Empty Cloud — Local services in West Orange

I have spent several years coming here on and off, long enough to observe the abbot closely.

The abbot’s teaching has serious flaws. His intellect is sharp, but his metta is weak. Over time his way has drifted far from the Buddha’s middle way. What he offers is heavy emotional repression and harsh asceticism, not the balanced path of the early teachings.

In his personal dealings with others, there is often a trace of anger in his eyes, whether he realizes it or not. His compassion is conditional: if you admire him, he shows it; if not, he withholds it. Many decisions that appear spontaneous are, in fact, deliberately calculated, yet he will present them as if they were entirely your choice.

A short stay here may still be useful, but I would not advise anyone to follow him long‑term. A true teacher embodies the Dhamma with compassion as well as wisdom; his conduct does not...

Venerables Suddhaso and Soma have done a wonderful job building this diverse and welcoming community for Buddhist practice. Retreats are offered without charge and they sustain themselves solely on donations (as has been the practice of monastics since the time of the Buddha). Retreatants generally do a very short hour long period of work daily during retreats for the upkeep of the center (eg. gardening, cleaning, or kitchen help).

I was fortunate to do a 7-day retreat with the visiting Australian Theravadan monk Venerable Sujato at the former Rockaway location and I will always (and often do) recall this experience with a big smile. To have an affordable (free) and well run center for practice with so many wonderful monastics of different traditions in the NYC area...

Empty Cloud is an American Buddhist temple. The community members are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The monastics appear to be of Theravada tradition, but the temple overall doesn't seem very sectarian. It's a very good place for anyone to learn basic Buddhism or just join...