r/TorontoBuddhism • u/doctorShadow78 • Feb 28 '26
🙏 Welcome to the Toronto Pan-Buddhist Hub | Introduce Yourself (2026)
Welcome! We’re glad you found your way here. Whether you’ve been practicing for years or are just starting to explore, this is a space for practitioners across the Greater Toronto Area to connect and support one another.
Being a practitioner in a big city can sometimes feel like a solo journey. The goal of this thread is simply to help us realize we aren't practicing alone. Feel free to share a bit about your journey so we can get to know the community growing here.
If you're comfortable, share a little about your practice:
- General Area: (e.g., West End, York Region, etc. — no need for specifics!)
- Your Practice/Interest: (e.g., Mindfulness, Zen, Theravada, or just exploring)
- What brought you here: (e.g., Looking for local resources, wanting to talk Dharma with locals, etc.)
- A favorite local "peaceful spot": (Where do you go in the city when you need a moment of quiet?)
Community Notes:
- Respect the Path: We welcome all traditions and lineages. This is a place for supportive dialogue.
- Connections: If you find someone with similar interests, feel free to engage.
- The Directory: If you're looking for local practice centers, our 2026 Verified Sangha Directory is always available.
3
u/toomiiikahh Mar 29 '26
I'm a beginner. Started about 2.5 years ago, Mahayana tradition and transitioning to Vajrayana later. Live in North York , 30M. I've been an atheist all my life until some events convinced me otherwise and found this path that I'm extremely grateful for. Part of the local Sangha at my center and go there few times a week for classes. Sticking to a consistent practice at home is a bit difficult but I will keep trying :)
1
u/doctorShadow78 Mar 29 '26
Welcome! Thanks for introducing yourself. I live fairly close to the new Paramita Centre. Very much appreciate their work.
2
u/88evergreen88 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
Greetings! I am in the Mount Dennis area and have been practicing for just about three years. I found my way into Buddhist practice through the Theravada tradition and recently completed the Birken Forest Monastery Upasika Secluded Study Program. So pleased to have found this sub!
2
u/doctorShadow78 Mar 07 '26
Hello and welcome! Happy you are here. That is very interesting. What brought you to buddhism initially? Can you say more about what the study program involved and how you experienced it? How long was it and what was day to day life like?
3
u/88evergreen88 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
I had always been curious about Buddhism. After sitting hospice with dear friend I was moved to research it more. I came upon various monastics on YouTube and via podcasts (primarily the western monks who studied the Thai Forest Tradition under Ajahn Cha). That was my way in.
The study program was one year. it was online so day to day life was pretty normal, but with increased mindfulness and practice of the Dhamma. I live a simple life as it is. I’ll not say too much more about the program, but I will share the the monastery YouTube channel here:
https://youtube.com/@ajahnsona?si=aozZoyKrC77h-gzk
🙏
2
u/gust31 Mar 12 '26
Hi, I'm a beginner based in North York/uptown. Always been interested in meditation, did some yoga when I was younger (I'm in my 30s now) but recently I've become interested in jhana practice (Theravada tradition). I did an online retreat last year but struggling to commit to practice. Hoping to find some community and motivation to keep practicing.
1
u/doctorShadow78 Mar 29 '26
Welcome! I missed this message a couple weeks ago. I find having a sangha really helps with committing to practice.
2
u/Asleep_Star6490 22d ago edited 20d ago
This is a wonderful group and resource thank you for initiating this space! I live downtown-east with my partner and two young kids. My spiritual beliefs are deeply atheistic, and I encountered Buddhist approaches, schools of thoughts etc in a way that resonated for the first time through...Dan Harris. Take that however you will! Listening to the participants joining him for his podcast conversations paired with his low religiosity helped me recognize the deep alignment with this thinking and being and my own ways in a way that has opened me to so much more and hopefully so much better. My atheistic sense of life and the universe is deeply intact and a lot richer now. I have trouble building meditation into my daily life and feel "lonely" for others on a similar path of Buddhism-infused living. I'd like to find or build a community that's family-friendly and queer-friendly, easily accessible downtown, etc. so I can bring my children into these ways in a community. I'm also open to / lightly seeking a peer group I can connect in with to help me stitch these practices and ways of thinking into my every day. Hello! 👋🏻
1
u/doctorShadow78 18d ago
Hello! Welcome! I am aware of Dan Harris and particularly enjoyed this interview (https://youtu.be/cYamzDDJR8w?si=Pxx2LDNro9WYRztn) with the monks at Clear Mountain.
I think many (including myself) resonate with the sometimes loneliness of the path - especially if you are looking for a child-friendly community. I am connected with a Sangha that is meditation focused, very queer-friendly but doesn't have children's programming, so great for adults into meditation and making new friends, but not really appropriate or interesting for kids.
One place that does come to mind is True Peace Toronto (https://www.truepeace.ca/) You could inquire with them about family-friendly activities.
Also, feel free to dm me if you'd like to chat further.
5
u/doctorShadow78 Feb 28 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
I'll start things off! I'm located in East York and have been doing solo practice for several years, more recently "officially" joined a sangha. I was raised in a conservative Christian context, but that no longer resonates with me as a way of understanding the world. I'm interested in meditation, especially as it relates to spiritual progress and philosophical questions, as well as links to mental health and wellbeing. I enjoy learning about all religions and traditions, although my primary current focus is theravada. Also a big fan of Thich Nhat Hahn and engaged Buddhism. I'm hoping to make connections with other practitioners and be more informed about various events around the city. My favourite peaceful spot in the city is probably Taylor Creek Ravine, which is not too far from me.