and corporate settings.
Jonathan leads three weekly meditation classes as well as retreats in the DC area and around the country. He is the creator of the "Year of Living Mindfully" program and offers private sessions in Focusing, a body-oriented therapy that is powerfully synergistic with mindfulness meditation.
VENERABLE PANNAVATI BHIKKHUNI
Co-Abbot and Founder of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage in Hendersonville, NC, Ven. Pannavati is a Buddhist monk ordained in both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. She was honored with an Engaged Buddhism Award at the 2011 Women's Buddhist Conference in Chicago for her work, which includes launching a youth development program for homeless and at-risk youth.
She received an international Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award and special commendation from HRH Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand for humanitarian acts towards women and girls in 2009 and has a mission in India. She holds a doctorate in religion, and was formerly a Christian pastor, initiated yogi, and Taoist monk.
Check out what it was like at last year's BuddhaFest
Founding Sponsor
Insight Meditation Community of Washington