Monastery & Retreat Center

“Innovative Dharma teachings with ancient ideals.”
Sam Littlefair – Lion’s Roar

Offerings
Update April 2021: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the monastery is only offering in-person events outdoors. Click here to see our calendar. Additionally, there are opportunities to spend two weeks or longer as a resident. Click here for more info.
If you would like to offer a meal to support the monastic community during this time, please click here or email food@emptycloud.org for more information.
In the meantime, please join us on YouTube LIVE for online Dharma and sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.
All Flavors of Buddhism
All forms of Buddhisms in one place: our retreats are led by monastics from each of the three traditions.
- Theravada
- Mahayana
- Vajrayana
Meditation Practice
The Dharma Gates are endless. Practice vipassana and samadhi meditation techniques from different contemplative lineages.
Sutta Study
The Noble Eightfold path starts with Right View. Learn what the Buddha said by studying the teachings in his own words.
Retreats
We offer several weekend retreats per month, and longer 7, 10, 14 and 30-day retreats to deepen your practice and study the Dhammā.
About
Empty Cloud is a Buddhist monastery located in the small town of West Orange, NJ. We are a place dedicated to spiritual self-development, personal and social transformation, and positive community engagement.
Located right outside of two major cities, NYC and Newark, we are easily reachable via public transit from both.
If you are interested in joining us for mindfulness days to learn meditation or to participate in retreat, we welcome you at Empty Cloud.
Support Our Monastery
Danā
How much does it cost?
There is no set fees to participate in any of our gatherings. Buddhist Insights is an organization that runs entirely on generosity. We are not funded by grants or other foundations, but only by individual free will donations.
Giving Back
Generosity
Buddhist Insights is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. If you wish for our programs to continue to flourish and would like to donate to the organization you can do so via the methods outlined below. All monetary donations are tax-deductible.

@BUDDHISTINSIGHTS
Recurring Donations
Buddhist Insights Meditation Inc.
29 Ridgeway Ave., West Orange, NJ
Come Practice With Us
Wednesdays: 6:00 pm
Tea with a Monastic
(Currently Postponed)
Saturdays: 6:00 pm
Meditation on the Front Lawn
Sundays
Community Days
(Currently Postponed)
Buddhist Insights is a non-profit connecting people with monastics. We invite monks and nuns from various Buddhist traditions to teach meditation in NYC and NJ, and make monastic teachings more accessible to the general public.

©2020 Buddhist Insights