Have you ever considered visiting a Buddhist monastery? Typically, most individuals would consider visiting one in Asia. However, there are currently many Buddhist monasteries spread out over the United States, thus, one may not need to travel very far if they want to visit a Buddhist monastery (although remember these are working monasteries and not tourist destinations).
The United States has many Buddhist monasteries. However, this article will only highlight a few to provide readers with an overview of the country’s Buddhist monasteries.
List Of The Monasteries In the USA
1. Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
In Redwood Valley, California, there is a Thai Forest Tradition Theravadin monastery called Abhayagiri. The Noble Eightfold Path, commonly known as traditional concentration and insight meditation, is its main focus, along with the teaching of Buddhist principles as a powerful means of eradicating pain and dissatisfaction. In Pali, the name Abhayagiri means “fearless mountain.”
Throughout the year, Abhayagiri offers a range of courses and teachings. To support individual practice, improve spiritual development, and enrich Dhamma’s academic and experiential comprehension, the Upasika Program was developed for laypeople. The monastery hosts Upasika Days throughout the year, open to individuals who have signed up formally for the program and those who may only want to stop by for the day. The vow-exchanging ritual takes place in the springtime each year. Every Upasika Day has a particular theme for the teachings that are presented.
2. City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
In Redwood Valley, California, there is a Thai Forest Tradition Theravadin monastery called Abhayagiri. The Noble Eightfold Path, commonly known as traditional concentration and insight meditation, is its main focus, along with the teaching of Buddhist principles as a powerful means of eradicating pain and dissatisfaction. In Pali, the name Abhayagiri means “fearless mountain.”
Throughout the year, Abhayagiri offers a range of courses and teachings. To support individual practice, improve spiritual development, and enrich Dhamma’s academic and experiential comprehension, the Upasika Program was developed for laypeople. The monastery hosts Upasika Days throughout the year, open to individuals who have signed up formally for the program and those who may only want to stop by for the day. The vow-exchanging ritual takes place in the springtime each year. Every Upasika Day has a particular theme for the teachings that are presented.
3. Koyasan Buddhist Monastery
Japanese Buddhist Monastery Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin, sometimes referred to as Koyasan Buddhist Monastery, is located in the Little Tokyo neighbourhood of Downtown Los Angeles, California, in the United States. It is one of the first still-standing Buddhist monasteries on the continent of North America, having been founded in 1912. The Monastery is the regional office for the school in North America and is a branch of KoyasanShingon Buddhism. Since the Monastery was founded in 1912, there have been eight head bishops. We now know as the Koyasan Buddhist Monastery was built by the fourth and fifth bishops, Reverend Seytsu Takahashi and RyoshoSogabe. Reverend Seytsu Takahashi served a one-year tenure as the 482nd Hoin-daikajo-i for Kongobuji Monastery at Mt. Koya in 1982 before passing suddenly soon after in 1983, was honoured for his achievements and his steadfast confidence in the quest to create a new Monastery.
4. Metta Forest Monastery
A Theravada monastery in Valley Center, California, is called Metta Forest Monastery, also known as WatMettavaranam or WatMetta. AjaanSuwatSuvaco (1919-2002) and his pupil ThanissaroBhikkhu founded it in 1991. Since 1993, AjaanThanissaro has served as the local abbot. There are currently ten resident bhikkhus—nine American and one Thai—and accommodations for lay Buddhists going on retreat for the night.
Ajaan Thanissaro emphasizes the value of adhering to the Vinaya, or Buddhist monastic discipline, which teaches living in the forest and relying solely on donations from the lay community, both of which are essential components of the Thai Forest Tradition, of which he is a part. The Eight Precepts of Buddhism, which aid in introducing pupils to Theravada Buddhism, are expected of all visitors.
5. Empty Cloud Monastery
Buddhist monks AyySom and Bhante Suddhaso co-founded Empty Cloud Monastery in 2019 with the help of their nonprofit, Buddhist Insights. The monastics had been operating out of a meditation centre in Rockaway, Queens, New York City. Still, thanks to several donations, the number was able to purchase the three-acre site that had once been a Catholic monastery. As a gender-inclusive monastery, Empty Cloud Monastery allows both monk and lay members to practice together in a group while maintaining their own dwelling spaces. The monastery’s primary goal is to live out traditional Buddhist teachings while making them freely available to everyone interested. The monastery frequently offers retreats and residencies that are open to the public. In the past, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Khenmo Drolma, AjahnBrahm, and other monastics of all genders from various traditions and lineages have served as monastic guest teachers.