If you are looking for a place to just unwind, relax and take a break, then North Carolina surely has something for you. The state offers a unique mix of both modern, historic and natural attractions that everyone surely loves. That does not include the mouthwatering dishes and seafood that you can enjoy while in the state. However, if you want the utmost peace and quietness during your trip to North Carolina, then you might want to visit one of its monasteries. Monasteries are indeed an underrated attraction that everyone should try visiting at least once in their whole lifetime, and North Carolina has a lot of them. If you are interested in visiting these sites, here are some of the most amazing monasteries to visit in North Carolina, USA.
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1. Belmont Abbey
The Belmont Abbey is a monastery of the Benedictine Order that has been operational for over a thousand years already. Mainly serving the adjacent Belmont Abbey College, almost all of the nuns and the priests in the monastery are dedicated to serving their college students and share their Godly life with them. That is why you should not wonder if you see some students praying and evangelizing with you inside the monastery. Regular masses and the liturgy of the hour are observed at the monastery, and everyone is welcome to join them.
Belmont Abbey
Address: 100 Belmont Mt Holly Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, United States
Website: Belmont Abbey
2. Wat Carolina Monastery
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Wat Carolina Monastery is a Thai Buddhist Monastery that is located in between Bolivia and Wilmington, North Carolina. This monastery, under the leadership of Phrakru Buddamonpricha, continues to grow physically and spiritually and believes that it is Buddha who taught them that the greatest blessing that one can get will be received by those that study the scriptures and pass them to others. While they do not really aim to make you one of them, they would be really glad if you want to know more about Buddhism and meditate with them as you visit the Wat Carolina Monastery.
Wat Carolina Monastery
Address: 1610 Midway Road, Bolivia, N.C. 28422, U.S.A.
Website: Wat Carolina Monastery
3. Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you are a follower of the Greek Orthodox, then you would surely want to visit Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery in Lawsonville, North Carolina. It might not be as majestic as the monasteries that you find in Greece itself, but this monastery is as quiet, serene, and peaceful as them. They are dedicated to maintaining, conducting, and operating this monastery based on the teachings and the holy tradition of the Catholic and Apostolic Church. However, they are also into the charitable and educational side of the religion for everyone that visits their monastery.
Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery
Address: 1631 Creasey Road, Lawsonville, NC 27022
Website: Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery
4. Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center aims to promote peace and happiness to everyone by means of sharing the teachings of Buddha. Their spiritual leaders, Venerable Pannavati and Venerable Pannadipa, have received teachings, ordinations, and authorization to teach and share the three major Buddhist traditions known as the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. However, one should not be reluctant to enter the retreat center since they will only share Buddhism not as a religion but as a method of cultivating your own self through the teachings of Buddha.
Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center
Address: 159 Osceola Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739, United States
Website: Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center
Opening hours: Mon & Fri: 5pm - 6pm; Tue & Thu: 12pm - 1pm, 5pm - 6pm; Wed & Sat: 12pm - 1pm (closed on Sat)
5. Anantachin Buddhist Monastery, Inc.
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you are a Thai or a follower of Thai Buddhism looking for a worship and meditation place in North Carolina, then you should definitely visit the Anantachin Buddhist Monastery, Inc. Reflect on your life and meditate with the monks as you visit this great Buddhist monastery. You can also talk and share with the other Thai Buddhism followers that you might meet during your visit to this monastery. You can also just come and visit the monastery and marvel at the temple, the statues and the lush gardens that surround you.
Anantachin Buddhist Monastery, Inc.
Address: 1919 NC-24, Cameron, NC 28326, United States
Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 7pm; Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm
6. Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Won Buddhism Meditation Temple welcomes all sorts of people that want to obtain inner peace and happiness. They will help you get through many kinds of meditation and mindfulness training that will surely give you the peace and the happiness that you deserve. Regardless of your culture, race, age, gender, or spiritual background, you are welcome to visit and meditate at the Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina.
Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina
Address: 8021 Old NC 86, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
Website: Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina
Opening hours: 6am - 8:30pm (daily)
7. The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Spirit invites everyone to come and see their church as there will surely be something for everyone that visits. Take a break from all of your life’s stresses and spend the day at the church meditating, praying, participating in a retreat, and know more about the monastic culture. They guarantee that your mind, body, and soul will be replenished as you get to visit The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Spirit.
The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Address: Burnsville, NC 28714, United States
8. Zen Center of North Carolina
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Zen Center of North Carolina is a Zen Buddhist community and retreat center that is dedicated to supporting the community as they offer weekly meditation sessions, traditional services, retreats, and instructions to beginners in their very peaceful, tranquil and secluded place in North Carolina. If you want to practice in a more holistic way, they also offer residential opportunities and personal retreats. Everyone is also welcome to rent the center for their own meditation.
Zen Center of North Carolina
Address: 390 Ironwood, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Website: Zen Center of North Carolina
9. Dha Mii Karr Yarr Ma Kyoung Dhammikarama Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Dha Mii Karr Yarr Ma Kyoung Dhammikarama Temple offers several meditation and retreat programs dedicated to bringing joy, happiness, and peace of mind to everyone participating. Some of the programs that they offer include the Poya one-day retreat, where you spend the day learning the dhamma, meditating, reciting gatha, offering and partaking in dana, and dhamma discussions. There are also regular meditation sessions, Sunday school, and other significant events in Buddhism that everyone will surely love and enjoy.
Dha Mii Karr Yarr Ma Kyoung Dhammikarama Temple
Address: 2214 N Carolina Hwy 54 W, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, United States
Visit these monasteries in North Carolina
Every one of us feels stressed and lonely that going somewhere for a vacation won’t suffice. Sometimes, we just need to have time to be alone to meditate and read the scriptures. For times like that, you should definitely visit one of these monasteries in North Carolina, regardless of your religious beliefs.
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