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Buddhism is not about blind belief; rather it is about understanding cause and effect to realize to the true nature of our universe. Buddhism encompasses four key elements: faith, understanding, practice, and realization. Faith belongs to the realm of religion, understanding is philosophical, practice is belief put into action, and realization is enlightenment. Without faith, we cannot understand; without understanding, we cannot practice; and without practice, we cannot realize enlightenment. Together, these four concepts create the doorway we enter to attain wisdom.
Listing of various meditation groups
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The Pure Land School focuses on mindful recitation -- that is, chanting practice.
Practice and study are complementary. We practice to calm the mind so our innate wisdom will arise. We study to understand the principles, and to better understand why we practice.
While we may think of practice as simply chanting a Buddha's name or a sutra, it actually has a much broader meaning: We are trying to reflect the Buddha's teaching in everything we do, both in our Buddhist cultivation and in our daily lives. Not allowing wandering or discriminatory thoughts to arise in our chanting and daily activities is concentration, and concentration is crucial if we wish to help ourselves and others eliminate suffering and attain happiness.
In our everyday activities, we endeavor to live a moral life in which we do not kill, steal, or engage in sexual misconduct. We strive to not lie or use speech that is harsh, divisive, or enticing. And we work to eliminate our greed, anger, and ignorance.
In other words, we endeavor to practice the Ten Virtuous Karmas. Practice of these calms the mind because the more closely our conduct follows the Ten Virtuous Karmas, the fewer our worries, and the fewer afflictions we will have as a result.
As Pure Land Buddhists, we chant the Amitabha Sutra, in both English and Chinese, and chant "Amituofo." These two are the heart of our formal practice.
How do we chant?
We concentrate solely on the sound of the sutra or of "Amituofo." As we concentrate on “Amituofo,” all incorrect thoughts are replaced by thoughts of a Buddha—a being who has awakened his perfect compassion and perfect wisdom. Even if we are completely focused for only a moment, in that brief moment we are one with perfection and goodness, one with the Buddha's teaching.
We obtain the same benefit from chanting the sutra. Our wandering thoughts are replaced by pure thoughts and seeds for awakening are planted, not those for further suffering in the cycle of rebirth.
Learn More about the deep history and traditions and philosophy of the Pure Land school at http://www.amtbweb.org
Atlanta Pure Land Association Mietoville Academy (Amitabha Buddhist Society) -- Chanting Every Sunday
In Atlanta, join us every Sunday for mindful recitation, 9am - 12pm.
Most Sundays is chanting "Amituofo" (a Buddha's name) over and over, a great mindfulness practice. Some Sundays will also include a sutra. In Chinese, with Vietnamese and English translation books available.
Please wear socks and take off your shoes prior to entering the main hall. Note: You can borrow a "uniform" (black robe) to wear if you'd like to participate fully in the chanting, and are welcome to bow (prostrate) and follow along in the walking meditation, or just sit in the back.
2800 Simpson Circle, Norcross GA 30071
www.amtb-atl.org
Practice and study are complementary. We practice to calm the mind so our innate wisdom will arise. We study to understand the principles, and to better understand why we practice.
While we may think of practice as simply chanting a Buddha's name or a sutra, it actually has a much broader meaning: We are trying to reflect the Buddha's teaching in everything we do, both in our Buddhist cultivation and in our daily lives. Not allowing wandering or discriminatory thoughts to arise in our chanting and daily activities is concentration, and concentration is crucial if we wish to help ourselves and others eliminate suffering and attain happiness.
In our everyday activities, we endeavor to live a moral life in which we do not kill, steal, or engage in sexual misconduct. We strive to not lie or use speech that is harsh, divisive, or enticing. And we work to eliminate our greed, anger, and ignorance.
In other words, we endeavor to practice the Ten Virtuous Karmas. Practice of these calms the mind because the more closely our conduct follows the Ten Virtuous Karmas, the fewer our worries, and the fewer afflictions we will have as a result.
As Pure Land Buddhists, we chant the Amitabha Sutra, in both English and Chinese, and chant "Amituofo." These two are the heart of our formal practice.
How do we chant?
