
weekly meditation classes for all levels
Weekly Classes
Odiyana Center offers meditation classes that are open to everyone; you don’t have to be Buddhist or have any special experience or background. The classes resonate with a lot of people because they provide very practical methods for finding peace, happiness and meaning in the midst of busy modern daily life. The classes also give effective ways of helping others and dealing with many of the problems in the world today.

ongoing sundays | 11:00am–12:15pm
The Path to Peace
Sundays | 11:00am – 12:15pm
With Resident Teacher, Matthew Stein
Held in-person @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury
Livestream available for supporting members
About the Class
We invite you to our inspirational Sunday morning meditation classes, where we will explore practical methods to cultivate positive intentions and use the power of Buddhist wisdom to solve our daily problems.
The classes include two guided meditations and a talk on how to nurture deeper inner peace, mental freedom, and a clear sense of purpose and direction in our lives.
The classes are based on the book The New Eight Steps to Happiness by the Buddhist meditation master Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This book reveals a series of heartfelt meditations that help us stay positive in the face of adversity, improve our relationships, and bring greater patience, empathy, and compassion into our daily lives.
Each class in this series is self-contained, so you are welcome to join at any point. After each class, you are invited to join us for complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions. We also have many books and other meditation materials available in our shop to help you deepen your understanding and meditation experience through further reading.
You do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, and no previous experience of meditation is required.
Special Prayers called Prayers for World Peace will be included during the last class of each month.
Everybody is welcome!
*The New Eight Steps to Happiness as printed book can be purchased at our Bookshop. Downloadable ebook and audiobook formats are for sale at Tharpa Publications.
The Teacher
Matthew has practiced and taught Kadampa Buddhism and meditation for many years under the guidance of many senior teachers of the New Kadampa Tradition.
Matthew previously lived at the Kadampa World Peace Temple in New York where he engaged in in-depth study and retreat, and recently he completed the Intensive Teacher Training Program at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in Northern England. Matthew teaches from the heart in a clear, warm and relaxed way, that is always practical and relevant to our daily lives.
Cost
$12 per class | Free for Supporting Members
No one is turned away for lack of funds. Please contact the Administrative Director at admin@odiyana.org if you need to make arrangements.
Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Each class in this series is self-contained, so you are welcome to join at any point. After each class, you are invited to join us for complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions. We also have many books and other meditation materials available at our bookshop to help you deepen your understanding and meditation experience through further reading. You do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, and no previous experience of meditation is required. Everybody is welcome!
Location
An In-Person and Online Event
Please contact the Education Program Coordinator at epc@odiyana.org for a zoom link after you have registered for the event if you wish to attend online.
Hosted by:
Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center
450 New London Turnpike
Glastonbury, CT 06033

ongoing wednesdays | 7-8:15pm
How to Understand the Mind
Wednesdays | 7:00 – 8:15pm
With Resident Teacher, Matthew Stein
Held @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury
Livestream available for supporting members
About the Class
In a world often filled with uncertainty, our true source of strength lies within. Embark on a transformational journey inspired by the profound teachings within Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s timeless masterpiece, “How to Understand the Mind.” In this Meditation series, we’ll immerse ourselves in the wisdom of these words, unlocking the secrets to cultivating inner happiness and unwavering peace.
Resident Teacher, Matthew Stein will share practical instructions and guide simple meditations designed to increase our understanding of how our mind works, thereby allowing us to harness its innate power. We can then use this power to finally experience the peace and happiness we’ve been looking for.
Each week includes a guided breathing meditation, a short teaching on how to access more inner calm and kindness, concluding contemplative time and Q&A time with Matthew Stein
Matthew Stein has practiced and taught Kadampa Buddhism and meditation for many years under the guidance of many senior teachers of the New Kadampa Tradition.
Matthew previously lived at the Kadampa World Peace Temple in New York where he engaged in in-depth study and retreat, and recently he completed the Intensive Teacher Training Program at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in Northern England. Matthew teaches from the heart in a clear, warm and relaxed way, that is always practical and relevant to our daily lives.
Cost:
$12 per class | Free for Supporting Members
No one is turned away for lack of funds. Please contact the Administrative Director at admin@odiyana.org if you need to make arrangements.
Location
An In-Person and Online Event
Please contact the Education Program Coordinator at epc@odiyana.org for a zoom link after you have registered for the event if you wish to attend online.
Hosted by:
Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center
450 New London Turnpike
Glastonbury, CT 06033
$1
No one is turned away for lack of funds. Please contact the Administrative Director at admin@odiyana.org if you need to make arrangements.

ongoing Thursdays | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Meditation Toolkit
Ongoing Thursdays | 7:00 – 8:00pm
With Resident Teacher, Matthew Stein
Held in-person @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury
Description:
Meditation gives rise to peace of mind, and when your mind is peaceful, you are happy. You will find relief from stress, anxiety and difficult relationships. This program has been carefully designed to support those who wish to develop and sustain an enduring meditation practice. In particular, we will study the “Lamrim,” a time-tested system of 21 meditations that help you, step-by-step, become a wiser, more compassionate person. Discover the joy of meditation, and become a life-long meditator.
Further detailed commentary on the class’ teachings can be found in the book Modern Buddhism.
Each week will include guided meditation, short teaching, discussion and Q&A time. Each class is self-contained, so feel free to drop into any class you wish.
Everyone is welcome.
May 1: Equalizing Self and Others
May 8: Exchanging Self with Others
May 15: Wishing the Very Best for Everyone
May 22: Being Truly Compassionate
May 29: Becoming a Friend of the World
Everyone needs to make their life happy and meaningful, to solve temporarily their human problems and ultimately to find pure and everlasting happiness. We can accomplish this through Buddha’s Lamrim teachings from which we learn how to control our anger, attachment, jealousy, and especially ignorance.
Cost:
$12 per class | Free for Supporting Members
No one is turned away for lack of funds. Please contact the Administrative Director at admin@odiyana.org if you need to make arrangements.
May 22 (Being truly compassionate)
May 29 (Becoming a friend of the world)
$12 per class | Free for Supporting Members

ongoing Wednesday | 12:15pm – 1:00pm
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Special Events
Looking for special events? Click here to visit the special events page.
listen now
Looking for more dharma? Enjoy brief teachings with Kadampa teachers from around the world.
no one turned away
No one will be turned away from a class for lack of funds. Please contact Rob at admin@odiyana.org to make arrangements.