Over the past two decades, the Xuất Gia Vị Tha Sangha has steadily grown on the path of cultivating compassion and wisdom. Each year, during our twelve-day retreat, we set aside worldly life, put on the robe and sash, uphold the ten novice precepts of Sa-Di/Sa-Di-Ni and vow to practice diligently – dedicating the merit to others.
Rooted in the profound philosophy of the Avatamsaka Sutra and the wondrous practice of Quan-Yin Forty-Two Hands and Eyes, we have gathered in places such as Pine Summit, offering prayers for those who are gravely ill, in hardship, or who have passed away. This sacred spiritual journey always concludes with the Mandala and World Peace Gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center.
A New Chapter in Our Journey
Today, we joyfully welcome a meaningful milestone on the Sangha’s path of spiritual cultivation. Thanks to the generous heart of the Compassionate Service Society, the Compass Sangha now has an official home: Tạo Hiền Sơn Trang, nestled in Murrieta. This is a deeply moving moment and a significant step forward for our community.
In past years, the Sangha relied on renting various locations to host our annual retreat. While that cherished tradition will continue, this new home offers a warm and intimate space for thirty to forty practitioners to gather, make deep vows of practice, and nourish their spiritual roots together.
Cultivating Dharma in Every Cell
While the annual XGVT retreat emphasizes altruistic practice and the dedication of merit, the new spiritual home at Tạo Hiền Sơn Trang will focus on the second pillar of the XGVT program: transforming the self and becoming a Dharma vessel. Through weekend retreats and monthly trainings, this sanctuary will serve as a steady refuge for the Sangha—a sacred space where we can step away from worldly entanglements, dwell in stillness and inner peace, and gently awaken the clarity of our true nature.
This home is not a replacement for the annual XGVT retreat, but a meaningful complement: a quiet and nourishing haven for practice, offering a strong foundation for the Sangha’s deepening and enduring commitment to serving others.
Join Us on This New Path
The new home of XGVT at Tạo Hiền Sơn Trang marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Altruistic Home Leaving program, opening the door for monthly trainings—both online and in person. This is a precious opportunity for the sangha community to grow closer, support one another in practice, and cultivate the collective energy of the Sangha.
The CompaSS Shangha Team warmly invites our Dharma brothers and sisters to walk together on this new path. Please stay tuned for the announcement of the first retreat at Tạo Hiền Sơn Trang.
Together, we will continue to nurture and radiate the two luminous streams on the Bodhisattva path: the life of altruism and the realization of selflessness.