Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut

Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut We are a nurturing and insightful spiritual community blending Zen and Shin Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu). Our activities are accessible and easy to follow for all.

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. Mission

The Buddhist Faith Fellowship is dedicated to sharing the Buddhist teachings of awareness, wisdom, and compassion, and to promoting spaces and communities for its practice and development in order to guide all truth-seekers to spiritual enlightenment, thereby advancing human flourishing and benefit all sentient beings in the world. Vision

As 21st century spiritual pioneers, we envision an innovative, practical, and thriving American Buddhism that meets the religious, ethical, and psychological needs of our generation and culture through the liberating teachings of classical Buddhism – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana- with special emphasis on Zen and Pure Land teachings – while being Informed by the discoveries of modern science and recognizing the biophysical realities of human existence, to inspire universal spiritual awakening for all. Join us in Middletown, CT or online! Visit our website to explore our unique approach to Buddhism, current programs, and upcoming events: https://bffct.org/bff/.

4 DAYS LEFT: Save 15% on January's Silent Retreat & Buddhism 101With the new year just around the corner, we wanted to s...
12/22/2025

4 DAYS LEFT: Save 15% on January's Silent Retreat & Buddhism 101

With the new year just around the corner, we wanted to share a gentle but timely reminder: there are only 4 days left to take advantage of early bird savings on our January offerings. Early bird discounts for both programs end on December 25, (11:59 pm). and this is the best opportunity to register while saving 15%.

⏰Beginning Anew Silent Retreat
Sunday, January 11, 2026

This new year half-day silent retreat offers a chance to pause, reset, and begin the year with intention in a peaceful setting overlooking a Zen garden. Participants often share that the retreat helps them:

Let go of the past year with greater clarity and kindness

Reconnect with stillness, presence, and a sense of inner balance

Registering early not only secures your place in this limited-space retreat, but also allows you to save 15% using the early bird code listed on the registration page.Learn more and register here: https://bffct.org/bff/beginning-anew-mindfulness-retreat-2/

⏰Buddhism 101: The Basics (Online Course)
Begins Sunday, January 25, 2026

Our most popular introductory course is designed for beginners and curious seekers alike. Buddhism 101 offers:

A clear and welcoming introduction to core Buddhist teachings and practices, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

Practical guidance for bringing mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion into everyday life

Early registration gives you 15% off with the early bird code and provides time to order books and prepare so you can begin the course feeling grounded and ready.

Learn more and register here: https://bffct.org/bff/buddhism-course-101-module-1-the-foundation/

— Palms together, —Rev. G.R. Lewis

⏰New Year’s Day Event January 1, 2026 ⏰

Free Online Workshop - Movement for Graceful Living

Start the 2026 the right way! Join us on New Year’s evening, January 1st , at 7 p.m. for a free online demo class, presented by Melissa Lewis, for adults seeking vitality: gentle movement, breathwork, and meditation to ease stiffness, reduce anxiety, and help you feel vibrant again.

Click here for Zoom link access: https://www.meetup.com/buddhism-563/events/312372160/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events



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We would like to give a special thanks for all those members and friends who participated in this morning's Bodhi Holida...
12/21/2025

We would like to give a special thanks for all those members and friends who participated in this morning's Bodhi Holiday Season Food Drive, which took place right after our Meditation & Talk Sunday Meeting, benefiting Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown, CT. We had a good amount of non-perishable food donated. Also, a deep thanks to the BFF volunteers, Jonathan and Celeste, who helped organize the food drive and will take the donations to Amazing Grace. Namu Amida Butsu!

p.s. Our next Sunday morning meeting will be on January 11, 2026 for our annual Beginning Anew Silent Retreat. See our web site to register. The Early Bird Discount ends in 4 days., December 25th.



Mindfulness helps us pause, notice, and arrive in the present moment. It is often where practice begins: learning to pay...
12/20/2025

Mindfulness helps us pause, notice, and arrive in the present moment. It is often where practice begins: learning to pay attention to body, breath, thoughts, and feelings with care. Yet mindfulness is not the destination. It opens into awareness itself—the spacious, compassionate presence that is already here, holding our experience without judgment or grasping. In the language of our tradition, this awareness points to Buddha-nature: not something we manufacture through effort, but something we learn to trust and rest within.

And awakening is never just for ourselves. To “bring others with you” is not about teaching or fixing, but about how awareness naturally expresses itself as care. When we live from this home of awareness, our words soften, our patience deepens, and our actions become more responsive to the suffering around us. This is how bodhicitta takes shape in everyday life—not as an abstract ideal, but as a shared path we walk together. At the Buddhist Faith Fellowship, practice is not about going somewhere else; it is about learning to dwell fully where we already are, and allowing wisdom and compassion to move through us for the benefit of all.



12/20/2025

This Sunday December 21st, we're having our holiday season food drive and Meditation and Talk Sunday at 9:00 a.m.. please bring some non-perishable food to benefit Amazing Grace food pantry in Middletown Connecticut. If you don't have any non-perishable food to give, no problem, of course, come anyway, Our topic will be on the Buddhist answer to stress. We hope to see you tomorrow at 9:00 a.m..

