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The Awake Center
The New Awake Center
The Awake Center
UNIVERSAL DOOR MEDITATION CENTER
15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77498
Phone: (281) 565-9718
For the past 18 years, from the day she Awakened, Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien constantly brings the living Awake teachings to cultivate and water the mind garden of many people regardless of religion, gender, race or background, helping them to realize and believe in the capacity to Wake Up already within themselves and develop the goal to Wake Up.
Because of the Zen Master's tireless devotion in her mission to helping people, the number of students was growing rapidly, many students ordained with the vow to Wake Up, students from all parts of the world attended residential
retreats regularly, Dharma talks and the Youth & Teens program were ongoing every Sunday, and more retreats for young students was also held throughout the year. Therefore, the old property did not have enough space to accommodate the needs, so Zen Master moved to a new property on a 9-acre land on Dora Lane in Sugar Land, TX, worth $900,000 and was paid off.
At the end of 2015, right after the land was acquired, Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien began to guide her students and volunteers to clear the land. Zen Master was always side by side with them, guiding them every step of the way, which trees to remove, which trees to keep so that the exploitation does not lose the inherent natural beauty of the property. Zen Master, students and volunteers had quick meals together and shared the intense summer heat of Texas and the heavy downpour days. With infinite Wisdom and boundless Compassion, Zen Master guided her students and volunteers to see a new future of Universal Door, always encouraging them to develop the goal to Wake Up and opening the mind for them while working.
The Early Days of Dora Facility
In parallel with the land clearing activities, Zen Master began to plan on the construction phase and chose the most optimal solution which was to build the first building with all the Center’s activities encapsulated in it. It was the first structure built for the Awake Center.
Construction Photos
Because the design architect and the construction contractor had little or no knowledge about Zen, and at the same time to reduce construction costs, Zen Master and nuns stepped in to oversee the construction. Zen Master followed the construction progress, promptly made changes and expedited repairs on construction issues. Every day Zen Master stayed at Dora from dawn to dusk regardless of the weather conditions…heat, rain, cold or freeze. Zen Master had meals in a hurry with the nuns in the construction tent. In the first few weeks, Zen Master's legs were swollen, but the smile was always on her lips.
In just 6 months, the construction of the first building for the Awake Center – Universal Door Meditation Center was successfully completed.
The Awake Center - Universal Door Meditation Center
15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77498