Meditation Retreats for Deep Practice

Twice a year, we offer scheduled retreats open to the public. The first is a two-week period in the end of March, as part of our birthday activities. The second is for the month of July. Additionally, it is possible to arrange a different retreat time for individuals or groups. Universal Door was opened to offer support for people to know themselves and find out why they have suffering, so when they realize the source of that suffering, the suffering will end. Participants may stay for any length of time, from one day to two weeks, and deepen the ability to know themselves more clearly and investigate their suffering in any situation.

The retreats are open for anyone over age 12. The suggested donation is $ 50 per day, with flexibility for individual situations. Sleeping place and vegetarian meals are included.

The instructions and guidance for our practice will be given by Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien. She was born and raised in Vietnam and is now living in the United States at the Universal Door Meditation Center in Houston, Texas. She is a Buddhist nun devoted to teaching the direct path to the end of suffering. From her early childhood, she was consumed with the question of suffering, her own and all others'. From there, she dedicated her life to this quest by practicing countless methods from many different teachers and books of various traditions and cultures. However, nothing resolved the quest. Consequently, she clearly knew the way to end her suffering cannot come from outside but comes from within. Nevertheless, she was still unclear about exactly what, why, how to end suffering. Her unyielding question grew ever stronger and forced her to the breaking point, to realize what has been often written and talked about but so rarely experienced... what is suffering, the cause, the system, the nature, and the end of suffering.

Through her own direct experience, she teaches students to know their suffering comes from within themselves and to find out why they suffer, without relying on intellect, concepts, books, sutras or other people’s experience. Everything she teaches aims to the purpose of knowing your suffering and discovering more about the system of suffering in order to end the suffering. This exploration of the system of suffering is applied constantly in every moment. After you realize the system of suffering, you will see clearly what suffering is, the nature that makes up suffering, and you will end the suffering. When suffering ends, you have truly complete happiness and peace.

“What is suffering?”

“Do you want to know why you have suffering?”

Basic Information

Please read everything on our website to give you a clear understanding about our purpose, our practice and our daily schedule. The retreat is an opportunity for people, especially newcomers who feel connected with our purpose, to join our practice and live our regular everyday schedule. We are very happy to welcome anyone who would like to come and explore why they suffer.

This is a wonderful and rare opportunity for deep practice. To best support this intention, we ask that you do not use any cell phones or pagers during the retreat. For any emergency purposes, family members may call our Center (281-565-9718) to reach you. This may seem inconvenient, but it will offer the optimal situation to know more deeply about yourself. Please leave any CD or cassette players, books, or other distractions at home. During your time here, please do not plan any outside trips or visits. Bring whatever you need with you but only what you truly need.

What to bring: Personal items, like alarm clock, toiletries, small bath towel, flashlight and umbrella. We recommend you wear slip-on shoes for convenience when going in or out of each building. If you are staying for more than one day-time visit, we encourage everyone wear the grey practice clothes (Ao Trang and Vat Khach in Vietnamese). They can be purchased here. The price depends on the size, ranging from $30 to $40, for each of the two parts.

Getting here:

v For those driving you may want to consult a map or the internet (our website has a direct link to MapQuest) for the best route. From Highway 59, take the W. Belfort exit (located between Highway 8-Sam Houston Tollway and Alt.-90) headed west on W. Belfort. After about 3 miles, at the light for Eldridge – Synott Road, turn left onto Eldridge. The first light is Florence, turn right. The second street on the right is Charles Lane, turn right. We are the third house on the left, 2619 Charles Lane.

v If you are arriving by airplane, you can take a taxi directly to our Center. For United Cab (713-699-0000) you can just go to the taxi stand at the airport or call in advance. For Saigon Taxi (281-914-3048) call in advance. Other options are available if needed. Please contact us for details.