Our Stories

Dai Dang is an ideal place for monks who left their worldly life behind to commit themselves into learning and practicing Zen Buddhism to perfect themselves. Dai Dang have great leaders who organize the monastery and support our daily life, experienced monks who can help us with our Buddhism practices and a harmonous congregation with whom we can share our monk-life experiences. Dai Dang also serves laypeople who come to study and practice Buddhism under the guidings of the monks. Dai Dang welcomes everyone Buddist or non-Buddhist, all religious, cultural, and ethnical background.

D. Hai An


Hi! I am Dang Bao An. I came to Dai Dang right after graduating from high school just as a short break from the daily stress of life. After three months of practicing meditation, I became fascinated by the monastic life at Dai Dang became a monk. Its such a great place to improve oneself, I feel I’ve become a much better person since I came here, learning how to look inwards to find the cause and solution to a problem instead of always looking outward. haha who would have thought it would have been so simple, The Buddhist teachings is wonderful.

D.Bao An

The Buddhist monks at Dai Dang practice in tranquility and teach meditation, compassion, kindness, acceptance and many other virtues. The community focuses on developing mindfulness and understanding of the teachings of Buddha.... People who feel they are trapped in their suffering come here also, they come to learn how to let go of it, how to cure themselves from it just like you visit your doctor when sickness has settled in the body..... The Great Light (Dai Dang) of Wisdom will help all of us to find, and walk on, the path of true happiness, leaving the dark ages behind.

George K. Dobrev


ALL THAT MATTERS
I awoke in the middle of the night
Knowing deep inside
That my life was all a sham.
My religion, my guru,
All were just a fantasy
A projection of my mind...Read More

Jessica Slade

IMPRESSION OF AN AMERICAN PILGRIM ON A VISIT TO A ZEN BUDDHIST MONASTERY
Dai Dang (Great Light) is a four-month old monastery located on the nine acre grounds of a former horse farm not far from San Diego. Nine Vietnamese monks, ages 25-71 live, laugh, work and meditate here. They are serious Zen Buddhist followers of their 78 years old master who lives in Vietnam..... Read More

Dr. Jack Soule - Professor at UC San Diego