We concentrate solely on the sound of the sutra or of "Amituofo." As we concentrate on “Amituofo,” all incorrect thoughts are replaced by thoughts of a Buddha—a being who has awakened his perfect compassion and perfect wisdom. Even if we are completely focused for only a moment, in that brief moment we are one with perfection and goodness, one with the Buddha's teaching.
We obtain the same benefit from chanting the sutra. Our wandering thoughts are replaced by pure thoughts and seeds for awakening are planted, not those for further suffering in the cycle of rebirth.
Learn More about the deep history and traditions and philosophy of the Pure Land school at http://www.amtbweb.org
Atlanta Pure Land Association Mietoville Academy (Amitabha Buddhist Society) -- Chanting Every Sunday
In Atlanta, join us every Sunday for mindful recitation, 9am - 12pm.
Most Sundays is chanting "Amituofo" (a Buddha's name) over and over, a great mindfulness practice. Some Sundays will also include a sutra. In Chinese, with Vietnamese and English translation books available.
Please wear socks and take off your shoes prior to entering the main hall. Note: You can borrow a "uniform" (black robe) to wear if you'd like to participate fully in the chanting, and are welcome to bow (prostrate) and follow along in the walking meditation, or just sit in the back.
2800 Simpson Circle, Norcross GA 30071
www.amtb-atl.org
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Theravada means "Teachings of the Elders" and Theravadan temples uphold traditions dating back to the Buddha.
Guided Meditation on Saturday evenings at Georgia Buddhist Vihara
- Vipassana Meditation and Dhamma Discussion in English, On Hiatus
LINK to ZOOM on this page
- One Day Meditation Retreats several times a year
Georgia Buddhist Vihara: Theravada Buddhist Temple and Vipassana Meditation Center
www.gavihara.org
3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038
- Vipassana Meditation and Dhamma Discussion in English, On Hiatus
LINK to ZOOM on this page
- One Day Meditation Retreats several times a year
Georgia Buddhist Vihara: Theravada Buddhist Temple and Vipassana Meditation Center
www.gavihara.org
3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038
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Saturday evening meditation in the northwest side of town!
Introducing our newest meditation group in person, in Woodstock Georgia! The Mahamevnawa Buddhist Center of Atlanta is a Theravada temple (small house), and a monk will guide the small group meditation every Saturday night at 7:30pm, all are welcome! Mahamevnawa Buddhist Meditation Center 518 Stell Rd, Woodstock GA 30188 |
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Buddhism is open to everyone. Buddhism is a set of methods that helps us to develop our full human potential by understanding the true nature of reality. Mindfulness is the foundation for these methods.
Vipassana & Mindfulness Meditation Retreats on select Saturdays at Kim Cang Monastery
All are welcome to our one-day meditation retreats - vegetarian lunch provided. (For those who cannot stay the whole day, partial attendance is allowed.)
Practice following the Vipassana meditation method of Burmese master Mahasi Sayadaw
Next retreat -See Upcoming Events page for more details
Mindfulness Meditation Society at Kim Cang Monastery,
www.mindfulnessmeditationsociety.org
4771 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA 30038
All are welcome to our one-day meditation retreats - vegetarian lunch provided. (For those who cannot stay the whole day, partial attendance is allowed.)
Practice following the Vipassana meditation method of Burmese master Mahasi Sayadaw
Next retreat -See Upcoming Events page for more details
Mindfulness Meditation Society at Kim Cang Monastery,
www.mindfulnessmeditationsociety.org
4771 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA 30038
Guided Meditation weekly at Emory University for Emory affiliates
Emory Buddhist Club meets every Thursday at 6pm in Cannon Chapel (main sanctuary on top floor, or basement room 106) on the university campus for guided meditation, talk, and tea. Teachers rotate but in general are monastics from the community.
www.buddhistclub.org
Emory Buddhist Club meets every Thursday at 6pm in Cannon Chapel (main sanctuary on top floor, or basement room 106) on the university campus for guided meditation, talk, and tea. Teachers rotate but in general are monastics from the community.
