Chung Tai Zen Center Of Sunnyvale

In 1987, the Grand Master Wei Chueh built Lin Quan (“Spiritual Spring”) Monastery in response to his disciples’ needs for a place of spiritual cultivation and refuge. Soon it became apparent that, in this small mountain monastery, a rare Buddhist master and great teacher has emerged. With an inimitable aura of calmness, a penetrating mind, and the ability to clearly elucidate the profound wisdom of the Buddha, the Grand Master was instrumental in revitalizing Chan (Zen) Buddhism in Taiwan. Soon Lin Quan Monastery was too small to accommodate the ever-increasing number of followers eager for his teaching.

In the Grand Master’s compassionate vow to provide a complete environment for all who wish to learn the Buddha Dharma, the design of Chung Tai Chan Monastery began in 1992. After three years of planning and seven years of construction, under the Grand Master’s leadership and the devotion and generous support of disciples and friends, this landmark building opened its doors on September 1, 2001, initiating a new era for the propagation of Buddhism at Chung Tai.

The Zen Center offers continuing series of weekly classes of different levels, starting every four months. Classes are conducted in both English and Chinese. Anyone interested can enroll, progressing from the beginning Zen meditation methods and fundamental principles to advanced sutra studies.Each class meets for about two hours, consisting of meditation practice in the first hour and a lecture on Buddhist teachings in the second hour.

Abbot of Chung Tai, Ven. Master JianDeng

In May of 2005, the Grand Master passed on the abbotship of Chung Tai to his disciple Jian Deng. Ven. Master JianDeng will follow the Grand Master’s compassion and teaching in leading the monastic and lay disciples of Chung Tai. By building and expanding on the firm foundation already in place, Chung Tai will continue its outreach in spreading the bodhisattva way with diligence and perseverance.

The Chung Tai Tradition

The Buddha Dharma is vast and deep and offers many possible paths. To properly bring into focus one’s spiritual practice, Grand Master WeiChueh applies these three concepts: “Three Links of Cultivation,” The Four Tenets of Chung Tai,” and “The Five Approaches of Propagation Modern Buddhism.

Three Links of Cultivation—A Principle for Complete Spiritual Practice

Integration of three disciplines—cultivation of merit, scriptural understanding, and meditation—is Chung Tai’s guiding principle for a well-rounded Buddhist practice, each being an inseparable link that complements and reinforces the other two links. Cultivating merits involves performing good deeds and service to the monastery and to the public (dana). Diligent study of the Dharma establishes right views and insight. Meditation calms and clears the mind. Integration of the three disciplines ensures proper progress on the path to Buddhahood.