Weekly Meditation
Guided Samatha and Vipassanā sessions. All levels welcome. Cushions and chairs provided.
View schedule →
Welcome, friend.
A refuge of stillness,
in the New England woods.
A Sri Lankan Theravāda Buddhist vihara in Grafton, Massachusetts. Quiet practice, gentle teaching, and a community that has gathered here for twenty years — open to everyone.
Since 2004
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
~70
Dhamma Students
2 Monks
Sri Lankan Theravāda
Theravāda · Sri Lankan Tradition
A place to learn, to practice,
and to come home to oneself.
Founded in 2004 as a non-profit religious organization, NEBV & MC has fostered spiritual growth and inner-peace within the New England community for two decades. We offer meditation classes, Dhamma teachings, counseling, and a thriving Dhamma School — open to all, regardless of background or belief.
20
Years of Service
~70
Dhamma Students
2
Resident Monks
52
Sundays a Year
A Generational Project
Building a new meditation hall
for generations to come.
Our 500 sq. ft. Dhamma hall has carried us beautifully — but with nearly 70 Dhamma School students and growing weekly programs, we have outgrown our home. Help us build a new meditation hall on our existing temple land.
$330,784
of $1,000,000 goal
33% raised
Updated March 2025
Audited annually
The proposed new meditation hall · Building Committee rendering
What We Offer
Paths for every practitioner
From your first meditation to lifelong study, the Sangha offers gentle, consistent support on the way.
Dhamma Discussions
Weekly readings and reflections on the Buddha's teaching, in plain English.
Learn more →Dhamma School
Saturday classes for ~70 children — Dhamma stories, meditation, culture, and joy.
For families →Meet a Monk
Private Dhamma counseling with our resident monks. Book an appointment for guidance.
Schedule a visit →For families
A Dhamma School for the next generation.
Saturday mornings, ~70 children come together to learn meditation, Buddhist stories, Sinhala culture, music, and service — taught by our monks and volunteer teachers.
Come Join Us
Upcoming Events
May11Sun
Vesak Full Moon
Vesak Puja & Observance
Celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and parinibbāna of the Buddha. Ceremony, chanting, Dhamma talk.
All day
Details →
May24Sat
Retreat
One-Day Silent Retreat
A full day of noble silence and guided meditation. Beginners welcome.
7 AM – 5 PM
Register →
Jun08Sun
Dhamma School
Dhamma School Year-End
Closing celebration for our Dhamma school year — Dhamma offering, song, and a community gathering.
10 AM – 1 PM
Details →
"Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace."
— The Dhammapada, verse 100
Visit the Vihara
A quiet acre
in Grafton, MA
Nestled in the rolling woods of central Massachusetts, our vihara is open for quiet practice and reflection. Stop by for a Sunday program, a retreat, or simply to sit on the grounds.
- Address
- 162 Old Upton Road
Grafton, MA 01519 - Phone
- +1 (508) 839-5038
- Sunday Program
- Weekly · See schedule
- @nebvmc
Follow Along
Stay connected with our community
Live updates from every program, ceremony, and Dhamma talk — never miss what's happening at the vihara.
Stay connected with the Sangha
Monthly Dhamma reflections, upcoming events, and gentle reminders to sit. Never spam.
Our story.
Twenty years of refuge.
A small all-volunteer Sri Lankan Theravada vihara in the woods of Massachusetts — opened in 2004, growing every year, still everyone's home.
Our Mission
A place of learning, exploration, and quiet contemplation for all who seek a refuge from the noise of modern life.
We are a non-sectarian Theravāda vihara. We welcome Buddhists and non-Buddhists, beginners and long-time practitioners, people of every background, belief, and walk of life. You do not need to be anything to practice here.
Mettā
Unconditional goodwill as the ground of every interaction.
Slow Time
We move at the speed of breath. Rushing is optional.
Openness
No membership, no dues, no prerequisites. Door always open.
Tradition
Rooted in the authentic Sri Lankan Theravāda lineage.
The Sangha
Our Resident Monks
Two Sri Lankan Theravāda monks, trained in the forest and urban traditions, currently in residence at the vihara. Available to teach, sit with you, and answer your questions.
Ven. A. Dhammajothi Thero
Resident Monk · Building Committee
A senior member of the Sri Lankan Theravāda sangha, leading meditation programs, Dhamma talks, and ceremonial observances. Active member of the Meditation Hall Building Committee.
Request an appointment →Ven. D. Pannasiri Thero
Resident Monk · Building Committee
A teaching monk in the Theravāda tradition, leading Dhamma classes for adults and children, and offering counseling on the Buddhist path. Active member of the Building Committee.
Request an appointment →Portrait placeholders — to be replaced with real photographs.
