2026 Buddhist Recovery Network Summit

Three days of Buddhist practice, recovery, connection, and community exploring Radical Kindness in the Face of Addiction
About this Event

Need local accommodations? See our event page for discounts at local hotels: https://buddhistrecoverysummit.org/

Join recovery practitioners, Buddhist teachers, clinicians, researchers, peer-support leaders, and community members from around the world for three days of learning, practice, healing, and connection.

Hosted by the Buddhist Recovery Network, the Buddhist Recovery Summit is a unique gathering dedicated to exploring how Buddhist teachings and practices can support recovery from addictive behaviors and help alleviate suffering in our lives and communities.

This Year's Theme:

Radical Kindness in the Face of Addiction

Addiction often thrives in environments of shame, isolation, and disconnection. Recovery invites something different: compassion, courage, community, and belonging.

This year's Summit explores what becomes possible when we meet addiction—not only with determination and discipline—but with radical kindness. Through Buddhist wisdom, recovery experience, neuroscience, and lived practice, we will explore how kindness can become a powerful force for transformation in our lives, relationships, and communities.

What to Expect

• Inspiring keynote presentations from nationally recognized teachers and recovery leaders
• Workshops and panel discussions on recovery, mindfulness, healing, and community
• Daily meditation and contemplative practice
• Opportunities to experience a variety of Buddhist recovery meeting formats
• Shared meals and informal community connection
• Social gatherings, storytelling, and celebration, music and movement
• Meaningful opportunities to connect with others on the recovery path

Featured Speakers Include

• Larry Yang
• Dr. Judson Brewer
• Mary Stancavage
• Cynthia Kear
• Gary Sanders
• Kevin Griffin
• Dr. Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)

Additional speakers and workshop leaders will be announced.

Who Is This For?

This gathering welcomes:

• People in recovery from addictive behaviors
• Buddhist practitioners
• Recovery meeting facilitators and community leaders
• Mental health and addiction professionals
• Family members and allies
• Anyone interested in the intersection of recovery and Buddhist practice

No prior Buddhist experience is required.

Scholarships & Accessibility

We believe financial circumstances should never prevent someone from accessing recovery community and support. We encourage anyone with financial need to pay what you can.

We want this event to be accessible regardless of financial circumstances. When deciding what to pay, please consider your ability to meet basic needs—including food, housing, healthcare, and transportation—as well as your access to savings, level of debt, and expendable income. If your needs are comfortably met and you have greater financial flexibility, we invite you to contribute more; if finances require careful planning, choose an amount that feels sustainable; and if meeting basic needs is often stressful or you have little or no expendable income, please choose a lower amount. Contributions at the higher end help make lower-cost participation possible for others. No explanation or proof is required.

You're Invited

Whether you are new to recovery or have been walking this path for many years, we invite you to join us for a weekend of practice, learning, connection, and community.

Together we practice.
Together we recover.
Together we heal.

Together we embody Radical Kindness in the Face of Addiction. Let's come together for the weekend of October 2nd through the 4th at the East Bay Meditation Center's new location: 2406 Webster St Oakland, CA

. This event will feature some of our most beloved BRN Academy speakers, including Kevin Griffin, Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara), Mary Stancavage and more!

Throughout the weekend, we will delve into a range of thought-provoking topics designed to enrich your journey in Buddhist recovery.

A Glimpse of the Weekend

Friday Oct. 2nd

• Registration Opens (2:00 pm - 9 pm)
• Taster Meetings
• Opening Remarks
• Keynote
• Closing Meditation
• Barefoot Boogie

Saturday, Oct. 3rd 9:30 am - 8 pm

• Taster Meetings
• Guided Morning Meditation
• Opening Keynote
• Worskhops
• Panel(s)
• Lunch (Provided)
• Key Note Speaker
• Workshops
• Panel(s)
• Keynote
• Dinner Break
• No-Talent Talent Show

Sunday, Oct. 4th - 9:30 am

• Taster Meetings
• Guided Morning Meditation
• Keynote Talk Panel
• Rejoicing in the Event, Final Thoughts, and Closing Ceremony
• Program ends at 1:30 PM

We look forward to welcoming you for a weekend of learning, reflection, and community!