Meditation in Westchester

Vajra Light Kadampa Buddhist Center is a non-profit Buddhist meditation center in Westchester, NY. We offer instruction in meditation and Buddhist spiritual practice through meditation classes, retreats and special events. Taught by qualified Western teachers, Vajra Light's meditation classes are very easy to understand and apply to our daily lives. The classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners. Everyone welcome!

Where to Start

All of the classes listed below are a great place to start for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Classes are especially designed to help busy, modern people find more inner peace and happiness. No prior experience with Buddhism or meditation is necessary. Everyone is welcome! Please follow the links to individual class pages for more details about the current topics and pricing.

Please help us share the priceless gift of Buddha’s teachings and meditation practices!

Vajra Light is an entirely volunteer run, non-profit organization.

At Vajra Light Kadampa Buddhist Center, our mission is very simple – to give people the means to develop inner peace.  Through year-round regular and special programming in Westchester, people receive teachings, and meditate in the friendly atmosphere of our Center.  As we interact with one another, our virtuous activities ripple out in all directions, affecting countless people.  In this way, we all contribute to individual and community peace, harmony, happiness and well-being – now and in the future!

Click on the button below to learn more and donate. Thank you!

Sunday Mornings
10:30am -12:00pm

No Class on November 30

Liberating the Imagination - an Introduction to Tantra

with kadam Donna campanelli

Vajra Light kadampa Buddhist Center
875 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 205
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

In our modern world, we often lack spiritual imagination. We may believe in small self-improvements, but rarely grasp the vastness of our human potential—to experience boundless joy, wisdom, love, and compassion that can truly benefit others.

In modern Buddhism, as practiced at our Center, Buddha’s Tantric teachings play a central role. Tantra offers a clear vision of who we can become and, through the practice of “correct imagination,” a swift method to realize that potential.

In this series, we’ll explore how Tantra empowers our spiritual life—transforming our relationships, work, and enjoyments into a joyful path of inner growth and awakening to our true nature.

Everyone welcome; suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

No Class on November 30

Prayers For World Peace

Sunday Mornings
9:45am -10:15am

Vajra Light kadampa Buddhist Center
875 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 205
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Join us for Prayers for World Peace, beautiful prayers set to music, that give us the opportunity to develop a warm and loving heart and to help create both inner and outer peace. 

Through contemplating these prayers compiled by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, we learn to cherish all living beings. If everyone sincerely prays to be able to cherish others, then gradually through the power of this prayer, everyone will actually cherish each other.  The world will then be permanently at peace, and pure and everlasting happiness will pervade the entire world.

Everyone welcome!

Wednesday Evenings
7:00pm - 8:30pm

No Class on November 26

The Healing Power of Taking and Giving

with Kadam donna campanelli

Vajra Light kadampa Buddhist Center
875 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 205
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Continuing our exploration of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s modern presentation of Eight Verses of Training the Mind in The New Eight Steps to Happiness, this series will focus on the sublime meditation of taking and giving, or tonglen. Taught by Buddha as a special method for healing, transforming problems, and opening the heart of compassion, this practice helps us develop the fearless mind of a Bodhisattva. Kadam Donna will guide us in learning and applying this profound yet practical meditation to our daily life.

Everyone welcome; suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Special Events

The Dreamlike Illusory Nature of All Things
Half-day Course

with kadam Donna Campanelli
Saturday, december 6
10:00am - 1:15pm (with tea break)

Vajra Light kadampa Buddhist Center
875 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 205
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Buddha’s profound teachings on emptiness reveal that everything we experience depends on the mind and lacks the independent existence we normally perceive. Because of our mistaken view, we attribute fixed qualities, good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, to people and situations, giving rise to emotional turmoil and suffering. By meditating on emptiness, we uncover that things exist in a more fluid and interdependent way, freeing us from rigid perceptions and allowing genuine peace and flexibility of mind. 

In this course, following Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s practical and accessible modern Buddhist presentation, Kadam Donna will explain and guide meditations on emptiness, emphasizing in particular how to apply this liberating wisdom in daily life.

Everyone is welcome. Suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Dakini Yoga
Practice Class*

Saturday, December 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
With kadam donna campanelli

*Only for those who have received Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT) empowerments or plan to receive them at the next opportunity.

VAJRA LIGHT KADAMPA BUDDHIST CENTER
875 MAMARONECK AVENUE
SUITE 205
MAMARONECK, NY 10543

In this practice class we will engage in prayers and meditations of Dakini Yoga* sadhana that contains the essence of the self-generation practice of Vajrayogini – the female enlightened Buddha Deity of Highest Yoga Tantra who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas. 

This is an opportunity to gain familiarity with the essence of Vajrayogini Tantra so that you feel confident to do it at home and gain deep experience furthering your personal practice.

Become a Vajra Light Member! 

When you become a Member of Vajra Light Kadampa Buddhist Center you're actively supporting the flourishing of Dharma in Westchester and throughout the world.

General Membership includes:
· Unlimited General Program (GP) classes at Vajra Light
· Unlimited day courses, workshops and retreats at Vajra Light
· Live-stream availability for Sunday ONLY General Program classes
· 50% off empowerments at Vajra Light
· Three guest passes per year to GP in-person classes at VLKBC.