Be still; truth arises in silence.
The Buddhist Faith Fellowship is a nurturing spiritual community where mindfulness flourishes, kindness is practiced, wisdom is embraced, and compassion is at the heart of everything we do.
Here, we strive to inspire the best in each of us through the harmonious blending of classical Buddhism with the heartfelt and practical teachings of Shin Buddhism (Jōdo Shinshū). Rooted deeply in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, we honor its timeless wisdom while adapting its principles to resonate with the language and culture of the modern Western world. Our fellowship is committed to upholding these values to help individuals find purpose, foster spiritual growth, and walk the path 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. By engaging in the Three Trainings: ethics, mindfulness and wisdom, and through the teachings of grace, gratitude, and the entrusting heart, we provide a pathway to peace and fulfillment in the present moment and beyond.
We warmly invite everyone to participate in our gatherings, courses, and retreats—no prior knowledge or experience with Buddhism is needed. Our approach to Shin Buddhist teachings 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.
Since our founding in 2001, the Buddhist Faith Fellowship has grown to become one of Connecticut’s most established and respected Buddhist organizations. Under the guidance and vision of our founding teacher, Rev. Daishin Senpai, M.A., we have developed a rich array of spiritual programs and activities. As we continue to evolve, we are excited to expand our offerings to include even more online courses and programs, bringing our community’s warmth and wisdom to an even wider audience.
Come as you are, and join us on this journey of grace, connection, and awakening.
Our Story
Our community began on Hanamatsuri in April 2001, the Mahayana holiday celebrating the historical Buddha’s birth, with the mission to learn, practice, and share Shin Buddhist teachings with our generation and culture.
After studying under and receiving lamp transmission from the Venerable Thich Tri Hoang, our founding teacher, Rev. D. Senpai M.A., became a student of the late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno through his sangha and the NoHo Lay Teacher’s Program. With Rev. Unno’s percipient guidance, Rev. Senpai took a bold step in establishing the first and independent Shin Buddhist congregation in Connecticut. Our community started in Rev. Senpai’s small apartment in Bristol, Connecticut near ESPN, but quickly outgrew the space. As a result, he relocated our gatherings to the community room at the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford before ultimately settling at Wesleyan University in Middletown in 2004, first at Memorial Chapel and later at the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies.
Over the years, our fellowship has grown 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 and Latin America, providing resources and support to a diverse range of practitioners. Although some of our special groups, such as the 12 Step Buddhist Group, the New England Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Stoa Buddhist Philosophy Group, Buddha Gaia (our environmental group), and the Buddhist Family Practice programs and many chapters, have been phased out, their legacy of community and spiritual growth continues to inspire our mission.
For over a decade, our fellowship’s activities were held in Middletown, Connecticut. However, during the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020, 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 have happily resumed our 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.
As of this writing, the Buddhist Faith Fellowship remains the only Shin Buddhist community in New England, encompassing the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
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.