Empty Cloud Monastery
| Empty Cloud Monastery | |
|---|---|
View from the main gate of Empty Cloud in winter | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Leadership | Ayyā Sobhana Abbot |
| Location | |
| Location | Empty Cloud Monastery
29 Ridgeway Ave West Orange, NJ 07052, United States |
| Country | United States |
Interactive map of Empty Cloud Monastery | |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | CR 2019 |
| Website | |
| http://www.emptycloud.org/ | |
Empty Cloud Monastery is a gender-inclusive, non-sectarian Buddhist monastery in West Orange, New Jersey, United States.[1] It was co-founded by monks Ayyā Somā and Bhante Suddhāso through their non-profit, Buddhist Insights. Originally located in New York City, the monastery acquired a historic property, previously a Catholic monastery, to provide a communal space where residents of all genders, both monastic and lay practitioners, engage in traditional Buddhist practices while maintaining separate living arrangements. Open to the public, the monastery hosts free retreats, residencies, and events featuring guest monastic teachers from diverse Buddhist traditions. Their daily routine includes chanting, meditation, work, study, and personal practice.
Origins
Empty Cloud Monastery was co-founded in 2019 by Buddhist monks Ayyā Somā and Bhante Suddhāso, supported by their non-profit organization Buddhist Insights. The monastics were initially based out of a meditation center in Rockaway, Queens, New York City, but after a number of donations, the organization was able to secure the 3-acre (1.2 ha), century-old property, which was formerly a Catholic monastery.[2]
Lifestyle
Empty Cloud Monastery is a gender-inclusive monastery, therefore all of its residents, monastic and lay, practice alongside each other in a community setting, while residing in separate living quarters.[2] The core focus of the monastery is to practice traditional Buddhist teachings while making them available free of charge to all those interested. The monastery regularly hosts retreats and residencies open to the public.[3] Guest monastic teachers are routinely invited to teach, and previous teachers include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Khenmo Drolma, Ajahn Brahm, and other monastics of all genders from various traditions and lineages.[4]
The daily schedule includes morning puja at 5:00 am with chanting in Pali and English, followed by 90 minutes of silent meditation. This is followed by a two hour work period. This can be anything from grounds-work outside, the cleaning the interior of the building. There is one meal at 9:00am, followed by cleanup.[5] All lay residents follow the Eight precepts. The afternoon is reserved for personal practice. At 5 pm, tea is served, followed by a Dhamma talk and evening puja at 6:30 pm.
See also
References
- ^ Kiefer, Eric (January 14, 2020). "Dharma In West Orange: Buddhist Retreat Center Moves To Town". West Orange, New Jersey. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "Our Story". Buddhist Insights. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Joah McGee (December 8, 2020). "Coronavirus Pandemic: Dealing with Disruption". Insight Myanmar (Podcast). Event occurs at 51:20. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Teachers". Buddhist Insights. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Residency Guidelines". Buddhist Insights. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.