Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston — Attraction in Houston

I have been coming to the Zen Center off and on for several years. I just restarted after they closed for Covid.

Abbott and Shifu Jian Tan, along with the other Shifus, are welcoming, kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and joyful. The Teachers' Assistants are also very kind and welcoming, and will help orient you in your journey. The community of folks who attend the free meditation classes are so wonderful, as we are all there trying to better ourselves and supporting one another in the process.

When I started, I'd never attended a meditation class or dharma talk before; I was a complete beginner, and I fit right in. I love that they split the classes, so if you just want to go for meditation because dharma talks aren't your thing, you can do that. However, I highly recommend staying for the dharma talks, as Shifu Jian Tan is a wealth of knowledge that we are lucky to be able to learn from.

The center itself is unassuming from the outside, but the inside feels like pure peace; there is always tea brewed, the smell of incense is strong, and the meditation hall is stunning. They also offer free vegetarian meals and snacks on the day of meditation class.

In addition to their various levels of meditation and dharma classes, they host lots of amazing ceremonies, half-day retreats, silent meditation retreats, and even a chance to visit the home monastery in Taiwan.

If you're looking for a way to invite some peace into your life, this is the place for you. Please don't be afraid to call or even walk in if you have questions; the TAs and Shifus are ready to help you find your way to a...

Went with my mom and daughter last weekend for the first beginner meditation class. They do these Saturday classes for free, open to the public. We ended up showing up late and unprepared and I was super nervous, having never done anything like this before.

The ladies at the entrance were so friendly and welcoming and immediately put us at ease while directing us.

The class was amazing too. Sifu started it by having us all introduce ourselves and invited some of the long-time students to share their stories. During the class, he explained everything in detail and was very patient and just had a super calming presence overall. After the class, they provided a delicious vegetarian lunch, also free of charge, and explained the ettiquette there too (take what you need, no food waste, wash your own bowl after).

Very grateful to have found this temple, and I'm excited to go back this weekend! 10/10 recommend to anyone interested in learning...

Update: Sorry. My information and experience is from Pre-Covid. There have been changes since Covid. I read on their website that there is monthly half day and 1-day meditation retreats. ——— I saw a comment about Chung Tai Zen not having SILENT retreat. Actually, they do. However, it’s only twice a year and I forget whether it’s 1-2 weeks long. And you have to sign up ahead of time.

As for everyday, there are classes of different levels of meditation, different levels of buddhist teachings, etc.. on certain weekdays and weekends. Please go to the website for more information or give them a call. The meditation classes which is followed with comments on buddhist perspectives on different aspects of life’s chaos gave me new insight and thereafter peace and calmness. I’m glad to have tried it out...