Elsa Carrillo

In my first semester of this course, I gained valuable insights into the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it. I learned about the eight types of suffering, and how these inevitable experiences shape our lives. Through the teachings of Buddha, I have learned the strategies to work through these sufferings, such as mindfulness, right understanding, and right action, which help bring about inner peace and clarity.

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L1(B)M - Phil

I have really enjoyed the monastery every Thursday morning. It is a nice respite from daily life. Everyone is so friendly. I find the morning mediation very calming. I also really enjoy the class.

Phil

L1(B)M - Stacy Elliott

I wanted to express how important it was for me to learn the etiquette of the Buddhist monastery, including how to greet monks and nuns, how to put my palms together, and how to half-bow, among other practices.

Stacy Elliott

L2(B)E Class - Paola

My level 2 learning experience expanded my knowledge of Buddhism and taught me more about how to use the teachings to benefit others - not just myself. During the lectures, listening to stories about the Buddha is what I found to be most educational because they show how the teachings have applied to real life situations.

Paola

L2(B)E Class - Sidney

My journey to Middle Land Chan Monastery (MLCM) was a deliberate step back, a recognition that years of navigating the Buddhist path had left me with a map, but not the lived experience of the terrain. Despite a life shaped by Buddhist principles, a subtle dissonance lingered, a sense that the true essence of "practice" remained elusive.

Sidney

L2(B)E Class - Gautam

My time at the monastery has been impactful, meaningful, and gradually transformative. Through the weekly lectures and guided meditations, I was introduced to the core principles of Buddhism in a way that felt both clear and deeply accessible. While I had practiced meditation informally through a personal practice, I found the guidance provided by the practitioners at Middle Land helped me significantly deepen my practice. For me and my fellow students, with different backgrounds, goals, and experience, the instructors came with clarity, gentleness, and insight.

Gautam

L3 Meditation Class - Erkan Ozkaya

Participating in the Level 3 course The Essence of Mahayana Practice has been a deeply enriching experience. One of the aspects I appreciated most was the quality and depth of the class discussions. They were thought-provoking and helped me to engage with the teachings in a more personal and practical way. Accordingly, I found myself reflecting more deeply on the core Mahayana principles and recognizing their relevance in my daily life.

Erkan Ozkaya

The Golden Key

Most of us are conditioned socially during our years in school, at home and at work that certain traits or characteristics

Chuan Ling Tan

I Found a Home

From the day we were born to the present time, each of us has a unique and significant story to tell from the lowliest to the kingly.

Chuan Jue Faraon

Reflection

Like a mini-vacation from the world where I can practice and reset my trajectory. I tend to leave the monastery with a gentle smile on my face and a sense of lightness.

Chuan Zai Federoff

Buddhism Guides Me

I sought out the Middle Land Chan Monastery’s meditation classes during an emotionally jumbled period of my life.

Chuan Lu Hakinna

3/16 Water Repentance Ceremony Reflection

Attending the Water Repentance Ceremony at the Middle Land Chan Monastery was a moving and transformative experience.

Level 3 Erkan