The City of Mobile has filed a lawsuit against the entire Nimityongskul family seeking to impose an injunction on their home by Dog River. The official reason for the injunction is that the City contends they are conducting a “commercial enterprise,” or what they call “illegal meditation retreats” on their private property.

A “commercial enterprise” by definition is charging fees to make a profit. This did not occur. In fact, the Meditation Center of Alabama, a Buddhist meditation center, is a not-for-profit organization that doesn’t charge for its weekly meditations or Buddhist educational classes also known as Dharma talks. For the past eight years they offered these services plus the guidance of many accomplished, ordained Buddhist monks to educate their students, all free of charge.

To bring an injunction to prevent these small meditation gatherings is a violation of every American’s constitutional right to the freedom of religion.

If people can hold bible classes, prayer groups, or other kinds of spiritual gatherings in their homes, then why not meditation? This is religious discrimination plain and simple. It is not enough to deny the Nimityongskul family the freedom from creating a meditation center on Dog River, but now, the City of Mobile is trying to prevent them from having peaceful meditations, of any size, on their private property. These are the kinds of harassing issues confronting the Nimityongskul family by the city of Mobile.

Mrs. Nimityongskul known as "Lar" by her friends, founded the Meditation Center of Alabama in 2007 for the purpose of teaching Buddhist meditation and to help others find peace in their lives. All of this is made possible by the kindness of her heart and by the goodwill of others working together to grow the center. It is a place where people go to learn meditative skills and improve their quality of life, relieve stress and find a quiet moment. There are numerous reasons why people seek meditation, but the center Lar founded is a haven from the stresses of the world, where members find tranquility and as well as fellowship with like minded meditators, from all walks of life both in the city of Mobile and the surrounding areas.

The Nimityongskul family is seeking your support in the form of signing a petition to support their right to religious freedom in the city of Mobile.

By signing this petition you are agreeing that…

1) The Nimityongskul family has the right to have gatherings in their home for the purpose of practicing their Buddhist religion and meditation.
2) Any injunction to prevent this practice should be removed.

We greatly appreciated your kindness and support.  Thank you.