A very serene and beautiful place that is just a ten minute ride up the mountain from Woodstock's…read morecenter. The peace and quiet were immediately noticeable upon walking up to the grounds. Flags hung from the trees, peaceful walking paths surrounded the grounds, and we were welcomed with open arms. A bookstore is available for you to purchase any and all information related to Tibetan Buddhism. The shrine was beautiful and breathtaking. A retreat was taking place, but we were given permission to visit the shrine as they were on break. We were so appreciative and grateful for that opportunity. We were immensely interested in learning what takes place at the shrine, as well as more about Buddhism in general. A very serene and fascinating experience!

Nestled up in the Catskill Mountains houses Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD for short) Thank the…read moregood Lord for 3 letter acronyms. This is a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monastery offering a peaceful retreat from daily life. The monastery is not huge as compared to others I have visited in the past, but the architecture and colorful interior designs make it a perfect place to find inner peace, meditation and self reflection. I can't comment on the teachings or programs they offer since I'm not a practitioner, but there is a book store where visitors can purchase books to educate in the monastery teachings and beliefs. They also sell T-shirts, hoodies and sculptures. I passed a kitchen with a huge dining area but these are reserved for people who are participating in spiritual retreats and other programs offered here. The resident monks walking around are quiet, and in their own silence give off a profound welcoming if that makes any sense. Remember, you don't need to be a believer or practitioner to enjoy the monastery. After leaving here you will feel a sense of calm and as silly as it may sound a sense of enlightening and empowerment. Definitely worth the visit when you're in the Woodstock area.

I love this wonderful Tibetan Center in Kingston, New York! It's an amazing place to learn about…read moreTibetan culture and Buddhism. Venerable Yeshi Rabgyal is an amazing guide. The pujas, Sunday classes, and meditations are wonderful. The gift store has many unique items from Katmandu, Nepal, and plenty of incense and other gifts. I would highly recommend a visit!

From the owner: Tashi Kyil Tibetan Buddhist Institute (TKTBI) seeks to advance the teachings and practices of…read moreTibetan Buddhism in accordance with the key commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. TKTBI is dedicated to fostering spiritual values, including kindness and compassion, and promoting the integration of these principles into everyday life. TKTBI is committed to providing education and guidance to its members and the wider community, fostering understanding and appreciation of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and practices. Through educational initiatives, TKTBI seeks to empower individuals to cultivate inner wisdom and compassion, thereby contributing to the well-being of society. In addition to its educational mission, TKTBI is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage of Tibet and the Tashi Kyil Monastery in Dehradun, India. By safeguarding and celebrating the rich traditions, arts, and customs of Tibetan culture and the Tashi Kyil through TKTBI’s Tibetan Center in Kingston, New York, TKTBI aims to promote cultural diversity and mutual understanding among communities. TKTBI also strives to contribute to the promotion of world peace through the practice and dissemination of Tibetan Buddhist teachings on non-violence, compassion, and interdependence. By fostering dialogue, cooperation, and understanding among individuals and communities, TKTBI seeks to create a more harmonious and compassionate world.

Very beautiful and serene temple. The property is large and peaceful. It is free to come here and…read moreyou're welcome to walk around the entire territory. Would highly recommend making a stop here if you're in the neighborhood.

Such a gem off the beaten path! I am appreciative they allow visitors to peruse the grounds and…read moretheir beautiful buildings. Very pretty landscape, so quiet and peaceful. I visited here after visiting the FDR home and library in Hyde Park. This little piece of paradise is free to enter. Each temple is unique and full of beautiful Buddhist figures. Please wear socks and be prepared to remove shoes upon entering each individual building. I enjoyed the restful escape offered by this literal Buddhist retreat. It has inspired me to learn more about their practices. And the drive along the backroads of the Catskills during the fall was one of the prettiest I've ever taken!

It's a beautiful place for peace and prayer . The people who work there are kind . They have free…read morebooks to guide you through Buddhism . I love it here .

Very beautiful and serene palace perfect for quiet walk. Even for a non Buddhist like myself one…read morecan find something to appreciate in this place. We came on a rainy overcast day & not even that can take the beauty from this place. There are religious sculpture lining the entrance, a big buddha on the main hall, free books on buddhism, & vegetarian lunch on the weekends you can have for a minimal price. Love, love this place. Will come back on the fall to bring the rest of my family.