By Appointment
Meet a Resident Monk
Private conversations are available for life questions, grief, spiritual guidance, blessings, or simply to introduce yourself. There is no fee — dāna is welcomed.
Your First Visit
Never been to a vihara? Here's what to expect.
Many visitors worry they'll do something wrong. You won't. Our community is forgiving, and the monks are genuinely delighted to see new faces. This is a temple, but it is also a home.
1
Come as you are
Modest, comfortable clothing is fine — no special outfit needed. White is customary on Pōya (full-moon) days, but never required.
2
Arrive about 10 minutes early
Take your shoes off at the door. Someone will greet you and point you to a cushion or a chair.
3
You don't have to chant, bow, or know anything
Sit quietly, listen, and observe. If something is happening you don't understand, the person beside you will gladly whisper an explanation.
4
Ask questions
After the program, the monks and longtime members are happy to answer questions. Or write us in advance — we will save time to talk.
Find Us
Visit the Vihara
We are half an hour from Worcester, a little over an hour from Boston. The drive is scenic and the grounds are open to quiet visitors when programs are not in session.
- Address
- 162 Old Upton Road
Grafton, MA 01519 - Phone
- +1 (508) 839-5038
- [email protected]
Say Hello
General Questions
For meeting a monk specifically, use the appointment form above. Otherwise, drop us a note here.
Come sit with us.
Programs & Events.
All programs are open to the public, free of charge, and welcoming of beginners. Registration simply helps us prepare cushions and materials.
Weekly Rhythm
Your regular place to sit
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Every Sunday | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Sunday Program · chanting, meditation, Dhamma talk |
| Every Wednesday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Guided evening meditation (online & in-person) |
| Every Saturday | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Dhamma School for children (ages 5–15) |
| First Sunday | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Pali & Sinhala language study |
| Full Moon (Pōya) | All day | Sil observance — extended meditation, eight precepts, Dhamma |
This Season's Highlight
Featured Event
11
May 2026
Vesak · Full Moon
Vesak Puja Festival
Our most sacred observance — celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and parinibbāna of the Buddha. Sunrise chanting, flag-raising, Dhamma talk, and traditional ceremonies through the day.
- Time
- Sunday, May 11 · All day
- Where
- The Vihara & grounds
- Cost
- Free · Dāna welcomed
- Dress
- White, if possible
All Upcoming
Browse Events
May24Sat
One-Day Retreat
Silent Meditation Retreat
A day of noble silence with sitting and walking meditation. Beginners warmly welcomed.
7 AM – 5 PM
Register →
Jun08Sun
Dhamma School
Dhamma School Year-End
Closing celebration for our 70 Dhamma school students — Dhamma offering, song, and a community gathering.
10 AM – 1 PM
Details →
Jun15Sun
Dhamma Talk
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
A three-part series on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta. Part one of three.
10:30 AM – 12 PM
Register →
Jul05Sat
Esala Poya
Esala Full Moon Observance
Commemorating the Buddha's first sermon. Chanting, Dhamma talk, and meditation through the afternoon.
6 AM – 9 PM
Learn more →
Jul18Fri
Weekend Retreat
Weekend Vipassanā Retreat
A three-day residential retreat for returning practitioners. Silent practice and interviews with the teacher.
Fri 6 PM – Sun 4 PM
Apply →
Oct25Sun
Kathina
Kathina Ceremony
The traditional robe-offering that closes the monks' Vassa retreat. One of the most ancient ceremonies in our tradition.
9 AM – 2 PM
Learn more →
Get the monthly calendar
A single email on the first of the month with every retreat, talk, and ceremony.
For families.
Dhamma School.
Saturday mornings, our Dhamma School welcomes children ages 5-15 for Buddhist stories, meditation, Sinhala language, music, art, and service projects — taught by our resident monks and a team of volunteer teachers.
~70
Students enrolled
5–15
Ages welcome
Sat
10 AM – 12 PM
What They Learn
A balanced curriculum
Each Saturday balances learning with play, sitting with movement, tradition with the world they live in.
Dhamma Stories
Jātaka tales, the life of the Buddha, and stories from the Sri Lankan tradition — age-adapted for each class.
Meditation
Short, age-appropriate guided meditations — breath awareness, mettā, and quiet sitting. Five minutes for the youngest, twenty for teens.
Sinhala Language
Optional Sinhala reading, writing, and conversation classes — connecting children with their cultural heritage.
Music & Chanting
Learning the basic chants — gāthā, mettā chanting, and traditional Buddhist music. The voices of the future sangha.
Art & Craft
Mandalas, lotus folding, calligraphy, lantern-making for Vesak. Hands-on, joyful expression of the practice.
Service Projects
Helping at the vihara, food drives, environmental projects. Generosity is taught by doing it.
