I’ve made three visits to the Kadampa Meditation Center in New York state and can attest it is one of my favorite locations for quiet walks, meditations, and Buddhist-related talks.

The temple is stunning, replete with Buddhist statuary, artwork, and plenty of comfortable seating for classes and meditation. A bookstore offers a variety of items tied to Buddhism and meditation.

The grounds themselves are immaculate and well thought-out. Not only are there abundant walking trails, but most also include a conveniently located bench for the inevitable desire to meditate or pray. Overnight accommodations are perfectly comfortable and as austere as you’d expect.

Vegetarian meals are offered and are both plentiful and tasty.

The staff are warm, welcoming, and gracious. Any and all visitors are free to walk the grounds, spend time inside the temple when it’s open, participate in classes, and dine. Fees are modest at best.

My only criticism – and as always, it’s entirely personal – is the way Buddhism has followed so many other religions in creating all of these silly rites and rituals. The Buddha, as with Christ Jesus, had zero interest in such displays. But we mere mortals love our rituals.