Greetings from the Chicago Buddhist Meditation Group, and welcome to our Website!
We are a diverse group of practitioners and we welcome people from all walks of life to join us – of any religion or no religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, country of origin, socio-economic status, or practice experience from complete beginners to long-time meditators. Together, we benefit from learning from and with each other, and that learning experience is so much richer among diversity.
So, whether you are just curious about meditation or Buddhism, or if you are looking for a group of kindred spirit to practice, study and socialize together on a regular basis, you are most welcome to check us out.
While we use Chan/Zen (“Chan” is Chinese for “Zen”) etiquette & approach during meditation – because that’s what the current main facilitators are familiar with – we bring in teachings from all authentic Buddhist traditions during discussions to create a rich, diverse & open learning environment.
In addition to weekly gatherings, we also occasionally hold other special events as opportunities arise.
There is no cost to attend. However, donations in any amount would be very helpful and appreciated, to support our continual operation, so that we may sustain and grow – such as to cover our monthly rent, Meetup subscription fee, special events’ costs, etc..
None of us receives any remuneration for our time and efforts – we do this simply out of a wish to benefit more people, as a way to pay forward what we ourselves have benefited, and for a chance to practice with fellow meditators.
Please join us – we would love to meet you!
“Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.”
– The Metta Sutta *
Chicago Buddhist Meditation Group (CBMG) welcomes all persons interested in learning and practicing the Dharma, regardless of any other characteristic, including but not limited to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, religion, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or physical appearance. We are committed to providing a physically and psychologically safe environment for your practice.
When you attend a CBMG event or when you communicate with other people in the context of CBMG (e.g., on a website or via email), please be mindful of the following:
- Be respectful of others.
- Other people are human beings who want happiness and do not want suffering.
- Harassment, insults, disruptive behavior, exclusionary behavior, discriminatory behavior, or sexual advances are never appropriate.
If you are being made to feel uncomfortable by another person attending a CBMG event, or communicating with you in the context of CBMG, please inform an organizer. If the person who is causing you to be uncomfortable is an organizer, please inform one of the other organizers, and the person who is the subject of your complaint will recuse themselves from all subsequent discussions on this matter. We will take all reports seriously and take action where appropriate.
CBMG Board Members:
- Belinda Li
- Phyllis Lee
- Stephen Hoover
“Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness” (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html.