It is possible the next Buddha may not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and lovingkindness, a community practicing mindful living.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Who We Are
River Wisdom is an Insight Meditation Community dedicated to practicing, studying and sharing the teachings of dharma with an emphasis on community (Sangha) in Eugene, Oregon.
Our mission is to cultivate mindfulness and lovingkindness for ourselves and for others through the practice of meditation, insight, and skillful action.
Following the early Buddhist Theravada and newer Buddhist teachings such as Insight Dialogue, Socially Engaged Buddhism, MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), we incorporate meditation and small group discussions that strengthen our capacity to relate to ourselves and each other with wisdom and compassion.
All are welcome.
Special Events
Upcoming Weekend Retreats in Eugene
2024
July 26, 27: Trina Truong
From the Portland Insight Meditation Community. Friday evening and Saturday day-long retreat at the Buddha Eye Temple.
September 14: Anita Bermont
From the Portland Insight Dialogue Community. Saturday day-long retreat at the Buddha Eye Temple.
2025
June 6, 7: Tuere Sala
From the Seattle Insight Meditation Community. Friday evening and Saturday day-long retreat, location TBA.
Sutta Study Group
Our monthly sutta class will have a few openings beginning in March 2024. If interested, please email Charles Goldsmith (bendgold@aol.com).
Insight Dialogue Peer-led Practice Group
Our ID peer-led practice group is closed for now, but will have a few openings beginning in spring/summer 2024. Stay tuned.
Meetings
Wednesday
Practice Session
Join us Wednesday mornings on Zoom from 9:45 – 11:00 am. PST for Meditation, Dharma Reflections & Discussion.
Friday
Coffee with Sangha Friends
Join us on Fridays from 2:00-3:00 pm.
New Day Bakery
449 Blair Blvd.,
Eugene, OR 97402.
Saturday
First Saturdays In-person Meditations
Next meeting: April 6, 2024, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene
1685 W 13th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
On the first Saturday of each month, we’ll gather as a Sangha to meditate and share the dharma.
These will be member-led with rotating leadership. For the safety of all, we will follow UUCE’s COVID guidelines.
Saturday
Third Saturdays In-person Meditation ~ “Let’s Just Sit Together”
Next meeting: April 20, 2024, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Buddha Eye Temple
2190 Garfield St.
Eugene, OR 97405
This “in-person” meditation is hosted by sangha members.
Our Vision
One awakens not alone but in community.
Sangha is the way we are with one another in our practice and everyday lives—with love and compassion, as best we are able. Sangha is our refuge. It is the Pali (Sanskrit) word for spiritual community and is considered one of the three treasures of Buddhist practice, along with the buddha and the dharma. It is said that the historical Buddha declared it to be the whole of the practice—our living, breathing community.
Our vision is to have the Sangha, with its depth of wisdom and experience, operate as the heart of River Wisdom. To foster this, there is a leadership team that offers opportunities to practice and keeps an eye on the overall spiritual direction and concerns of the sangha. A guiding board helps to steer the organization, consider matters related to the wellbeing of the sangha, and fosters communication among practitioners and the group as a whole body.
River Wisdom is a community-led, Buddhist-inspired sangha dedicated to sharing the dharma teachings of lovingkindness, compassion, and equanimity through the practice of meditation, mindfulness, and insight. We aspire to cultivate wisdom and compassion to free the heart and awaken the mind.
We are committed to serving as a refuge for people of all races, gender identities, sexual identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and belief systems. Everyone is welcome. No prior meditation experience is necessary.