SBT – The Secular Buddhist Tradition - is only one month away from the start of our project to establish our first Buddhist center in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, on May 1st, 2026. But we need your help. We are currently in desperate need of donations and resources to facilitate the move. Our first goal is simple – secure temporary housing as we begin building connections within the local community. From there, our long-term vision is to establish a dedicated community center: a place with enough space to host retreats, support member stays, and develop a monastery for training monastics.
Why Asheville?
Known for its open, creative, and inclusive culture, Asheville supports a thriving community of artists, contemplatives, and spiritual practitioners from many traditions, including Buddhism. Nestled in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, the region is surrounded by exceptional natural beauty—forests, trails, and quiet spaces that naturally support reflection and contemplative practice. Asheville is also accessible. It is well connected by major highways for domestic travel and has a local airport with convenient connections through nearby international hubs, making it reachable for both U.S. and international sangha members.
Our Vision
Our vision is modest. We are not seeking to create anything grand or commercial. Instead, we envision a simple, affordable, community-supported space created solely to serve the needs of our online sangha - a physical home that supports practice, teaching, and connection for our global community.
Funded completely by donations
Like all of SBT’s work, everything at our Asheville center will be offered free of charge, including rooms, food, teachings, and programs. SBT – Secular Buddhist Tradition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization EIN – 39-2637150. SBT and our Asheville Center Project are funded entirely by donations from our members and supporters. Your contribution will ensure that our vision becomes a reality.