Our motto expresses the vision of living the transformative teachings of the Buddha in a contemporary context. At Urban Dharma, we strive to integrate rather than compartmentalize, engage rather than retreat, commune rather than isolate.
We believe that Buddhist teachings have much to offer—not only to those who self-identify as Buddhist, but more fundamentally to all who seek to live intentional, compassionate, and balanced lives. And we believe that we can do this best when we have a community that is welcoming, open, and supportive.
Visit the temple at 697-C Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC. Regularly open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 5pm.
Our Programs
Stay tuned as Urban Dharma offers a number of special programs throughout the year. We regularly host visiting teachers, offer short multi-week courses on special topics, celebrate Buddhist holy days, and organize educational, artistic, and cultural programs that resonate with our vision and mission.
The best way to keep abreast of Urban Dharma events is to visit our Facebook page.
Coming to the Temple
Though we have not yet reopened our regular daytime hours, there are many events happening each week. The full monthly calendar of events is available at udharmanc.com/events.
If you have general questions about the temple, see if they are answered in our FAQ and temple information pages.
If not, shoot us an email at info@udharmanc.com and we would be happy to help.
At this time we are still asking that everyone wear masks inside of the temple.
Upcoming Events
To get UD event announcements,
follow our Facebook page or subscribe to our mailing list.
How we serve the community
Learn & Practice
Urban Dharma is focused on providing educational and spiritual support and training for those interested in the teachings of the Buddha. Although our spiritual director is grounded in the Tibetan tradition, Urban Dharma is home to several different practice groups and we host teachers and programs from various Buddhist traditions. We believe that Buddhist teachings have much to offer—not only to those who self-identify as Buddhist, but more fundamentally to all who seek to live intentional, compassionate, and balanced lives.
Temple & Sanctuary
Conveniently located in the heart of West Asheville, our temple is a sanctuary and sacred space for all those seeking silence, inspiration, or solace. We offer a meditation space to rest the body and mind, a consecrated Buddhist shrine to experience the sacred and be blessed, and an extensive library (in the back) for studying Dharma.
Gifts, Books & Art
Our temple doesn’t have a shop, but if you are interested in small quality gifts with hints of the exotic East, meditation-related items, sacred art and decor and a selection of books on Buddhism, spirituality and holistic living, and a much larger range of items, please visit the online store Tibetan Spirit. Tibetan Spirit is a popular, online Buddhist practice supplies store, offering high-quality, yet affordable, Dharma supplies to practitioners and communities that do not have easy access to such items.
Small Rituals (Brian L.)
For a Buddhist, it can be disconcerting to walk through the Asian art wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. Eighth-century Bodhisattva statues flank the entrance to exhibition spaces filled with artifacts. Museum visitors stream by on the search for a famous Van Gogh or Matisse, barely turning their
Big Ideas (Ian P.)
One of the ways humans make sense of the world is by telling stories—to ourselves, about ourselves, about others. About where we came from and where we’re going. All too often, our focus on story—our insistence that there is one and that it go a certain way—interferes with our ability to exp
Uncertainty (Joel Q.)
The future is full of uncertainty. I have studied both law and natural systems and think often about the limits of what society will tolerate, of physics, of our biology. Given this preparation, my career will involve working with a series of uncertain outcomes....
Finding a Fresh Start (Aaron B.)
This of course is no easy task. I can moan about my apartment’s lousy Internet and I can worry that I’m not being social enough with my classmates. I have plenty of materials to craft a mundane life. But the truth is I came to Nepal to pursue the Buddhadharma; I came to pursue a change.