www.buddhistclub.org
Most of the centers we list here are in the Mahayana ("Great Vehicle") tradition, and there are about 30 other Mahayana Buddhist temples not listed here as they do not have regular events in English. These temples offer services in Chinese, Taiwanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese, with many community members tracing their ancestry to countries/regions in Asia such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Tibet. Schools represented include Vinaya, Doctrine, Sutra, Pure Land, Chan / Zen / Seon, Vajrayana, Esoteric, Tantric, and more. Chua Chùa Tu Vien Thien Vien Tu Viện Thiền Viện Quan Thế Âm Guan Yin are located in Duluth, Gwinnett, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Buckhead, Midtown, Atlanta, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Gainesville, Lilburn, Morrow, and more. There are also Rinzai and Soto Zen Centers in Atlanta. Please email us if you would like more information.
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Not all Buddhist groups, especially in the United States, are led by monastics (ordained monks or nuns). Many are led by lay people (householders) who may have some interest in having a meditation group to practice with!
Meditation in Sandy Springs - Wednesday Nights with Sandy Springs Insight Meditation Group
A community of people practicing and learning mindfulness meditation in the Vipassana tradition. Peer-led lay group. Meets every Wednesday at 7pm, as well as monthly book clubs, study groups, and half day retreats on Sundays at Northwest UU Church.
This Group has closed in 2023 after a 14-year run. THANK YOU EVERYONE!
A community of people practicing and learning mindfulness meditation in the Vipassana tradition. Peer-led lay group. Meets every Wednesday at 7pm, as well as monthly book clubs, study groups, and half day retreats on Sundays at Northwest UU Church.
This Group has closed in 2023 after a 14-year run. THANK YOU EVERYONE!
Meditation in Roswell - Monday Nights with Roswell Insight Meditation Community
We are a diverse group of lay practitioners dedicated to cultivating greater understanding, compassion, and wisdom, through the teachings of the Buddha. These teachings, or Dharma, provide a path of practice, leading directly to the reduction of our personal and collective suffering. We practice in the tradition of Insight Meditation, or Vipassana, which teaches methods for opening the heart and mind, and seeing more clearly into the true nature of our interconnected existence. We are an open community, and welcome practitioners from diverse spiritual and secular traditions.
Mondays at 6:30pm: Newcomer Instructions; 7pm: Sitting and Discussion
www.roswellinsightmeditation.org
Meets at Unitarian Universalist church in Roswell / Metro Atlanta North (UUMAN), at 11420 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
We are a diverse group of lay practitioners dedicated to cultivating greater understanding, compassion, and wisdom, through the teachings of the Buddha. These teachings, or Dharma, provide a path of practice, leading directly to the reduction of our personal and collective suffering. We practice in the tradition of Insight Meditation, or Vipassana, which teaches methods for opening the heart and mind, and seeing more clearly into the true nature of our interconnected existence. We are an open community, and welcome practitioners from diverse spiritual and secular traditions.
Mondays at 6:30pm: Newcomer Instructions; 7pm: Sitting and Discussion
www.roswellinsightmeditation.org
Meets at Unitarian Universalist church in Roswell / Metro Atlanta North (UUMAN), at 11420 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
Atlanta Insight Meditation Community
Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm
In person and/or online, meet spiritual friends at Atlanta Friends House near Decatur
www.atlinsight.org
Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm
In person and/or online, meet spiritual friends at Atlanta Friends House near Decatur
www.atlinsight.org
Red Clay Sangha
A small group of meditators meeting in Chamblee regularly, all are welcome to come attend a session!
RedClaySangha.org
A small group of meditators meeting in Chamblee regularly, all are welcome to come attend a session!
RedClaySangha.org
Breathing Heart Sangha
A mindfulness practice group in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition of Engaged Buddhism.
Meets weekly alternating Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5pm
1748 Old Hickory St. Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: (404) 680-2420
BreathingHeart.org
A mindfulness practice group in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition of Engaged Buddhism.
