Buddhist Life

In the middle of busy semester schedules and constant deadlines, the Buddhist Life at Tufts offers a place to pause, breathe, and find your center. Partnering with the student-led Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha, we explore timeless practices that cultivate calm, resilience, and genuine compassion. We embrace a pluralistic approach to Buddhist traditions, making space for diverse contemplative practices, guided meditation, and honest reflection. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or have never sat on a meditation cushion in your life, you are warmly invited to bring an open mind and practice alongside us.

Grounded in the value of good friendship (sangha), our community is a welcoming hub for quiet contemplation and meaningful dialogue. Weekly gatherings pair simple meditation sessions with open discussions on how Buddhist wisdom intersects with everyday modern life. We celebrate key moments together—like our annual campus-wide Buddha’s Birthday event—and connect students with regional and international retreat centers. From pastoral care to mindfulness workshops for students, faculty, and staff, we provide a steady, compassionate anchor for anyone looking to live with more intentionality and heart.

Weekly Gatherings

Midday Mindfulness with the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha

Mondays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Interfaith Center, 58 Winthrop St.

The Buddhist Chaplain will lead mindfulness meditations on breathing, walking, eating, sitting, noble silence, listening and loving kindness for 40 minutes. Then there will be a brief Q&A session and snacks. All are welcome. You can email University Chaplain for more information at elyse.nelson_winger@tufts.edu.

Tea and Community Care with the Buddhist Chaplaincy

Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel

The Buddhist Chaplaincy, Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha and Graduate Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha will lead programs on self care. The focus of the program will change, but at the beginning of every program, there will be a 10-15 minute meditation session. This program is designed to help you how to be a good friend to yourself. You can email University Chaplain for more information at elyse.nelson_winger@tufts.edu.

Annual Events

: April 2018

: 04/30/2018 – Medford/Somerville, Mass. – Program Coordinator Zachary Cole delivered opening remarks and invited guests from the area Buddhist community were in attendance along with students and other community members during Buddha Day at Tufts University in Goddard Chapel on April 30, 2018. (Nicholas Pfosi for Tufts University)

: 04/29/2019 – Medford/Somerville, Mass. – Venerable Geshe Tenley of the Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Medford, helps Ravi Bajpai, A21, to bathe Baby Buddha during the Celebration of Buddha Day, honoring the birth, teachings, and enlightenment of the Buddha, in Goddard Chapel on April 29, 2019. (Anna Miller/Tufts University)

About the Community

Community Leadership

Prakruthi Ramesh, M.A.

Programs and Resources

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