Age Groups
Three classes by age
Junior Class
Ages 5 – 8
Picture stories, songs, breathing meditations, and lots of warm play. Their first relationship with the Dhamma.
Middle Class
Ages 9 – 11
Deeper Dhamma stories, longer meditations, the Five Precepts, and beginning Sinhala. The years of curiosity.
Teen Class
Ages 12 – 15
Real Dhamma study, mindful conversation, leadership in service projects, and preparation for adult practice.
Enroll Your Child
A short form to begin
No fee, no commitment — register your interest and our Dhamma School coordinator will reach out with the next steps.
Volunteer Teachers
Want to teach?
Our Dhamma School is run by a rotating team of volunteer teachers from the sangha. We're always looking for help — especially in art, music, and Sinhala.
Contact the CoordinatorNew Meditation Hall Fund
Connect. Grow. Enlighten.
Founded in 2004, our vihara has outgrown its 500 sq. ft. Dhamma hall. With nearly 70 children in Dhamma school and meditation programs spilling outside, we have begun a community-funded project to build a proper meditation hall on our existing temple land.
A real building. A real plan. A real timeline. Backed by a 12-person Building Committee and 20 years of community trust.
$330,784
raised of $1,000,000
33%
of total goal
8 years of growth
2016 $61K → 2024 $331K
Updated March 2025
The proposed new meditation hall · rendering courtesy of the Building Committee
Why your support matters
Three real constraints, one clear solution
500 sq. ft. is full
The current Dhamma hall cannot hold the monthly Sil observance, nearly 70 Dhamma school students, and our growing meditation programs. We rent external venues at extra cost — a stop-gap, not sustainable.
Winters block the way
The scenic but winding driveway to the temple becomes impassable in heavy snow. New England winters force the cancellation of weekly programs and shut out community participation for months at a time.
Zoning compliance
The current premises are classified as a single-family dwelling. To properly serve as a place of worship and community gathering, the building must meet Assembly Structure (A-3) safety and accessibility standards.
Vision for the future
A sanctuary for every age, every practice, every season.
The new meditation hall is not just a building — it is a foundation for the next generation of practitioners. Designed to host the full spread of our programs:
- ●A dedicated meditation hall large enough for our growing weekly programs
- ●Classrooms for the Dhamma School (~70 students and growing)
- ●A proper kitchen for community meals and Dāna offerings
- ●A library for Pali, Sinhala, and English Dhamma texts
- ●Full year-round accessibility — including New England winters
- ●Compliance with Assembly Structure (A-3) zoning standards
Project Roadmap
Five years of disciplined progress
Every step has been documented, permitted, and audited. Here is exactly where we are — and where we are going.
- ●Formed Building Committee
- ●Drafted initial plans
- ●Property search
- ●First meeting with Grafton town officials
- ●Town indicated possibility to build two structures on temple land under the Dover Act
- ●Fire safety study
- ●Wetland study
- ●Hired land use attorney
- ●Engineering survey
- ●Town approved special permit for driveway access to the lot
- ●Drafted preliminary building plan
- ●Civil & architectural vendors selected
- ●Perc test passed
- ●Driveway stormwater permit (in progress)
- →Submit 5 remaining applications for town approval (incl. site plan)
Now
- ●Secured town approval for road expansion
- ●Now working on site and building planning activities
Where we are today
From the first committee meeting to today: five years of permits, studies, and patient stewardship. Each phase fully funded by community gifts.
Fundraising status
Last updated: March 13, 2025
$330,784
Goal: $1,000,000
Annual growth of the temple building fund
9-year growth
5.4×
$61K → $331K since 2016
Best year
2021
+$73K from prior year
Remaining
$669K
to reach the $1M goal
Audited annually by an independent CPA on the Board.
Project Expenses to Date
Where the dollars have gone (2023–2024)
Every expense is tracked, recorded, and posted publicly. We update this table after each milestone.
| Date | Description | Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2023 | Driveway inspections and report | $540.00 |
| Feb 2023 | Wetland study | $1,075.00 |
| Dec 2023 | Driveway survey | $3,100.00 |
| Mar 2024 | Site survey permit application | $4,800.00 |
| May 2023 – present | Lawyer fees (zoning & permits) | $4,000.00 |
| Total expenses to date | $13,515.00 |
The People Behind the Project
Building Committee
A volunteer group of devotees and professionals — engineers, lawyers, finance experts, architects, and longtime sangha members — guiding the project from permits through opening day.