Sometimes you must get away from the chaos to hear the sound of your soul…read more This monastery is in the tradition of the teachings of the famous Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. I heard Thay speak almost ten years ago when I was in college on "mindful eating," and his teachings reverberated loudly with my beliefs. Life got busy and only recently have I found my way back to his teachings. I came here for a young adult Spring retreat and it has been one of the best experiences as of late. Despite having to wake up at 5:30 every morning for sitting meditation, I felt extremely rejuvenated and centered after spending a whole week here. If you spend time here (as in overnight), be prepared to eat vegan meals (which are very yummy and most of the dishes have an Vietnamese/Asian twist) and to have modest dorm-style accommodations. We were able to enjoy morning sitting meditations, dharma talks and discouses (Buddha's teachings), walking meditation, dharma sharing and deep relaxation. One of the things I enjoyed most about this retreat was "mindful eating." All meals are eaten in silence and you get to really think about food. Because I wasn't talking or distracted, I could truly taste my food and concentrate on it. I found myself eating less, but feeling more satisfied. Even though I didn't exercise as much at the monastery, I managed to shed a few pounds and I attribute it to the "mindful eating." You may think this is all hoky poky, but the New York Times recently did an article on "mindful eating," so there is some clout to what I am saying here. The monastery is also open on Thursdays and Sundays for "A Day of Mindfulness." So if the city and life is getting to you, this is a perfect getaway to get in touch with yourself and to feel more calm and relaxed. I leave you with this beautiful quote by Thay and hope you get to experience Blue Cliff for yourself! "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

I'm a NYC resident and BCM has become my home away from home where I go to unplug and visit myself…read more Words can't describe the experience of living even for a short time among people (the sisters and brothers) who are 100% committed to their belief in the practices of mindfulness, meditation and veganism and living it 365 days a year. "Healing," "transformational" come to mind. It's an oasis of sanity where the monastic residents (and many of the visitors) "walk the talk."

The monastery was founded by Venerable Lama Norhla under the direction of Kalu Rinpoche and the…read moreKarmapa. I was one of his first students and an early trustee, when the building you see now was just a two space garage waiting to be developed. The buildings were developed mostly by Lama Norhla, his students and practitioners. This monastery was the first in the US, back in 1980 or so, to carry through the authentic three year retreat of Tibetan Buddhism by which a person can become a Lama. A number of Lamas now well known went through the first three year retreat here. You will find the authentic holders of Tibetan Buddhism here. You can not find a more complete monastery, anywhere. This is well worth all efforts to visit and to do a retreat. You will discover the roots of what is now called mindfulness, began here in this tradition. And there is as well so much more...... Mindfulness and Compassion.

Welcoming, Peaceful, a respite from the clanging of the world... love the little shrine room down…read moreby the river especially...

I came to cultivate my Buddha mind! What a thrill…read more Kadam Donna and Gen Chogyop teachings " Source of Happiness & Goodness"! I love the teachings, the couscous and property is absolutely blissful!!!

Peaceful and inspiring, the Kadampa Temple is one of the most beautiful meditation spaces in the…read moreUnited States. There are plenty of walking paths and the cafe (and coffee) is excellent and the people there are very friendly and welcoming. I drove 6 hours from Boston to visit and it was definitely worth the trip. Highly recommended!!

Am here for a residency period. Everyone is super nice and I'm extremely grateful for their…read morepatience and willingness to teach me. Would recommend to anyone.

From the owner: The Zen Studies Society is a Buddhist community dedicated to realizing and actualizing our true…read morenature. Cultivating an atmosphere of respect, harmony, deep insight, and boundless compassion, we offer the simple yet profound teachings and practice of Zen Buddhism at our mountain monastery and our city temple under the auspices of ZSS. Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monastery located on the banks of the highest lake in the Catskills amid 1,400 acres of forest and meadows in the Catskill Mountains Preserve, Dai Bosatsu Zendo offers an inspiring setting for Zen practice. T. Here they are given the opportunity to actualize realization and understanding through deep, introspective inquiry.