Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Dhyana (Zen) Master and author Thich Nhat Hanh has been one of the pioneers of Engaged Buddhism, a path which emphasizes active engagement in the world to ease suffering and prevent war. Through such vital books as "The Miracle of Mindfulness" and "Being Peace," Thay (the Vietnamese word for "teacher) has made the practices of mindfulness available to many people. His simplicity of expression and his profoundly peaceful presence have changed many lives. His home monestary, Plum Village in France, and three monestaries in the United States offer a refuge for those in need. Click here to find out more about Thay and his practice communities worldwide.
Open Path Sangha is connected with the Thich Nhat Hanh community through its abbot, who is a Brother in the Order of Interbeing.
Claude AnShin Thomas
Claude AnShin Thomas is a fully-ordained zen monk in the White Plum Lineage and one of the most powerful voices for the direct application of Buddhist practices to violence and addictions. His direct experiences as a Vietnam War combat veteran, his traumatic childhood, and his subsequent alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration and homelessness give his teachings the authenticity of direct experience. AnShin studied with Dhyana Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Zen Master Bernie Tetsugun Glassman, a pioneer in the engaged practice of bearing witness, He works extensively with combat veterans, addicts, prisoners and young adults in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, and has walked over 40,000 miles across the United States, Europe and Asia to bear witness to suffering past and present. His Buddhist church, the Zaltho Foundation, supports his extensive teaching tours and maintains a practice center in Mary Esther, Florida. Zaltho Foundation is now raising funds to establish the Oakwood Center, a non-medical, non-pharmacological, meditation-based, residential center for the treatment of combat related post traumatic stress. AnShin's book, "At Hell's Gate," chronicles his journey.
Open Path Sangha is affiliated with the Zaltho Foundation through its abbot, who is a zen priest in its lineage.
Zen Master Seung Sahn
Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn arrived in the United States in 1972 and began fixing washing machines to earn money. He immediately attracted a strong group of students drawn to his simple, direct, uncompromising teaching style and his clear, powerful presence. Dae Soen Sa Nim (his honorific title) emphasized the importance of Huado practice: asking "Who am I?" and answering, "Don't know" to cut off all thinking. He emphasized the importance of practicing for everyone's benefit and what he called "together action," and established the Kwan Um School of Zen with practice centers around the world. He ended all his correspondance with, "I hope you only go straight 'don't know,' which is clear like space, soon get enlightenment and save all beings from suffering." His mark on his students is indelible.
Open Path Sangha's abbot studied with Dae Soen Sa Nim and other teachers of the Kwan Um School and the sangha's practices reflect his simple, direct approach.
Our Abbot
Our Abbot, Andrew JiYu Weiss (Brother Chan Chieu) studied with Zen Masters Seung Sahn and Thich Nhat Hanh for many years and has a strong affiliation with Meher Baba. He is a Brother in Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing (TIep Hien) and a Zen priest through Claude AnShin Thomas in the White Plum Lineage. Andrew Jiyu helped to establish Buddhist practice communities in Boston and Maynard, Massachusetts, served as the first president of Zaltho Foundation and has taught meditation classes through adult education centers, yoga studios and churches across the United States since 1996. He is the author of "Beginning Mindfulness," a foundation for learning the practices of mindfulness. Andrew JiYu lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is retired from lawyering, semi-retired from opticianry and an active prayer chaplain at Unity Church of the Triangle. He is married with two Tibetan Spaniels.
Open Path Sangha meets at Unity of the Triangle. The church and its ministers, Senior Minister Neusom Holmes and Associate Minister Ana Quintana, have been very supportive of the sangha's mission. We are grateful for their support and suggest you visit their website for more information about Unity and the church's programs.
OPEN PATH SANGHA
