Be still; truth arises in silence.
The Buddhist Faith Fellowship in Middletown, Connecticut is a practice and training center with an open and nurturing community, dedicated to spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment. Here, mindfulness flourishes, kindness is practiced, wisdom is embraced, and compassion is at the heart of everything we do.
We offer a variety of activities to promote the Buddhist teachings, training, and practices, such as our Meditation & Talk Sundays, morning Mindfulness Retreats, Buddhism 101 courses, and a number of spiritual, cultural, and outdoor field trips. See our Courses and Programs tabs or calendar for current activities. We are open to the public; no experience or knowledge of Buddhism necessary.
As a community of American converts from various traditional religious and non-religious backgrounds, we have been inspired by the wise and loving example of the historical Buddha, his profound teachings, and its skillful continuation that since has been clarified by the great masters; most importantly, we are inspired by the call of Boundless Compassion that accepts us just as we are. Through the traditional Three Trainings of ethics, mindfulness, and wisdom, and the teachings of Other Power (grace), trust, and gratitude, we provide a practical and direct pathway to peace and fulfillment in both the present moment and beyond.
Our mission and vision focus on sharing, promoting, and practicing the Buddhist teachings without any political agenda. We do not endorse any political theory, ideology, or social activism, but we solely rely on the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
We believe that the Buddhadharma itself—the Buddhist Teachings or Way—is enough to transform the world one person at a time, starting with each of us.
We cannot hope to ever make a difference in our thinking, daily interactions, or the world if we do not first look within and transform our self-centeredness, bad habits, and distractions into altruism, a growth mindset, and awareness—that is, to become the best versions of ourselves, to become bodhisattvas and Buddhas. Then, our newly awakened selves can become more skillful and effective vessels in service to others, mending the suffering so prevalent in the world; thus, we abstain from engaging with negative and worldly ideologies that have only caused more misunderstanding, alienation, and unhappiness.
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 and join us, just as you are.
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’ apartment in Bristol, Connecticut, near ESPN.
Inspired by his studies under Venerable Thich Tri Hoang—a 43rd-generation member of the Lieu Quan lineage in the Thièn Lâm Te (Linji Chan, i.e., Rinzai Zen) school—and after receiving lamp transmission and ordination as a dharma teacher in the Dharma Teacher Order in 2000, our founding teacher, Rev. G.R. Lewis, M.A. (Nguyện Trí), dedicated himself to the Buddhist teachings. His teachings draw from Theravada, Mahayana, Thièn (Vietnamese Zen), and Pure Land traditions, sharing these with a new generation to promote awakening and compassion.
He then continued his studies under prominent teachers in the Shin Buddhist and Vajrayana schools, including the late Rev. Taitetsu Unno, Ph.D., through his Lay Teacher’s Program at the Northampton Shin Sangha in Massachusetts. Galvanized by Rev. Unno, Rev. Lewis established the Buddhist Faith Fellowship in 2001 as Connecticut’s first independent group blending Zen and Shin traditions. Over decades, we refined this vision, forging a new path from self-effort to grace that truly reflects Mahayana’s non-duality—advaya.
The first years of the Buddhist Faith Fellowship were filled with shared purpose, but soon outgrew the little apartmen. After searching for a public place to gather, we found a low-budget space at Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford where we meet for two years. 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 Meditation & Talk Sundays.
Since then, 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 16 years, our fellowship’s activities were held exculsively in Middletown, Connecticut, until the global health crisis in 2020, when we transitioned to an online format. Surprisingl, our online presence lead to an unexpected boon of expanded national and international participation in our Meditation & 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, and have reignited our outdoor activities, inviting all to join us on 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. Join us on Sunday mornings or in our courses or retreats to experience the transformative path of mindfulness, grace, and connection.
Our Teachings
Our teachings and practices come from various sources within both Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The vision of the unified Dharma – where all authentic Buddhist paths ultimately lead to awakening – comes from the Lotus Sutra, while our unique blend of Zen and Pure Land schools, with special emphasis in Shin Buddhism, offer teachings and practices that encourages clear and disciplined awareness while blending deep trust, gratitude, and humility. Our teachings offer a gentle movement from self-effort (jiriki) to spiritual surrender (tariki), supporting seekers at every step on their journey.
Rooted in Mahayana Buddhism, we embrace Advaya, the non-dual truth that transcends all opposites. Guided by the insights of Buddhist philosophical schools like the Madhyamika (emptiness), Yogacara (awareness), and Tathagatagarbha (innate Buddha-nature), we adapt all of these ancient insights to the Western mind and heart — inspiring the best in each of us as we walk the path together.
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.