Zen Meditation Class in Atlanta, AtlantaZen.org

Dharma Jewel Monastery invites you to discover yourself through Zen meditation:

Guided Meditation Sessions, open to all
Sundays at 10am in 2026: 1/4, 1/18, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/19

Everyone is welcome for these one hour beginner's open guided meditation sessions - come for one or all of the sits! Newcomers are especially invited. Guided meditation is led by a Zen Buddhist nun in English. These are open to all including beginners, no experience necessary.
Please wear comfortable, modest clothing and socks.

plus more events:

Introduction to Zen Meditation Course
Wednesdays at 7pm, starting January 14, 2026
Separately in English and in Chinese -
All are invited! The course is weekly for four months and is a sequential, cumulative class. Meditation methods include Breath Counting, Mindfulness of the Breath, Loving-Kindness Meditation. Lecture topics include Introduction to Buddhism, Mindfulness, Karma, Causality & the Four Noble Truths. Completion of the Beginner's course allows progression to the next level of classes and eventually to the sutra study group. Participation in this class is a prerequisite for our monthly Zen meditation retreats and Kung Fu Zen Martial Arts classes.
Register today on our website!

Little Jewel Children's Meditation
Sundays at 10am starting Feb 1, 2026
Children's class will be on weekends and includes story-telling, arts and crafts, and fun games. Appropriate for ages around 5 - 12. Free, but please register in advance.

Where can we find peace of mind and true happiness? Zen meditation helps us attain an unbiased perception of reality. The key is to reflect inwardly. In this way, we can reach a clearer understanding of life’s difficulties with true wisdom and peace of mind as the result.

Register now at
www.dharmajewel.us
or by phone at 770-939-5008 , or drop by in person!
2550 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta GA 30345

More Events at Dharma Jewel Monastery:

Check out Buddhist ceremonies on Sunday mornings each month, all are welcome to experience this traditional Chinese chanting with English translation, bilingual service, 9:15am - 12pm followed by vegetarian lunch:
Next : Jan 25, 2026

Dharma Jewel Veggie Fest!
Enjoy free vegetarian food and learn about compassion in action. Vegetarian Cooking Classes are offered monthly, please contact Dharma Jewel Monastery to register. TBD

More groups at http://www.atlantazen.org/

Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Buddhist temple in Atlanta practicing in the Zen lineage as part of the family of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. All events at Dharma Jewel are free and offered at no charge.

Dharma Jewel Monastery hosts Atlanta's guided Zen meditation and semester long fundamental concepts of Buddhism class - the Spring 2026 course is every Wednesday evening at 7pm starting January 14th! Everyone is invited to attend. This sequential 20-week course includes both mindfulness practice (guided meditation session) and Buddhist concepts lecture.

Register now at
www.dharmajewel.us (http://dharmajewel.us/)

or by phone at 770-939-5008 , or drop by in person!

Separate children's class will be on Sundays at 10am.
Separate classes in Chinese as well.

This will be our 40th session of the sequential weekly course in Atlanta, and it runs for 20 weeks!

In addition, you can join us once a month for Buddhist ceremonies -- next one is January 25, from 9:15am - 12:15pm, with free vegetarian lunch afterwards. Everyone is invited for these positive chanting experiences - mindful recitation of the liturgy and sutras, bilingual Chinese/English.

Plus, select Sundays are open guided meditation hour at 10am. Anyone is welcome to drop in any week to try meditation or practice together in a group! 10/26, 11/2, 11/16 2025

Vegetarian cooking classes are also offered at no charge every month. Sign up directly with the temple for the next one! RSVP is required for these to reserve your spot.

Finally, we also have meditation retreats once a month as well as two-day and longer retreats this summer, but those are only open to people who have taken our meditation class -- so another great reason to sign up!

http://www.atlantazen.org

Where can we find peace of mind and true happiness? Zen meditation helps us attain an unbiased perception of reality. The key is to reflect inwardly. In this way, we can reach a clearer understanding of life’s difficulties with true wisdom and peace of mind as the result. All classes are free and open to the public. We are supported by your generous donations.

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What makes meditation classes at Dharma Jewel Monastery a superb experience?

• Qualified Teachers: Taught by dedicated fully-ordained monastics who devote their entire lives to authentic Zen practices
• Recognized Buddhist lineage: Our team of experienced monastics have undergone years of rigorous practice (and are still doing so) as part of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, a reputable international group with around 100 meditation centers around the world upholding the original teachings of the Buddha
• Practice and Learn: Structured, twenty consecutive week class includes both meditation practice as well as high-quality prepared lectures to cultivate understanding
• Wisdom: Our course goes beyond just relaxation, and also teaches in a clear way the fundamentals of timeless Buddhist philosophy as applicable to modern life
• Relax. Focus. Be Aware. : Welcome and relaxing environment in a clean and large meditation hall
• Open to everyone, including those with no prior experience or background in meditation. And you don't even have to be Buddhist to meditate with us!
• Completion of this introductory course allows attendance at our more advanced meditation courses and sutra study. Participation in meditation retreats is only open to those who have taken our courses.
• Free. There is no charge to attend any event at our monastery. We are supported by your voluntary donations. No catch, no gimmicks.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact us. Register by phone, in person, or online today, and see you soon!

www.DharmaJewel.US (http://www.dharmajewel.us)

Can't wait? Check out more events at AtlantaZen.org

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Dharma Jewel Monastery will hold a mindful chanting Sunday Service - Gratitude Liang Huang Repentance Ceremony on January 25, 2026 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. This Chinese Buddhist ceremony reminds us to purify our mind and thus deepen our compassion and wisdom within. We sincerely invite everyone to attend this event - chanting of the liturgy is in Mandarin, with English transliteration and translation available. You can think of it as a mindful recitation meditation, or just come enjoy the fascinating experience and positive vibes! There may be kneeling, bowing, prostration, and offerings - you are welcome to participate as much as you comfortable with, or remain seated and just watch.

