Xianyang Carl Jerome currently teaches meditation and the dharma near Chicago at the North Shore Meditation & Dharma Center, which he founded, as well as at the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, at Common Ground in Deerfield, and in Chicago. Carl has practiced meditation for much of his adult life and Buddhism formally for the past twenty-five years. His formal practice began in San Francisco under Zen Master Zenshin Philip Whalen Roshi, and fifteen years ago he became a student of Master Ji Ru, abbot of the Mid-America Buddhist Association (MABA), from whom he received lay teaching endorsement.

Before becoming a lay renunciate at MABA and dedicating his life to the dharma, Carl was a writer, chef, and teacher.


Carl’s Teaching Statement

I assume that it is my responsibility as a teacher to shine a light on the Path in ways that allow students to see clearly how to reduce their everyday stress and anxiety (dukkha). I believe every student is capable of seeing clearly.

 My sectarian orientation is Chinese Mahayana. Buddhism is the study of what arises in the mind. Come join me in this study.

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Mayalsian-born Master Ji Ru received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu in both the Theravada and Chan traditions, and is an internationally renowned monk and dharma author. He currently resides atf the Mid-America Buddhist Association (MABA) in Augusta, Missouri, where he is the abbot.

MABA, the Center’s parent monastery, is a Chinese Mahayana monastery located on 60 secluded acres in the rolling hills west of St Louis. MABA (the Mid America Buddhist Association) is available for weekend and longer retreats.

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In the beginner's mind there are

many possibilities,

but in the expert's

there are few.      

     --Shunryu Suzuki