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November 2025 by nazila azim
The best place to practice mindfulness and meditation and being better version of yourself.
I highly recommend it.
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September 2025 by Karina Neves
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 meditation 🧘♀️🤍
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July 2024 by VW
Don’t want to criticize a temple/zen center but I would not go back. I’ll leave it at that.
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July 2024 by Le Chang
I've had an incredibly positive experience at the Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston. They offer free meditation classes at different levels in both Chinese and English, making it accessible for everyone. The Shi Fus are exceptionally compassionate, wise, and very patient when answering questions, providing invaluable guidance throughout the meditation practice. I am deeply grateful for their help and highly recommend this Zen center to anyone seeking mindfulness and inner peace.
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June 2024 by Lan-Phuong Vu-Yu
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.
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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 for 2 years.
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May 2024 by Donsworth III Philpott
Came to learn mediation to help with my anxiety and stress and found a new design for living. A paradigm shift is the best way to describe my experience.
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April 2024 by Madison Trahan
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 better life.
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March 2024 by Chen Huang
Solemn and pure!
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February 2024 by Ayomi “Yomi” Agboola
This is NOT a Place for SILENT Retreat so Goggle NEEDS to change this false advertisement for them. They should NOT appear on the list when searching strictly for SILENT RETREAT
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August 2023 by Caden Hill
Amazing monasteryAmazing meditation practice, and comprehension of the dharma.Very wonderful
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May 2023 by Nan
Great meditation classes, free and delicious food.
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April 2023 by Jay Kal
Great meditation experience!
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March 2023 by Yellow Lotus
We find ourselves very peaceful every time coming here. Thank YOUs!
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March 2023 by Mika B
I was so lucky to find Chung Tai Zen Center, friendly place, I meet friends, different gastronomy ?. And the more important healing ❤️ my soul.Amituofo ?
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March 2022 by Shaila Zaman
We got the best teaching of our life from Shifu. In every step and experience in life we can reflect his lessons.Grateful to this organization and every person contributing their time here.