Ven. A. Dhammajothi Thero
Ven. D. Pannasiri Thero
Keerthi Jayasuriya
Udaya Silva
Chitra Amarasiriwardena
Dulasiri Amarasiriwardena
Kushan Wijerathne
Saman Amarasinghe
Janath De Silva
Sujeewa Desilva
Vincent Sandanayake
Savithru Jayasinghe
Samurdhi Wijesundara
Ashan Abeysekera
Four Easy Ways to Give
Choose what works for you
Donate via PayPal
Direct, secure, instant tax receipt.
Continue to PayPal →Venmo
No fees, fast, free.
@NEBV-MCMail a Check
Payable to NEBV & MC
162 Old Upton Rd
Grafton, MA 01519
For donations $1,000 and above, donors may dedicate a memorial plaque in honor of a loved one. Contact [email protected] for plaque details.
Be part of generations to come.
Every contribution — large or small — adds a real brick to a real building. Donations to NEBVMC are tax-deductible (501(c)(3) · EIN 20-4066209).
Sādhu · Sādhu · Sādhu
Dāna · the perfection of giving.
Your gift sustains
the practice.
NEBVMC receives no government funding. Generosity from our community keeps the vihara open, supports our programs, and is building the new meditation hall.
Choose Your Way to Give
Four real options
PayPal
Direct, secure, instant tax receipt by email.
Continue to PayPalVenmo
No fees, fast, free. Open Venmo and search:
@NEBV-MCMail a Check
Payable to NEBV & MC
162 Old Upton Rd
Grafton, MA 01519
Want to Pledge?
Tell us your contribution
Fill in the form and choose your preferred method. We'll follow up with payment instructions and a tax receipt.
Donate Essential Items
In-kind donations
If you prefer to give in kind, the temple always needs the items below. Drop off during any program, or arrange pickup with the resident monks.
●Rice (5–25 lb bags)
●Cooking oil
●Tea, sugar, milk powder
●Fresh fruits and vegetables
●Toiletries (soap, toothpaste)
●Paper goods (towels, tissues)
●Cleaning supplies
●Office supplies (paper, pens)
●Children's books (Dhamma School)
For larger items (furniture, appliances), please contact us first: [email protected]
Complete Transparency
Every offering is accounted for.
We publish our annual financial reports, project expenses, and a detailed accounting of the Meditation Hall Fund. Audited annually by an independent CPA.
Thank you
Sādhu · Sādhu · Sādhu
Your pledge is received with deep gratitude. We'll email you within a day with payment instructions and a tax receipt.
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Dhamma reflections.
Blog & newsletters.
Reflections from our resident monks, sangha members, and the newsletter archive — slow reading for slow minds.
Featured Reflection
Latest from the Sangha
Reflection
By Ven. A. Dhammajothi Thero · April 2026
On the Quiet Work of Building
The driveway permit was granted on a Tuesday. By Wednesday I was back to the wetland survey. By Friday I was sweeping the meditation hall before evening practice. The work of building a vihara is not glamorous. It is permits and schedules and patience, and somewhere underneath all of that, the same quiet practice that has carried us for twenty years…
Continue readingRecent Posts
More from the blog
March 2026 · Dhamma
The Five Hindrances in Modern Life
Looking at the classic five hindrances — desire, ill-will, sloth, restlessness, doubt — through the lens of phones, work email, and family life.
Read →February 2026 · Practice
Beginning Meditation Without Apps
A brief guide to starting a daily sit when there is no app to tell you when to start, no timer, no streak — just you and ten minutes.
Read →January 2026 · Tradition
Why Sri Lankan Theravāda?
Our tradition explained for the curious — the lineage, the texts, what makes our approach distinct, and how it relates to other Buddhist schools.
Read →December 2025 · Community
A Year of Generosity
Reflecting on 2025: what the sangha gave, what we received, and the building project's milestones from the heart of the community.
Read →November 2025 · Practice
The Body Knows Time
On retreats, why we ring bells instead of using clocks, and what happens when we let our practice be measured by breath rather than minutes.
Read →October 2025 · Family
Children, Stillness, and Saturday Mornings
What we are learning by teaching meditation to ~70 children — about patience, about attention, and about ourselves.
Read →Newsletter Archive
Past Newsletters
Our quarterly community newsletters — events, milestones, and reflections from years past.
Reflections in your inbox
A monthly Dhamma reflection and the quarterly community newsletter.
Moments from the vihara.
Our gallery.
Photographs from our ceremonies, programs, and the journey of building the new meditation hall. A growing archive of twenty years of community.
Vesak Ceremony
Kathina Robe Offering
The Grounds in Autumn
Dhamma School Story Time
Pōya Day Observance
Inside the Dhamma Hall
Dhamma School Music
The Bodhi Tree
Photo placeholders shown above. Replace with real photographs from your archive when available — see Facebook for the full living gallery.
Follow Along
More on our Facebook page
Live updates from every program, ceremony, and gathering.
Visit Our Facebook Page