WELCOME
The theme for the 2025 festival will be “GROUND”. The ground or base, is the primordial, uncreated state of any sentient being and is always there. Ground is something which is present as the very nature of the knowing mind. We offer this festival as a means of penetrating our confusion and to help us see what gets in our way. Our festival will offer films, performances, and discussions that will look at how unfamiliar, and beneficial the recognition of this ground can be.
Enjoy the BAFF 2025 festival trailer!
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche (live on zoom)
We will be hosting a LIVE Q&A (via ZOOM) with the renowned teacher and film director, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, also known as Kyhentse Norbu. He has written and directed four award-winning films, including The Cup, Looking for a Lady With Fangs and a Moustache, and Hema Hema: Sing Me A Song While I Wait. It is truly an honor and a rare opportunity to have Rinpoche join us LIVE via zoom after screening his latest film Pig at the Crossing.
(due to Rinpoche’s busy schedule, this may change… we will keep you posted)
BORN I
Saturday (Book Reading & Performance, 4–6 PM)
Lyrical Dharma: A Journey Through Music and Mindfulness
This will be an immersive experience blending spoken word, live performance of my album Komorebi, and readings from my new book Lyrical Dharma. I’ll share stories and lyrics exploring the intersection of hip-hop, personal reflection and Buddhist practice. There will be space for dialogue with the audience as well.
Sunday (Guided Meditation & Sound Bath, 4:30–6 PM)
Presence and Sound: A Meditative Journey
This offering will include a short dharma talk on self-compassion and presence, followed by a guided meditation and immersive sound bath. The intention is to create a space of inner stillness and gentle reflection supported by music, voice, and breath.
Nawang Khechog
Nawang Khechog is the first tibetan Grammy nominee and the most renowned Tibetan flutist in the world. We are honored that he will offer a performance and participate in a panel discussion after the film “The Dalai Lama’s Gift”.
Here are some photos from the upcoming september 2025 festival!
Dances of Universal Peace with Waduda and Jahanara.
The Dances of Universal Peace are a joyful, embodied, sacred practice of sound and movement, using mantras from the many different spiritual traditions of the world. The chants and movements are powerful, but simple and repetitive, and easily accessible even to beginners and the less physically able. Everything is taught in the moment so anyone can join even if they have never tried it before. They are meditation in action, and bridge the gap between the meditation cushion and everyday life, training us to meet one another and ourselves in compassion and body-centered awareness.
We will be updating the website frequently. Please share your email below if you’d like for us to keep in touch and let you know when tickets go on sale.