Who are we?
Great Dharma Chan Monastery is a not-for-profit organization. We offer free Buddhist meditation classes, retreats, workshops, events and ceremonies to everyone across all walks of life. Our goal is to help people seek inner calm in an ever changing, busy world.
The Buddha said “The world is pure when our mind is pure.” Through the wisdom of Buddha’s teachings (the Dharma), we learn to live a life of peace, joy and fulfilment. Our focus is on using compassion, wisdom teachings and meditative practices to transform our habitual, daily tendencies on the path of enlightenment so as to make the world a happier place.
All our activities are offered free of charge and their operations solely rely on the generous contribution of our supporters. If you would like to make a contribution, we welcome you to discuss with us.
Why make a contribution?
In Buddhism, giving not only benefits others, but also ourselves.
The act of giving (Dana) is the practice of cultivating generosity and charity. This important practice on the path to enlightenment involves letting go of the false-self (ego)—that is, doing so without seeking anything in return. Giving can take many forms, including donations and volunteering with your time, effort or skills. All of these can be offered to support the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
In doing so, we can learn to let go of what we hold dear to us and free ourselves from our worries and attachments. With each act of giving, we move one step closer to enlightenment, gradually realizing our true nature and pure mind. In addition, we are able to cultivate correct understanding as well as our respect for others all of which can also inspire others to practice this altruistic act with us together.
How can you support the Sangha?
In Buddhist scripture, it is said: “the summer retreat is the essential element for Buddhism to exist in this world.” Remaining true to the established Buddhist system, our head monastery in Taiwan, Chung Tai Chan Monastery, along with all of its branches, holds a summer retreat every year. For three months—from 15 April to 15 July of the lunar calendar—all Sangha members in the monastery participate in the summer retreat, and cultivate diligently in line with the Buddha’s teaching.
According to The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, “The Buddha said three things in particular bring genuine reward: Giving brings good wealth, upholding precepts begets various wholesome benefits, and practicing Samadhi leads to liberation.” Summer retreat provides a great opportunity to support the Sangha and practice giving. We sincerely encourage everyone to seize this opportunity to support the monastics in making an offering, thereby cultivating great merits for themselves. Donations through Great Dharma Chan Monastery will be transferred to Chung Tai Chan Monastery and Chung Tai Shan Buddhist Foundation.
1 / Zelle
Online banking recipient: greatdharma6@gmail.com (Chung Tai Chan Monastery USA)
Please note with your purpose, e.g., lamp offering, general offering, and ceremony etc.
Once you have completed the Zelle donation, please email us for further contact and receipt emailing etc.
2 / Venmo
For Venmo donations, please send your donation to "@CTCMUSA" (Chung Tai Chan Monastery USA)
3 / Personal Check
Write a check payable to “Chung Tai Chan Monastery USA”and mail it by post to the Zen Center at 6417 S Boulder Road., Boulder, CO 80303. You may also give it in person at the Zen Center. Either way, a receipt will be mailed or handed to you promptly.
4 / Electronic Payment via Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay System
A convenient way to make donations is using your bank’s online banking “Bill Pay” service. Add “Chung Tai Chan Monastery USA” as a payee, enter the aforementioned mailing address, and schedule the payment. You can set up an automatic recurring payment plan or one-time only. Include a note/memo where possible that this is a donation.
Online Bill Pay is usually free to the bank’s customers and also free to the recipient of the funds. This means the Monastery will receive 100% of the amount you donate without handling fees.