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. for our last Sunday meeting of 2025. This s...
12/18/2025

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. for our last Sunday meeting of 2025. This special gathering will include a food drive collecting non-perishable items to support Amazing Grace Food Pantry, so you can help make the holidays brighter for those in need.

Tonight at 7 p.m., don’t miss our Free Demo Workshop: Movement for Graceful Living, a great opportunity to experience our practices firsthand. And remember, early bird discounts for both the Beginning Anew Retreat and Buddhism 101—both happening in January 2026—expire on December 25th, so now is the perfect time to register.

From all of us at the Buddhist Faith Fellowship, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, reflection, and connection.

🌟 Sunday, December 21

Meditation & Talk Sunday + Bodhi Season Food Drive

Join us for our weekly Meditation & Talk gathering at 9 a.m. Also, our annual Bodhi Season Food Drive will take place immediately after the Meditation & Talk meeting. Please bring non-perishable food items to help support Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown this holiday season.

Practicing generosity is a beautiful expression of the Dharma—thank you for participating.
Thursday, December 18

🌟Free Online Workshop - Movement for Graceful Living

Join us this Thursday and January 1st at 7 p.m. for a ree online demo class, presented by Melissa Lewis, for adults seeking vitality: gentle movement, breathwork, and meditation to ease stiffness, reduce anxiety, and help you feel vibrant again. For Zoom link access:, visit us on Meetup.com, our Facebook event or our web site.

✨Beginning Anew Retreat

Early Bird Discount expires on Dec. 25th Sunday, January 11, 2026 - 9 - 11:30 am

✨Sound Bath: A Deep Rest & Healing Experience

Saturday, January 17, 2026 • 6:00–7:30 pm

✨Buddhism 101: The Basics – Online Course

Early Bird Discount expires on Dec. 25th. Begins Sunday, January 25, 2026 - 6 p.m.



BFF Is Expanding in 2026 — Seeking Skilled Volunteers to Join Our TeamThe Buddhist Faith Fellowship is growing, and in 2...
12/05/2025

BFF Is Expanding in 2026 — Seeking Skilled Volunteers to Join Our Team

The Buddhist Faith Fellowship is growing, and in 2026 we are expanding into a full-fledged Buddhist center with a wider range of programs and community offerings. Along with our core activities—Meditation & Talk Sundays, online courses, Days of Mindfulness, field trips, sound bathing, mindful hiking, kirtans, and more—we’re now looking to broaden our schedule even further.

We’re seeking skilled and experienced volunteers to help lead or support programs such as:
• Qigong or Tai Chi
• Gentle yoga or movement practices
• Alternative meditation styles (breathwork, mantra, sound)
• Mindfulness-based or contemplative arts
• Buddhist teachings from any tradition
• Healing and relaxation-based sessions
• Nature-based mindfulness activities
• Any other offerings that harmonize with Buddhist values of awareness, compassion, and inner well-being

If you have training or experience in these areas—or would like to propose something of your own—we’d love to hear from you. All proposals will be thoughtfully reviewed.

To get involved, message us on Facebook or Meetup, reply to this post, or use our Contact Form:
https://bffct.org/bff/contact/

Thank you for helping us grow into a richer, more vibrant community.

Warmly,
Dharma Teacher G.R. Lewis



🌿 Sunday, December 7Meditation & Talk Sunday + Volunteer MeetingJoin us for our weekly Meditation & Talk gathering.After...
12/04/2025

🌿 Sunday, December 7

Meditation & Talk Sunday + Volunteer Meeting

Join us for our weekly Meditation & Talk gathering.After the session, we’ll hold a brief volunteer meeting to organize our Bodhi Season Food Drive. We are seeking volunteers to help coordinate donations and deliver food to a local Middletown food pantry.

Your support makes this compassionate community effort possible.

🌟 Sunday, December 21

Meditation & Talk Sunday + Bodhi Season Food Drive

Our annual Bodhi Season Food Drive will take place immediately after the Meditation & Talk meeting. Please bring non-perishable food items to help support local families in need this holiday season.

Practicing generosity is a beautiful expression of the Dharma—thank you for participating.

🌟 This Giving Tuesday — Help Grow a Unique Refuge of Peace & Practice in Connecticut 🌟The Buddhist Faith Fellowship of C...
12/02/2025

🌟 This Giving Tuesday — Help Grow a Unique Refuge of Peace & Practice in Connecticut 🌟

The Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut (BFF) is a welcoming sangha where people gather — in person or online — for meditation, Dharma talks, mindful activities, and community connection.

In 2026, we’re excited to expand with sound bathing, Buddhist-style kirtan, and continue our spiritual field trips, mindful biking, and waterfall meditations.

One of our biggest challenges is helping people discover our community — meaningful outreach is costly for a small nonprofit. Your Giving Tuesday gift helps us reach more people seeking calm, guidance, and connection.

Support BFF today and help us continue offering a unique, heart-centered Buddhist refuge.

👉 To become a Supporting Member: USE QR CODE
👉 To make a one-time donation: USE QR CODE

With gratitude,
Dharma Teacher G.R. Lewis & the BFF Volunteers



Address

College For East Asian Studies, 343 Washington Terrace, Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
06457

Opening Hours

9am - 10:30am

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