Programs and Activities
How to Participate
NBEFโs practice-centered Dhamma courses are intended primarily for experienced practitioners who can meditate consistently for at least 30 minutes to one hour each day. Instruction is offered online, with in-person practice when available. Instruction and materials are free for individual participants. As practice deepens, two to three hours of daily practice may be recommended.
Practice Commitment: NBEF provides practice-centered instruction in the Noble Eightfold Path for those prepared to make a sustained commitment to practice. Participants are expected to practice daily, observe the five precepts, maintain a daily practice journal, and participate in regular individual teaching interviews. Please consider whether you are ready for this commitment before requesting to join the program.
To apply, email nbef.education@gmail.com.
NBEF Sangha Activities
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Current gatherings
In Kansas, USA, we meditate together Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. On Saturdays, we hold a meditation session and Dhamma talk from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Past activities
June 1โ7, 2026: Roger organized a one-week non-residential retreat for the Kansas Sangha. The retreat was held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, and participants could attend one day, several days, or the entire retreat.
May 16, 2026: Building on the success of the April retreat, the Kansas Sangha held another one-day retreat as part of its monthly retreat program.
April 19, 2026: The Kansas Sangha held a one-day retreat from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Roger organized the gathering, and Mayura kindly offered lunch and tea for the participants.
We thank Roger and Mayura for their generous support of these gatherings.
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Past activities
April 24โ26, 2026: The Los Angeles Sangha held a three-day, two-night intensive meditation retreat at Hyewol Jeongsa in Palmdale, California. Dhamma Teacher Kyong Suk Kim coordinated the retreat.
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[Monthly Dhamma Gathering]
NBEF Korea holds a monthly Dhamma gathering in Seoul that includes meditation practice, Dhamma discussion, Q&A, a shared meal, and conversation over tea.
Date: Second Saturday of each month
Time: 1:00 p.m.โ5:30 p.m.
Location: National Library of Korea
Schedule
Part 1: 30 minutes of jhฤna practice
Part 2: Dhamma discussion and Q&A
Part 3: Group discussion over dinner and tea
[Weekly Meditation Meeting]
As you continue your meditation practice, there may be times when it becomes difficult to practice on your own. Meeting with fellow practitioners once a week to meditate together and share Dhamma reflections can renew your energy and provide valuable support for your practice.
Congratulations on forming the weekly meditation meeting! Thank you, Chaewon Lim, for your hard work and dedication in organizing it.
The monthly Dhamma gathering and weekly meditation meeting are open only to NBEF practitioners. For further information, please contact Dhamma Teacher Jeongjin Seo. Thank you.
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Current retreat
An intensive meditation retreat is being held at Jeju Dhamma Arama from September through October 2026. This year, April Han has traveled all the way from the United States to participate. We hope that all the practitioners will gain meaningful fruits from their practice during this retreat. We are grateful to Eunji Kim for once again coordinating the overall arrangements, including the schedule and participant guidance. We also sincerely thank Eunji Kim and Youngin Kim for staying until the end to complete the centerโs preparations for winter.
Past activities and background
Since 2017, many practitioners have attended fall retreats coordinated and led by Nancy at Dhamma Arama, ranging in length from a few days to months. However, due to personal circumstances, Nancy is unable to attend the annual fall retreat in Korea in 2026.
Eunji Kim has kindly stepped forward to coordinate the Jeju retreats, allowing the retreat program to continue and expand from April through October.
We sincerely thank Eunji Kim for taking on this responsibility and wish all participants meaningful progress in their practice.
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Current status: The monthly Gyeongju gathering is temporarily suspended in 2026 because of low enrollment and the Dhamma teacherโs sabbatical. The Sangha remains active, and Gyeongju practitioners join Seoul Sangha activities when they can. The monthly gathering will resume when participation increases and the Dhamma teacher returns.
Past activities: Since 2024, NBEF Korea has held monthly Dhamma gatherings in Gyeongju with meditation practice, Dhamma discussions, Q&A, shared meals, and conversation over tea.
NBEF Dhamma Courses
NBEF Dhamma teachers have offered practice-centered Dhamma courses since the winter of 2022. The courses are intended primarily for experienced practitioners and are conducted in small groups of two to four participants, allowing each practitioner to receive individualized guidance. Instruction is provided primarily online, with in-person practice when available.
The program follows a progressive path through Level 1, Level 2, Teaching Assistant (TA), and Dhamma Teacher training. It supports both the development of sincere practitioners and NBEFโs long-term goal of developing qualified lay Dhamma teachers.
Over the years, NBEF has offered Dhamma instruction to practitioners in various regions around the world, including the United States, South Korea, Europe, and Japan. The regions served may expand or contract depending on the availability of NBEF Dhamma teachers and the locations of practitioners.
NBEF Meditation Centers
Gifts of Dhamma Books
Since November 2016, NBEF has purchased and donated books on Early Buddhism, including the English and Korean editions of Introduction to Early Buddhism. These books have been offered to bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, meditation centers, Dhamma study groups, Dhamma friends, and anyone requesting them in the United States and South Korea. This effort continues as NBEF purchases and distributes books on Early Buddhism as gifts of Dhamma.