By Lisa Carolin
The Triple Crane Monastery in Lyndon Township welcomes the public to visit its 7667 Werkner Road location to learn about Buddhist philosophy and teachings as well as meditation.
Jim Hung is the chairman of the board of HuaYen Buddhist Community North America that runs the monastery. It’s a nonprofit religious organization that practices and promotes American Buddhism in the U.S.
The organization has three main chapters in North America-in Toronto, Canada, in Chicago and in Ann Arbor.
“Chelsea is so perfectly located at the center point of these three chapters, and the real estate price is what we can afford,” says Hung about why the Lyndon Township location was chosen. “People in the area are nice and friendly.”
Hung says that American Buddhism is different than Chinese Buddhism, Indian Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, as well as other forms of the religion.
“What we’re trying to achieve is to translate Buddha’s teachings into pure spiritual language rather than religious language, and it must be wrapped with local culture because spiritual practice cannot stay away from daily living,” says Hung.
Triple Crane Monastery is open seven days a week to the public. All the people staying there are volunteers and Buddhist Nuns, whom Hung says have limited English skills.
Currently the only classes offered at the Monastery are in meditation. Hung says they hope to add more classes but at present language issues and limited resources are a constraint.
The campus of the monastery has three buildings and sits on a 10-acre wooded property. There is Dharma Hall, which can accommodate up to 250 people and offers meeting rooms, classrooms and a large dining hall and kitchen. There is also a residence hall and a meditation hall used for group meditation and small classes.
The Triple Crane Monastery has a website now under construction. In the meantime, you can learn more by emailing [email protected].
Hung invites anyone interested in learning more about the monastery and classes to stop by the Monastery anytime.
