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Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center

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Worcester, United States

worcesterzen.org
Buddhist temple· Meditation instructor· Retreat center· Community center· Religious organization

Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center Reviews | Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars (6 reviews)

Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center is located in Worcester, United States on 1030 Pleasant St. Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center is rated 4.6 out of 5 in the category buddhist temple in United States.

Address

1030 Pleasant St

Phone

+1 5083047165

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park

Open hours

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G

Griffin

Serious meditators beware. This place was not conductive to dharma practice in the least. If you're looking to deepen your zazen, go somewhere else, as this place has no actual interest in zazen. Their only concern at this place is choreography and how well you can conform to their rules and rituals. During almost every period of zazen, they hand around a stick, which you are expected to pass around, the periods are extremely short, they don't allow people to sit through kinhin if they're able. These conditions alone would be a good reason to stay away if you are looking to deepen your zazen. On top of this, however, dokusan interviews do not involve meaningful guidance and the teachers will not direct the conversation towards inquiring about the quality of your zazen and the state of your mind. They will, however, solely concern themselves with whether you are practicing the way they want you to, doing as you are told, having the views they have, and enabling their hierarchy. This place also has some serious institutional problems with hierarchy and inequality of expectations. The people who have been here for a while will regularly make jokes and chat with each other, even in the zendo, but if a newcomer follows suit, they will be swiftly shut down. The place is run like a pecking order, where the longer you've tolerated their nonsense, the more you can get away with. The priests enable this and exemplify it, frequently doing things that they turn around and correct you for, such as cracking jokes and stepping out of the kinhin line. I found the whole thing to be hypocritical and when I tried to mention it to the teachers they tried to cover it up and justify it saying \everyone has to play different roles\. So, just know, if you come here, you are expected to play the role of obedient, unquestioning dolt who tolerates this pecking order and hypocrisy.

U

usejustonce

Fantastic temple filled with welcoming people and a generally inviting and pleasant atmosphere. I had my first experience there tonight and I will surely be back again! Well worth the drive! - Bruce

M

Michael Fieleke

I love Boundless Way Temple. The community is kind, the practice is strong, and the teachers are encouraging and insightful. Can't recommend the Temple strongly enough.

J

Jason Smith

Its surprising that the people who actually work at the temple are so mean. There's a lady (Melissa or Marissa) who works at the reception & she was extremely rude. People go there to find peace but its just another corporate organization which has nothing to do with spirituality

C

Corwyn Miyagishima

Truly my second home, where everybody (including first-time visitors) is treated like family. Regular meditation practice, Buddhism workshops, meditation retreats, even a sculpture garden (featuring local artists) in the summertime, they do it all, and always with warmth, love, and compassion for All Beings.

D

David Maciewski

A welcoming and open community(Sangha) to support engaging in Zen practice and living the Buddha way. Non- traditional in some respects, but also true to a lineage.

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