Meets weekly alternating Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5pm
1748 Old Hickory St. Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: (404) 680-2420
BreathingHeart.org
Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT)
A secular course at Emory University suitable for those of any (or no) religious background
Note: Tuition applies for non-Emory affiliates
Courses are sequential and start each semester
www.tibet.emory.edu
A secular course at Emory University suitable for those of any (or no) religious background
Note: Tuition applies for non-Emory affiliates
Courses are sequential and start each semester
www.tibet.emory.edu
Augusta Georgia -- Southeastern Buddhist Community
Mindfulness Practice Group in Augusta GA and near South Carolina
Wat Santidham Thai Temple, Lotus Vietnamese Buddhist temples, and more in Augusta!
Visit their website or facebook for updates!
http://sebuddhist.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SEBuddhist/
Mindfulness Practice Group in Augusta GA and near South Carolina
Wat Santidham Thai Temple, Lotus Vietnamese Buddhist temples, and more in Augusta!
Visit their website or facebook for updates!
http://sebuddhist.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SEBuddhist/
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Children are naturally excellent at practicing Buddhism, which is simply,
"Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts."
Children's Meditation Class
Weekends.
Offered at no charge. Appropriate for ages 5 - 12.
Dharma Jewel Monastery: Atlanta Zen Buddhism Center
www.dharmajewel.us
2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30345
Weekends.
Offered at no charge. Appropriate for ages 5 - 12.
Dharma Jewel Monastery: Atlanta Zen Buddhism Center
www.dharmajewel.us
2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30345
Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp
Come for a family-friendly fun time in the woods and make friends and enjoy Dharma in nature
May 26-29 2024, our eleventh year! (Memorial Day holiday weekend)
Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge GA
www.georgiabuddhistcamp.com
Come for a family-friendly fun time in the woods and make friends and enjoy Dharma in nature
May 26-29 2024, our eleventh year! (Memorial Day holiday weekend)
Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge GA
www.georgiabuddhistcamp.com
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Online Sutra Study Classes
Live streaming from Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, from Dharma Realm Buddhist University, or other locations. Also on Youtube: DharmaRealmLive
www.berkeleymonastery.org
Live streaming from Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, from Dharma Realm Buddhist University, or other locations. Also on Youtube: DharmaRealmLive
www.berkeleymonastery.org
Other online courses include:
Tibetan Buddhism -- http://studybuddhism.com/ ; http://thubtenchodron.org/ ; and http://kagyuoffice.org/ (His Holiness the Karmapa)
Insight / Vipassana Meditation -- http://www.dharmaseed.com/ ; http://www.abhayagiri.org/
Live radio -- DharmaRadio.org
Tibetan Buddhism -- http://studybuddhism.com/ ; http://thubtenchodron.org/ ; and http://kagyuoffice.org/ (His Holiness the Karmapa)
Insight / Vipassana Meditation -- http://www.dharmaseed.com/ ; http://www.abhayagiri.org/
Live radio -- DharmaRadio.org
Zen Meditation Centers in Atlanta
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Still not sure where to start? Try out several groups...
How to find a teacher and practice community: Look into the various Buddhist teachings and practices so that you can find the approach that is right for you. Note that the “right” practice may not be the one you find easiest. Rather, the "right" practice addresses your suffering on a deeper level given your personality, affinities, and conditions. For example, meditation promotes concentration and mindfulness; bowing develops humility and counteracts pride; and so on. Commit yourself to a few practices that truly benefit you and stick with them.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit or other ulterior motives. Having a strong authentic lineage helps. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities. (Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)
Note: There are other meditation groups and teachers which may claim to practice the Buddhist path, but on deeper examination, whose intentions and actions may not be altruistic, or may even be negative or "cult"-like, or even seek to harm you or others! When searching for a new group/teacher, be sure to use wisdom -- in general, the places listed here come from reputable backgrounds.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit or other ulterior motives. Having a strong authentic lineage helps. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities. (Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)
Note: There are other meditation groups and teachers which may claim to practice the Buddhist path, but on deeper examination, whose intentions and actions may not be altruistic, or may even be negative or "cult"-like, or even seek to harm you or others! When searching for a new group/teacher, be sure to use wisdom -- in general, the places listed here come from reputable backgrounds.
Back to Top |
Courses |
Zen Centers |
Pure Land |
Tibetan |
Theravada |
Mindfulness |
Lay groups |
Children's |
Online