Zen (Chan) focuses on our mind... Chan starts with gaining thorough knowledge of one's own self. Through letting go of all attachments and giving rise to wisdom, our mind can regain its luminosity. We call this knowledge of the notion of self "enlightenment" or "seeing one's self-nature." This is the beginning of helping yourself to thoroughly solve real problems. In the end, you will discover that you as an individual, together with the whole of existence, are but one indivisible totality.
Below are some of the Zen meditation groups in the Atlanta area for you!
(note that the division between traditions is somewhat arbitrary, so check out our other pages too for more great meditation groups!)
Beginner's Zen Meditation and Fundamentals of Buddhism Course
Starts APRIL 15, Tuesdays at 7pm, Spring 2025
Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Chan (Zen) meditation center and the Atlanta branch of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. Chan Buddhism teaches people to attain inner peace through meditation and uncover the inherent wisdom within. This Beginner's course covers calming meditation, mindfulness practice, and introductory Buddhist concepts such as karma and the Four Noble Truths. It is a prerequisite for the Intermediate, Advanced, and Sutra Study courses, as well as attending Zen meditation retreats, at Dharma Jewel Monastery. Intermediate class covers loving-kindness meditation and Mahayana topics such as The Six Paramitas; Advanced class covers Middle Way Reality Zen meditation method and Zen philosophy.
Offered free of charge and separately in English and in Chinese.
Dharma Jewel Monastery: Atlanta Zen Buddhism Center
www.dharmajewel.us
2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30345
Starts APRIL 15, Tuesdays at 7pm, Spring 2025
Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Chan (Zen) meditation center and the Atlanta branch of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. Chan Buddhism teaches people to attain inner peace through meditation and uncover the inherent wisdom within. This Beginner's course covers calming meditation, mindfulness practice, and introductory Buddhist concepts such as karma and the Four Noble Truths. It is a prerequisite for the Intermediate, Advanced, and Sutra Study courses, as well as attending Zen meditation retreats, at Dharma Jewel Monastery. Intermediate class covers loving-kindness meditation and Mahayana topics such as The Six Paramitas; Advanced class covers Middle Way Reality Zen meditation method and Zen philosophy.
Offered free of charge and separately in English and in Chinese.
Dharma Jewel Monastery: Atlanta Zen Buddhism Center
www.dharmajewel.us
2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30345
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Jun Dung Sa Temple Zen Meditation Group (English)
Check with temple for schedule All welcome for mindful sitting meditation and small group Zen discussion. Entrance on the left side (past the main doors) . Newcomers suggested arrive a few minutes early for brief instructions. We start with a short Heart Sutra chanting and stretching exercise / prostration , then 30 minutes quiet sitting meditation, followed by small group discussion on Zen topics. Join any week. Jun Dung Sa Temple 900 Beaver Ruin Rd, Lilburn GA 30047 http://www.atlantajundungsa.org/ |
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Buddhanara Temple Zen Meditation Group (English)
Saturdays at 9am - 10:30am (IN PERSON only) Sitting and walking meditation 9 - 10:30am followed by tea, alongside the lakefront view. Korean Zen Temple in Gwinnett County near Mall of Georgia Buddhanara Temple 2197 Gravel Springs Rd, Buford GA 30519 http://www.buddhanara.net/ |
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Dharma Jewel Monastery Zen Meditation Classes
- Nine different weekly Zen meditation classes, including for Children and Families, beginners to advanced, in English and in Chinese - Monthly Zen meditation retreats (open to students of Dharma Jewel's meditation classes only) - Monthly chanting ceremonies (bilingual Chinese/English, all are welcome) - Weekly Diamond Sutra chanting (Sundays at 2pm except when Ceremonies are held in the morning) - Vegetarian Cooking Classes and Veggie Festival Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Chan (Zen) meditation center and the Atlanta branch of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. Chan Buddhism teaches people to attain inner peace through meditation and uncover the inherent wisdom within. Newcomers can start with the weekly 5-month Beginner's Meditation and Buddhism course. All activities are offered free of charge. Dharma Jewel Monastery: Atlanta Zen Buddhism Center 2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30345 www.dharmajewel.us |
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Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association Atlanta Zen Retreats
Sundays: Half-day Zen retreats (stretches and quiet sitting) most Sundays Intensive residential retreats (weekend to 7 and 10 days) are offered several times throughout the year with visiting monastics from Chan Meditation Center in New York and Dharma Drum associations worldwide. DDMBA Atlanta Meditation Center www.ddmbaatlanta.com Visit Florida and New York branch websites for Zoom links to online talks www.tallahasseechan.org and www.chancenter.org |
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Emory Buddhist Club Guided Meditation
for Emory University students, faculty, staff, and affiliates Emory Buddhist Club meets every week in Cannon Chapel on the Emory University campus for guided meditation, talk, and tea. Teachers rotate but in general are monastics from the community. www.buddhistclub.org |
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Atlanta Soto Zen Center
1167C Zonolite Place, Atlanta GA 30306
aszc.org
Part of the Silent Thunder Order group of lay-led Zen meditation centers, ASZC hosts beginner's meditation on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm.
1167C Zonolite Place, Atlanta GA 30306
aszc.org
Part of the Silent Thunder Order group of lay-led Zen meditation centers, ASZC hosts beginner's meditation on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm.
Red Clay Sangha
3315 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
redclaysangha.org
Red Clay Zen Sangha is a community of non-sectarian Buddhists who find meaning, support and presence in the celebration of coming together to share our practice, study, successes and difficulties in living as twenty-first century lay American Buddhists.
Meets Sunday mornings for three 25 minute sitting periods followed by a discussion
3315 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
redclaysangha.org
Red Clay Zen Sangha is a community of non-sectarian Buddhists who find meaning, support and presence in the celebration of coming together to share our practice, study, successes and difficulties in living as twenty-first century lay American Buddhists.
Meets Sunday mornings for three 25 minute sitting periods followed by a discussion
Zen is not about blind belief; rather it entails penetrating delusions to understand cause and effect and realizing 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.
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 - Sunday morning.
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 - Sunday morning.
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
Established in 2013. Join us for our 12th annual summer camp April 10 - 13 2025
at Covington GA!
www.georgiabuddhistcamp.com
Come for a family-friendly fun time in the woods and make friends and enjoy Dharma in nature
Established in 2013. Join us for our 12th annual summer camp April 10 - 13 2025
at Covington 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
Live radio -- DharmaRadio.org
Zen Meditation Centers in Atlanta
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Still not sure where to start? Try out several groups...
Not in Atlanta? Check out some other links: Zen Meditation Classes around the US |
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism