Buddhist Meditation in Amsterdam (in English)

There are 5 Buddhist monasteries and meditation centres in the Netherlands in our directory that welcome English speakers, across Insight, Zen and Tibetan traditions. Many offer free or donation-based (dana) teachings and retreats; check each centre's website for dates and guidelines.

Insight (vipassana) centres

Vipassana Meditatiecentrum DhammadipaAmsterdam · Insight (Mahasi Sayadaw tradition) Reviews and questions

Zen, Chan and Seon

Zen Dojo AmsterdamAmsterdam · Zen Reviews and questions

Tibetan centres

Amsterdam Diamond Way Buddhist CenterAmsterdam · Tibetan (Karma Kagyu, Diamond Way) Reviews and questions
Maitreya InstituutEmst and Amsterdam · Tibetan (FPMT) Reviews and questions

Other centres

Shambhala Meditation Center AmsterdamAmsterdam · Shambhala Reviews and questions

First visit? How to stay at a Buddhist monastery. See all centres worldwide. Run a centre? Add it free. Links last checked November 2026.

Questions people ask

Can beginners visit a Buddhist monastery in the Netherlands?

Yes. Most monasteries and meditation centres in the Netherlands welcome beginners for talks, group sittings or retreats. Contact the centre first and follow its guidelines.

Do Buddhist retreats cost money?

Many monasteries run on donations (dana) and ask nothing fixed. Lay-run retreat centres usually charge for food and lodging, often with a sliding scale.