Universal Door Meditation Center (Thiền Viện Phổ Môn)

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Hanna Levia Google

2 months ago

I always feel my words can never express enough how grateful I am for Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien’s teaching. Before going to the center, I was very skeptical about the term “Awakened One” and not very clear what Buddhism is all about. After two years following there as an Awake Student, I realized what have caused my sufferings and the ultimate path to liberate all of them. Like other students at the center, I had life changing experiences under Zen Master’s guidance and I vowed to devote as much time and money as possible to help others have a chance like me to meet Awakened Ones and experience “awakening” their Buddha potential. For the last 20 years, I was following other Zen Masters, traditional Buddhism, Tantrayana, and various meditation techniques, but I was stuck finding the answer to have a peaceful life. I went to temples, prayed, chanted, and practiced meditation, but deep down, my sorrows still remain. I had a temporary “shelter”, but the moment I got out of a temple, finished chanting, or completed a meditation session, I automatically got back to my own situation, suffering and feeling trapped. I often left those places and kept looking for an answer on how to completely get out of this circle. After getting my Dharma name and being guided by Zen Master and the Sangha, my depression went away, some physical symptoms reduced significantly, and my relationship with family members improved. Lately, my kid attended the Youth and Teen camp and this profoundly changed his perspectives about awakened stillness and how it helps him over time. The life changing experience is very beneficial but not the main reason why I am still following the Zen Master. After all, I realized that Awakened One Thich Dieu Thien has the power to not only show me the root cause of my problems but also to guide me through the process to end the circle of birth and death, which is far beyond the human mind can imagine. I am so glad that gave myself a chance to come and explore the Truth about the Zen Master and Her teaching. I still remember my first meeting with Her at a Sunday Dharma talk on September 17, 2023. It turned out to be the best day of my life. During the talk, She explained the source of attachments and it ultimately answered a question that I had been contemplating for many years. At that moment, I realized Her wisdom and compassion directly from Her heart liberated the deep sorrow in my heart.

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Mai Huynhvia Google

2 months ago

I'm writing a true review about this meditation center because they directly asked me to write good review for them. They said they don't care of those negative reviews but they do really care. They asked me not to like those bad reviews and give them 5 stars if possible. I attended the retreat classes and every Sunday classes. The classes were not very helpful. The master always talked about herself as a live Buddha and convince us to trust her if we want to be a Buddha like her. Lot of information you can get from Google or chat GPT better than her. I rather to meditate at home to save my time than listen to her. This place asked for your money on very first day. $230/ month. They said it including utilities bills and food costs but turned out the master created "different games" like cooking for the whole class. Students had to spend extra money to pay for food for her games. Their kitchen was very hot with no air conditioning and poor condition, so many things broken in the kitchen. They don't bother calling someone to repair things or maintain the facility - instead, they created games ask for free labor from the students. We then have to contribute money to buy lot of things for them all the times. In addition all the costs, they always ask for donation in many ways, like money for candles, contributing money for master birthday...etc lots of donations. I came just want to study about meditation, but then I felt so sick about this place. I did not find any peace from this place at all. I hope this true review will alert you about this place. Don't waste your time and money!

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Myphuong Tranvia Google

3 months ago

I've seen many of negative comments about Pho Mon as a place of business and always asking about money! I've been there, done that — I had similar thoughts at first. But over time, I realized that what’s taught at Phổ Môn goes much deeper than donations or ceremonies. It’s really about facing our attachments — the things we call “mine”: our time, effort, and money. The Buddha taught that liberation comes from letting go of the ego, and that means learning to release what we cling to most. When we can give something we value with peace and understanding, that’s true "let go"- real practice. For me, Phổ Môn has helped me see that it’s not about how much we give, but why we give. Just like someone who gladly pays tuition to study at a good school because they value what they’ll learn, supporting the Dharma is part of our own learning and transformation. It’s really about intention — growing, awakening, and coming back to our Buddha nature.

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Ben Sunshinevia Google

3 months ago

After attending retreats, dharma talks, and working with the sangha, I feel that great wisdom is being offered by the teachers here. May we each awaken our Buddha nature to bring peace to ourselves and the planet!

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Kelly Ngoc Hoangvia Google

4 months ago

As a practicing Mahayana Buddhist, I understand that our tradition has many branches, but at its core, Buddhism is about inner peace, mindfulness, and personal transformation — not financial contributions. Unfortunately, my experience at Pho Thong and with Thích Diệu Hiền and her students was uncomfortable and disheartening. Donation requests were made repeatedly and very directly, to the point that it felt pressured rather than voluntary. This kind of environment goes against the spirit of dāna — the practice of giving — which in Buddhism should always come from the heart, never from obligation or guilt. The constant focus on financial support and infrastructure felt out of alignment with true Buddhist values. The more deeply one studies Buddhism, the clearer it becomes that material contributions are not the path to enlightenment or peace. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this group to research Buddhist teachings and traditions on their own first. In my view, a spiritual path should not revolve around one person or rely heavily on a centralized figure — that structure can easily slide into cult-like dynamics rather than genuine Dharma practice. Please be mindful and discerning before choosing your teacher or community.