New Buddhist center opened
 

Hi all,

I haven't been by for awhile. Even though I been coming here off an on over a year I still consider myself a beginner. I've fallen way way behind on my practice. But I finally get some vacation this week.

And I just saw an article in the paper that a Buddhist temple just opened in our very conservative Christian area. I feel this is good news as I've had no guidance of any form.

http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=514309

can anyone share their thoughts with me on this place?

Can I get someone's thoughts?

I don't know anything about it, I live in the UK. Sorry roadrunner. Perhaps someone will give you an answer in time. Not everyone looks in every day.

I called the number on the thing, and he said they practice Mahayana...I'm not really familiar with the difference.

This might be helpful:

URL

Is is the place Vietnamese? It looks like it. What area of the country do u live in and are you looking to continue practicing with a specific tradition? If, so which one?

I'm in Indiana. The people who founded it are mostly Laotian. Not sure what tradition to follow. I'm still learning.

Laos is one of the main centres of Theravadan Buddhism,alone with Sri Lanka,Vietnam,Cambodia, and of course Thailand.
Laotians have also a strong streak of Animism in their daily life.

Hi roadrunner,

When I came here for the first time I was just a "Buddhist Book" practitioner. Being here I learnt a lot more reading the ]http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/img/smilies/grin.gif[/img]

dunno how close any of these places are to you, but I found a few:

http://www.gardrolma.org/

Don't know the center, but apparently it is connected with HE Garchen Rinpoche and it looks like he'll be visiting in July. imho, there are not many better spiritual guides out there than Garchen Rinpoche. Tibetan tradition: Drikung Kagyu

http://columbusktc.org/

Have done several retreats with with resident Western teacher there. He is fairly traditional and I like him well enough. Tibetan tradition connected with Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje, Karma Kagyu lineage.

http://www.indianabuddhist.org/contact.html

Don't know anything about them, their website stated some connection with Dalai Lama, would think you can't go wrong there. Tibetan tradition.

Apparently, I tend to find things related to the Tibetan tradition. Not surprising since I think very highly of it. Will post anything else I come across. I would think there would be some Zen centers around b/c they seem to be everywhere. I really don't know anything about Indiana. Good luck with your search!

THank you everyone. I went and visited there today. I was the only non-Laotian person there, so it was a bit awkward at first. Everyone was very kind. I spoke to the monk who was there. He said they are very new and want to support the practice of the Laotian community, as well as educate newcomers on Buddhism. he said their emphasis for now is the 5 precepts.

They gave me a booklet to read. They told me they are all about each persons personal growth. And in following the precepts to find a way to follow them that makes me happy and doesn't cause suffering. So it was a nice experience. I hope to go back this week while on my vacation.

Sounds good.

Ahh, vacation. http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...ilies/grin.gif Cannot wait to start mine.