Zen Center of New York City - Fire Lotus Temple, Brooklyn NY

In the world of Buddhism, you'll find many who romanticize sitting and are erroneously fixated on enlightenment, special experiences and to realize an ideal version of the ego self. The Fire Lotus Temple is no exception. The purpose of sitting is for us to give more attentinon to washing the dishes, cleaning the toilet and meeting the deadline at work. The idea that sitting fosters wisdom or compassion are myths. Wisdom and compassion come from within and from one's own orientation. Sitting can enhance those qualities, but meditation is not the source.

I've attended for two months consistently, but I haven't returned in two weeks or so. I may or may not return. It can be useful to be around people we disagree with, but the pretense of humility, holiness and virtue that pervades can be quite oppressive.