The Society Before Heaven and Earth is a training society based at the Small Forest Temple in Middletown, Connecticut. We practice Bodhidharma's original teaching from the mountain of Seung Sahn: the Empty Handed Way of this world. Born in China from the marriage of Buddhism and Taoism, this practice has remained unchanged for almost 1500 years. The truth that it carries never changes.

In the original discipline as taught at the Small Forest Temple, Tai Chi, Breathing Exercises, Bowing, Chanting, Meditation, and Kung Fu are integrated into one. Our practice teaches the age-old balance of power and wisdom. Personal power without wisdom is harmful and dangerous. Wisdom without personal power cannot truly help you or this world.

At the Small Forest Temple, we train to open our mind so that we may discover who we truly are. We train so that we may find our true path in life, and gain the internal strength and courage to follow that path.