The Flower Ornament

The Flower Ornament is a physical place and collection of activities arising from the Maha Vaipulya Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Ornament Sutra) under the guidance of Master Laughing Cloud, author of “Taking The Buddha’s Teaching”.
We practice authentic Dhyana (Zen/Chan) Buddhism based upon over 40 years of Master Laughing Cloud’s arduous Zen and Chan practice. The results of this timeless practice are not imported, but spring from indigenous Western mind.
Dhyana or Zen is the Heart of Buddhism, and Buddhism is the unexcelled heart of Compassion for the liberation of all sentient beings

The Flower Ornament

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Buddhism is not a religion.
There is no dogma.
Only timeless teachings based on the most fundamental of empiricism.
The Flower Ornament offers direct insight into the cause of suffering and rebirth thereby illuminating a path beyond suffering and rebirth through simple meditative practices and daily activities.
From these dynamic practices flow the greatest usefulness to humanity.
Over the last 30 years, The Flower Ornament has offered the natural wonder of creating things, illuminated from a basis of Dhyana (Zen) Buddhist meditation.
Here the creation of musical instruments, timber frame buildings, small boats, classic furniture, simple electrodynamic experiments, observation of the night sky and mathematical paintings of interactions are illuminated by the joy of sitting meditation.

Master Laughing Cloud


Master Laughing Cloud (P.F. Martin) is a lay Dhyana Buddhist Master and author of “Taking The Buddha’s Teaching” .
From the very beginning, he made it his good fortune to be born into a painfully troubled family.

Read more About Master Laughing Cloud

Taking The Buddha’s Teaching


“Taking The Buddha’s Teaching” is an autobiographical account of a life journey along the Path of Buddhist Realization.
For anyone seriously yearning liberation from affliction, this book illuminates the truth that, no matter what obstacles are encountered, Dhyana Practice is Enlightenment.

Book publisher here