Empty Cloud Monastery
Empty Cloud Monastery is a gender-inclusive, non-sectarian Buddhist monastery in West Orange, New Jersey, USA.[1]
| 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 |
| Website | |
| http://www.emptycloud.org/ | |
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 three-acre, 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]
The daily schedule includes Morning puja begins at 5:30 am and lasts an hour and a half. It includes chanting in both Pali and English, then 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.[6] All lay residents follow the Eight Precepts The afternoon is then reserved for personal practice. At 5 pm, tea is served, followed by a Dhamma talk and evening puja at 7:30 pm.
Community programs
Various free meditation programs and retreats are offered at the monastery, both on-site at the monastery, and at various locations nearby.
References
- Kiefer, Eric (January 14, 2020). "Dharma In West Orange: Buddhist Retreat Center Moves To Town". West Orange, New Jersey. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "Our Story". Buddhist Insights.
- "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.
