Programs


Private Retreat

Flexible Dates
Onsite
Samye Hermitage New York is a sanctuary for those who wish to deepen their practice and train their minds. We encourage serious Buddhist practitioners who are studying under the guidance of an authentic teacher to apply for private retreat. After we receive your deposit, our resident teacher will review your application and reach out directly to confirm your retreat plan. As a retreatant at our center, you can enjoy the use of our Bath House, which includes shower, toilet, and laundry facilities, as well as our Lotus Barn, which includes a kitchen, dining area, and shrine area. There is also…

Cultivating Stillness: Weekly Meditation Group

With Matthew Zalichin

February 20 - May 28, 2024
Online
We welcome you to this weekly practice of calm-abiding (shamatha) meditation, suited both for beginners and those who which to reinvigorate and sustain their practice. Deepen your experience of the essential art of meditation as found in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, guided by our experienced instructors. This class not only provides a structured environment for practice but also emphasizes active engagement through open discussion and a dedicated Q&A segment. Each session unfolds with a purposeful meditation period, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the transformative practices inspired by the rich traditions of Buddhism. This "hands-on" experience provides a unique…

The Treasury of Blessings: Weekly Practice Group

With Matthew Zalichin

February 22 - May 30, 2024
Online
We invite you to join this weekly practice of the Treasury of Blessings, a liturgy to unlocks the profound path of Buddha Shakyamuni. Each session will begin with a guided group practice in English, and include space to cultivate one's meditation practice, the key to Phakchok Rinpoche's Path of Meditation program. Our experienced instructor will provide simple yet impactful instructions, combining the Treasury of Blessings with the transformative power of meditation. After each practice session, there will be an opportunity for open discussion and Q&A segment. Share insights, ask questions, and connect with like-minded individuals on the spiritual path. Whether…

Sundays at Samye: Study & Practice Group

With Michael Friedman

February 25 - May 26, 2024
On Campus
On Sundays from 11 am to 12:30 pm or so, we offer meditation, study of essential texts, and group discussion, covering varying topics in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Our atmosphere is informal, the meditation simple and straightforward, and, though some familiarity with buddhadharma is certainly helpful, it is not required. (A good practitioner always cultivates beginner’s mind.) Currently we are looking deeply into the four foundations, crucial preliminary teachings and practices that provide an unshakeable basis for genuine engagement with the Buddhist path. Our principle texts at present are Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche as well as…

The Path of Meditation: Weekend Retreat

With Matthew Zalichin

May 24 - 26, 2024
Onsite & Online
We invite you to join our Path of Meditation retreat, a tranquil weekend program tailored for those seeking a gentle introduction to the transformative power of meditation. Nestled in the serene hills of Cooperstown, NY, this retreat is designed to provide a welcoming space for beginners to learn the art of meditation, and those with more experience to deepen their practice. Our skilled meditation instructors will guide you through accessible and beginner-friendly practices, offering techniques to quiet the mind, cultivate inner peace, and enhance overall well-being. The retreat schedule allows for a gradual and nurturing immersion into meditation, ensuring that…

The Path of Realization: Vajrayana Retreat

With Tulku Migmar Tsering

Flexible Dates
Samye Hermitage New York
From June 28 to July 4, join Tulku Migmar and the Samye community for a deep dive into the profound teachings and practices of Guru Padmasambhava, as revealed in the Tukdrup Barché Kunsel (Dispeller of All Obstacles). Whether you wish to stay for the weekend or for the entire week, this retreat will immerse participants in the essence of these ancient wisdom teachings, guiding them towards an authentic understanding of this profound lineage of practice. Guided by Tulku Migmar, throughout the retreat, participants will engage in two daily group sessions dedicated to the practice of Guru Padmasambhava. These sessions will…

Samye Family Weekend & Community Gathering

Flexible Dates
On Campus
Join our community gathering and picnic on Saturday, July 6th, and feel free to camp for the whole weekend! Bring your family and friends for this celebration of our summer season with Tulku Migmar. This event is open to everyone in the local community, so be sure to spread the word and invite your neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances. Let's come together, celebrate our community, and enjoy summertime in Cooperstown.

Samye Summer Immersion

With Tulku Migmar Tsering, Joie Szu-Chiao Chen, Oriane Lavole and Matthew Zalichin

July 10 - 31, 2024
Onsite & Online
Applications are now open! Join us for a three-week immersive program in Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice, offering college-level instruction to learners of all ages. The Samye Summer Immersion combines rich study with practical application—a precious opportunity to not only explore the vast world of Buddhist wisdom but also to integrate it into our lived experience—amidst the rolling hills of Cooperstown, in all its summer glory. Three tracks are available: Buddhist Studies, Tibetan Language, and Dharma Service. Our Buddhist Studies track features an academically-focused introduction to the philosophical and cultural breadth of the Buddhist traditions, led by Joie Szu-Chiao Chen…

The Path of Transformation: Weekend Retreat

With Tulku Migmar Tsering

July 12 - 14, 2024
Samye Hermitage New York
We invite you to join this introduction to the essential points of meditation in the Mahamudra tradition, for both Summer Immersion students and the wider public. Tulku-la will also give instructions on the core elements of mind training. Nestled in the serene hills of Cooperstown, NY, this retreat is designed to provide a welcoming space for beginners to learn the art of meditation, and those with more experience to deepen their practice. We are delighted that Tulku Migmar will be on campus to guide us through accessible and beginner-friendly practices, offering techniques to quiet the mind, cultivate greater compassion, and…

The Path of Dignity: Weekend Workshop

With Sophie (Shu-chin) Wu

July 19 - 21, 2024
Samye Hermitage New York
We invite you to join this weekend workshop on Phakchok Rinpoche's latest book, Awakening Dignity: A Guide to Living a Life of Deep Fulfillment, with co-author Shu-chin (Sophie) Wu. The notion of dignity is crucial to the question of how best to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, particularly for today’s environment in which so many of us experience self-doubt, low self-esteem, and feelings of being trapped by anxiety, dissatisfaction, or even success. How, in such a circumstance, can we gain authentic and unshakeable dignity? In Awakening Dignity, Phakchok Rinpoche draws from the Tibetan Buddhist wisdom tradition to offer a…

Noble Living, Noble Dying: Weekend Workshop

With Ani Jamyang Donma, RP and Andrea Sherman, PhD

July 26 - 28, 2024
Samye Hermitage New York
Are you a caregiver, a health professional, someone with an aging or ailing family member? Samye Hermitage in Cooperstown, New York is offering an annual ongoing training and support to caregivers.  Come join us on our beautiful land.  Take refuge in the sanctuary of care and compassionate reflection with peers as we explore this healing journey, we call life. In this training we will explore all the ways that caring for others can enrich our lives and the lives of those we care for. Learn skills to maintain resilience and calmness.  Share in the experiences of those who care for…

Thirty-Five Day Retreat on the Tukdrup Barché Kunsel

With Tulku Migmar Tsering

August 4 - September 7, 2024
Onsite
For practitioners of the Guru Padmasambhava's heart practice—Tukdrup Barché Kunsel (Dispeller of All Obstacles)—the Thirty-Five Day Retreat is renowned for its effectiveness in evoking the profound blessings of this practice. On Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche's advice, Tulku Migmar Tsering will lead a select group of practitioners through this sequence of practice, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the key points of the Vajrayana, and the Tukdrup Barché Kunsel in particular. The Tukdrup Barché Kunsel was discovered by the Great Tertön Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa in the 19th century, with the support of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. The chief figure…