Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

We imagine a world where everyone experiences inner peace, belonging, and community. We believe in the powerful transformation possible when community, inner peace, and outward peace are cultivated together.

To provide a sacred place that is first and foremost a monastic residence: a supportive place for monks to further their spiritual development. Second, through various offerings, we invite visitors to engage in spiritual discovery, meaningful community, and practice. We aim to create conditions where individual and collective peace, connection, and discovery can flourish.

Peace House is a sacred space
Located in the heart of Cambridge, Peace House is a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spiritual development and community building. We are a monastic residence that welcomes visitors – religious and non-religious – to share our sacred space. We care for the spiritual needs of our community by being a beautiful, calming refuge from the busyness of daily life.

A place for spiritual encounter, discovery, and practice
Peace House offers space and programming for meaningful connection. We invite people to peruse our various offerings: self-directed contemplative time; joining a meditation with the monks; online programming; meeting one-on-one with resident monk Ven. Samitha or visiting novice Zen priest, Busshin, our Director, Judy Beals, or our Board President, Karl Bandtel.

Occasionally, we are able to offer a guest room to those in need of short-term housing who are doing work consistent with Peace House’s mission. Peace House hosts special events and programming, and we also make the space available to other organizations doing work consistent with our mission.

A community of contemplatives, explorers, and seekers
Peace House is a beautiful, sacred place in which monastics and lay people, non-religious and religious, can contemplate and practice individually or in community. We provide welcoming spaces and programming centered around peace, belonging, and community for all people.

The founders and resident monastics of Peace House were inspired by their experiences at Harvard Divinity School, where religious studies flourish in a diverse and nonsectarian setting. We also find inspiration in welcoming, pluralist sacred spaces and communities. These include Chapel House at Colgate University, the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Our building draws inspiration from the natural world. The beautiful and warm design incorporates natural materials, and offers peace and respite in the midst of a bustling city.