Empty Cloud Monastery
| Empty Cloud Monastery | |
|---|---|
 View from the main gate of Empty Cloud in winter | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Leadership | Ayyā Somā & Bhante Suddhāso (Co-Abbots) |
| Location | |
| Location | Empty Cloud Monastery
29 Ridgeway Ave West Orange, NJ 07052, United States |
| Country | United States |
| 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 rooted 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[edit]
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 three-acre, century-old property, which was formerly a Catholic monastery.[2]
Lifestyle[edit]
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, and 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 5:30 am for an hour and a half, with chanting in Pali and English, followed by an hour of silent meditation. This is followed by a short chore period and breakfast. At 8 am, there is sutta study, then a two-hour work period, followed by the day's final meal at 11 am.[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 7:30 pm.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Residency Guidelines". Buddhist Insights.
External links[edit]
39°21′39″N 123°14′00″W / 39.36083°N 123.23333°W
