Vitamin Q

Like water and sunlight, we need vitamins to grow. In this exquisite season of brilliant foliage and increasing darkness, it becomes even more important to ensure we have the nutrients we need to remain strong, resilient and happy.

Just as the season’s vitamin-rich falling leaves nourish the summer’s depleted soil, Buddhist practices teach a cure out of suffering into wholesome renewal. Through silence, meditation and intentional community, we clear out the old and prepare the ground for spiritual growth.

At Peace House, we offer a particular form of nourishment. Call it “Vitamin Q”. For Quiet. Our humble mission is to provide space and time to quiet the mind for awhile – pausing long enough to hear the inner voice of wisdom that is too often drowned out by all the noise and activity of our daily lives.

Peace House’s urban sanctuary offers abundant Vitamin Q to all - especially those who feel scattered or overwhelmed. Our modest programs are designed to nourish inner peace, making it possible to connect more deeply to all that is around us.

Especially in this season, it can be hard to pause. Our hope is that you remember to take your Vitamin Q. We are here to support you in remaining nourished in inner peace, regardless of how fast your life is moving.

Peace House programs are free and open to all. We ask only that you register in advance.

With metta, judy

Click here for the full list of programs at Peace House.

Weekday Offerings

Devotions to the Buddha, Morning Chant & Meditation
Monday through Friday, 9:00 - 9:45am
Join a resident monk for morning devotions to the Buddha and chanting in Pali. A short mettā (loving-kindness) meditation will follow. Limited to 10 people.
Sign up here.

Midday Silent Meditations
Monday through Friday, 12:30 - 1:30pm
Join a silent meditation session led by Ven. Samitha to acquire tranquility of mind during a mid-day break.
Sign up here.

Mettā (Lovingkindness Meditations)
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm
According to Buddhism, one should develop a boundless love (mettā) towards the entire universe; there should be no boundaries when it comes to the practicing of loving-kindness. Join us weekly to radiate limitless mettā to all living beings in order to heal the world burnt by the flames of ill-will. Offered by Bhante Samitha.
Sign up here.

Meditation & Sutta Study
Thursdays, 6:00 - 6:55pm EST (hybrid)
Study a Buddhist sutta (discourse or story) with Bhante Kusala. The session begins with a brief meditation. These sessions are suitable for beginners and for the experienced practitioners to learn about different concepts of Buddhism such as causality, four noble truths, the middle path and so on.
Sign up here or click here to join via zoom.

Friends on the Path
Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 EST
This peer support group offered by Busshin gathers for the purpose of encouraging one another in our effort to live out a wholesome, virtuous, and contemplative life based on the teachings of the Buddha. Note: Due to the nature of the group, it will now closed to new members. Contact busshin@cambridgepeacehouse.org with questions.

Upcoming schedule: 10/10, 10/17, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21.

Maranānussati (Recollection of Death)
Fridays, 6:00 - 7:00pm EST (hybrid)
Meditation on death isn’t so common in the West, but one of the most popular meditations among Asian Buddhists. This helps one to understand the impermanent nature of all phenomena including one’s own life. In this, one is encouraged to put one’s egocentric attitudes aside, awakening oneself to the truth of life; and then to prepare oneself to face one’s own death with confidence. This practice leads one to live a meaningful life that is beneficial for both oneself and others. Offered by Bhante Samitha.

Sign up here

Saturday Programs

Meditation Kitchen — Inspired by the Somerville Bike Kitchen, this program is an opportunity to come in, ask questions, and “fine-tune” your practice alongside other dedicated practitioners. During the program hour, Busshin will hold space for silent practice and be available to answer any questions about the “nuts & bolts” of seated meditation practice (e.g., “What do I do if my foot falls asleep during meditation?” or “what stretches can I do to help me sit for longer?”) as well as offer things like postural adjustment and suggest possible resources for further study.

Schedule: Every other Saturday at 9 am, including October 19 and November 2.

Register here.

Silent Sundays

Community Progams

Christian Centering Prayer, with the Rev. Mary Michael Leahy Tuesday, October 15, 5:30-6:30pm

Rev. Mary Leahy, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, will be leading centering prayer teaching practice, the third Tuesday evening of each month.  Applying the fundamentals of centering prayer from the Christian faith tradition, Rev. Mary will give a brief practice instruction and then work from Thomas Keating's The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living. This touchstone offering will be an opportunity for beginners to acquire a familiarity with the practice and for more mature contemplatives, an opportunity to pray with others. 

Insight Dialogue with Jan Surrey, Marsha Lawson and Annie Hoffman, Sunday October 20 - 9 am - 1 pm

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practiced in direct, face-to-face, heart-to-heart relational contact. We will practice together in dyads and small groups with the six meditation guidelines: pause, relax, open, attune to emergence, listen deeply and speak the truth - and explore the power of relationship in awakening. In this session, we will practice will focus on the Brahma Vihara of Compassion. 

More information here.

Opportunities for Alms-Giving

Please visit to sign up for a day that works for you: https://www.cambridgepeacehouse.org/appointments. Once you have signed up, the Bhantes will be notified and look forward to receiving your alms offering at 46 Lee Street, Cambridge, MA (Wilder Play Area outside of West and Lee Streets near Peace House). This location is not that busy, and the monks will be visible to you.

Alms-round FAQ

What should I offer?

In Thailand, they say, “Offer whatever you want to eat in heaven”! All offerings are accepted with gratitude.

Is there anything I should not offer?

Please don’t offer money! We are only accepting food for the daily meal. (If you want to offer a financial donation in support of the monks, please do so at cambridgepeacehouse.org/donate) 

Do I have to bring a full meal?

We would really appreciate it if you bring enough for two monks.

But I can’t cook!

We’re near Central Square, so there are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can buy food locally.

Any allergies?

Not really.