Be still; truth arises in silence.
The Buddhist Faith Fellowship is a nurturing spiritual community where mindfulness and compassion bloom, awakening the spirit and inviting you into a journey of inner peace and connection. Inspired by the Ekayana—the oneness of the Buddhist teachings, a Mahayana principle uniting all paths into a single vehicle for enlightenment—we uniquely blend the timeless clarity of Lieu Quan lineage and the Thièn Lâm Te School (Linji Chan/Rinzai Zen) with the heartfelt grace of Shin Buddhism (the Nishi Honganji school of Jodo Shinshu), guiding seekers from Zen’s clear effort to Shin’s gentle surrender—a path from self-power (jiriki) to Other Power (tariki). Rooted in Mahayana, we embrace Advaya, the non-dual truth that transcends opposites, adapting ancient wisdom for the Western heart, inspiring the best in each of us as we walk toward enlightenment.
Our mission is to guide all who join us on their Buddhist journey, transforming life’s inevitable suffering (dukkha) into inner well-being and creating the conditions for ultimate spiritual liberation. Through the Three Trainings of ethics, mindfulness, and wisdom, and the teachings of grace, gratitude, and entrusting faith, we provide a pathway to peace and fulfillment in the present moment and beyond, fostering spiritual growth and purpose for all.
We warmly invite everyone to participate in our gatherings, courses, and retreats—no prior knowledge or experience with Buddhism is needed. Our approach to the Buddhist teachings and practices is designed to be highly accessible and supportive, offering practical insights that are easy to follow and meaningful for people from all walks of life.
Come as you are, and join us on this journey of mindfulness, grace, and connection.
Our Story
Our journey began on Hana-matsuri Festival in April 2001, celebrating the historical Buddha’s birth, when a small group gathered in Rev. G.R. Lewis’ (Senpai) apartment in Bristol, Connecticut, near ESPN.
Inspired by his studies under the Venerable Thich Tri Hoang—a 43rd-generation member of the Lieu Quan lineage of the Thièn Lâm Te (Linji Chan, i.e., Rinzai Zen) school —and receiving lamp transmission and ordination as a Dharma Teacher in 2000 —our founding teacher, Rev. G.R. Lewis, M.A., dedicated himself to sharing Buddhist teachings with a new generation, drawing on Theravada, Mahayana, Thièn (Vietnamese Zen), and Pure Land traditions. Further enriched by training under the late Dr. Taitetsu Unno through the NoHo Lay Teacher’s Program, he founded the Buddhist Faith Fellowship as the first Connecticut group to blend Thièn (Zen) and Shin traditions, a vision we refined over decades, uniting Zen’s disciplined focus with Shin’s compassionate surrender—a path from self-effort to grace that reflects Mahayana’s non-dual Advaya.
Those early gatherings, filled with shared purpose, soon outgrew the apartment, leading us to the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford. In 2004, we found a spiritual home at Wesleyan University in Middletown, first meeting at Memorial Chapel before moving to the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies, which includes a tatami room and overlooks the beautiful Shôyôan Teien Zen garden, which has inspired our Practice & Talk Sundays.
Over the years, our fellowship grew into a vibrant Buddhist community, offering a variety of enriching programs, courses, workshops, and retreats. We expanded to include local chapters across the United States, providing resources and support to a diverse range of practitioners. While some initiatives, such as our environmental, philosophical, and family groups, were phased out, their legacy of community and spiritual growth continued to inspire our mission.
For two decades, our fellowship’s activities were held in Middletown, Connecticut, continuing until the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020, when we transitioned to an online format, leading to an unexpected boon of expanded national and international participation in our Practice & Talk Meetings. Post-pandemic, we joyfully resumed in-person activities in Middletown and amplified our presence on social media platforms such as Meetup.com, Facebook, X, and Instagram, with plans to reignite online and outdoor activities, inviting all to join this transformative journey. As of this writing, the Buddhist Faith Fellowship stands as the only community in New England—encompassing Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine—blending Zen and Shin traditions, unique and independent in its integrative path.
Our story is not complete; we are still evolving. Come, be part of this unfolding journey, joining us in this transformative path of mindfulness, grace, and connection.
Come as you are
For disciples and seekers. For individuals and families. For young and old. For men and women. For the highly educated and not so learned. For believers and non-believers. For saints and the wicked. For the lucky and for the less fortunate. For straight and gay. For any race and ethnic group. For blue collars, white collars and no collars. For liberals, conservatives, and any other political belief. For the healthy and the sick. For locals and from abroad. At Buddhist Faith Fellowship, labels do not matter; the Buddha’s message of transformation and supreme liberation is open for everyone. Come as you are.
Join Buddhist Faith Fellowship’s Facebook Group. This interactive open space is a great place to learn about Buddhism, share knowledge and experiences with the teachings, and keep in touch with the Fellowship’s activities. Click the Facebook icon to enter.