Gratitude Liang Huang Jeweled Repentance
Approximate Schedule:

9:15am: Seating
9:30am: Ceremony begins; Lamp Offering
9:50am: Chanting a Buddhist Text (Sutra)
10:50am: Dharma Talk (Bilingual English/Chinese)
11:30am: Grand Meal Offering before the Buddhas / Blessing & Memorial Service
Vegetarian Lunch

There is also Diamond Sutra chanting service on many Sundays open to all, see website or temple for details.

Also at Dharma Jewel:

--> Beginner's Meditation Class: Free 5-month consecutive weekly course with guided meditation practice and introduction to Buddhism lectures. Come learn about Zen meditation! Class is every Wednesday at 7pm starting January 14, 2026 --> you can still join even if you missed the first couple classes!
--> Children's class: many Sundays at 10am (register in advance)!
--> Open drop-in one hour guided meditation, select Sundays at 10am, all welcome any week: 11/16/2025, TBD 2026
--> Vegetarian Cooking Classes, register directly with Dharma Jewel Monastery

All events are offered at no charge.

Dharma Jewel Monastery
2550 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345.
Phone: 770-939-5008
http://www.dharmajewel.us
Atlanta branch of Chung Tai Chan Monastery (Zen Center) in Taiwan

More about Chinese Buddhist ceremonies here:
https://dharmajewel.us/ceremony-introduction/

The sutra (liturgy) recited varies, previous ceremonies include:

The Sutra On The Original Vows And Merits Of The Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata (Medicine Buddha Sutra)

More Information about the Diamond Sutra (Buddhist text)
"All conditioned phenomena
Are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow,
Like dew or a flash of lightning;
Thus we shall perceive them."

The Diamond Sutra is a teaching pointing at the wisdom of understanding ultimate reality. Buddhism is rooted in cause and effect, and thus is ultimately very methodical in understanding suffering and how to alleviate it. You can find talks on Mahayana Buddhist texts from Buddhist Text Translation Society at:

http://www.buddhisttexts.org
and
http://www.cttbusa.org/

The actual Medicine Buddha sutra text translated into English is here by Chung Tai Zen Center:

http://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/wiki/dharma-gems/sutras-and-gathas/

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Dharma Jewel Monastery invites you to discover yourself through Zen meditation:

Beginner's Meditation Class will be Wednesdays at 7pm, starting January 14, 2026, weekly for 20 weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice guided mindfulness meditation and learn the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and how to cultivate compassion, wisdom and happiness. Free, like all events at Dharma Jewel are!

Open Guided Zen Meditation Sessions on Sundays at 10am - everyone is welcome to drop in any week, newcomers are invited!
2026 Dates: 1/4, 1/18, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/19
Please arrive early, and wear socks and modest attire.

Children's Mindfulness class will be on many Sundays at 10am and includes story-telling, arts and crafts, and fun games. Parents please attend with your children, great for the entire family. Appropriate for ages around 5 - 12. Starts February 1, 2026! Please register in advance on our website or drop by the temple.

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The 2026 adult Beginner's Meditation Course is Wednesdays at 7pm starting January 14, 2026. The course is weekly for four months and is a sequential, cumulative class. Meditation methods include Breath Counting, Mindfulness of the Breath, Loving-Kindness Meditation. Lecture topics include Introduction to Buddhism, Mindfulness, Karma, Causality & the Four Noble Truths. Completion of the Beginner's course allows progression to the next level of classes and eventually to the sutra study group.

Also, DJM hosts Buddhists ceremonies monthly on Sunday mornings, all are welcome to experience this traditional Chinese chanting mindfulness practice with English translation, 9:15am - 12pm followed by free vegetarian lunch:
Next: Jan 25 and Feb 22, 2026

Vegetarian Cooking Classes - check with temple for latest schedule!

Only meditation class students are eligible to participate in our monthly 1 and 2 day Zen Meditation Retreats and Zen Kung-Fu Martial Arts classes.

Register now at

www.dharmajewel.us

or by phone at 770-939-5008 , or drop by in person at

2550 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta GA 30345

Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Buddhist temple in Atlanta practicing in the Chan (Zen) tradition under the lineage of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. All events at Dharma Jewel are free and offered at no charge.

***

Where can we find peace of mind and true happiness? Zen meditation helps us attain an unbiased perception of reality. The key is to reflect inwardly. In this way, we can reach a clearer understanding of life’s difficulties with true wisdom and peace of mind as the result.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/6/c/8/600_445205832.jpeg

Still have questions? Feel free to contact us.

http://www.dharmajewel.us

Can't wait? Check out more events at AtlantaZen.org