I have been a solitary Buddhist more than 4 years since I could not find a sangha/temple/ meditation meet up group in Los Angeles that I like.
I would love to attend any of those place if that place is serious about meditation and teaching of the Buddha.
My preference is Theravada (I strictly follow the Pali Canon only) but if there is no decent Theravada one, (I tried to find one few years ago and could not find a decent one in LA) I might give it a try on non-Theravada school.
Any recommendation?
Thanks!
Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
The closest Theravada monastery to you that I know of is Metta Forest Monastery. The abbot is Ven. Thanissaro.
There's a thread on this forum with links to online directories of Buddhist groups though I can't find it. I'm sure someone can provide a link.
There's a thread on this forum with links to online directories of Buddhist groups though I can't find it. I'm sure someone can provide a link.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Thanks for your answer.
I revere Ven. Thannissaro.
Listened and read many of his talks and books and donated money to his monastery.
However Metta Forest Monastery is more than 3 hours of drive from my place.
I revere Ven. Thannissaro.
Listened and read many of his talks and books and donated money to his monastery.
However Metta Forest Monastery is more than 3 hours of drive from my place.
Mkoll wrote:The closest Theravada monastery to you that I know of is Metta Forest Monastery. The abbot is Ven. Thanissaro.
There's a thread on this forum with links to online directories of Buddhist groups though I can't find it. I'm sure someone can provide a link.
- tiltbillings
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
What exactly are you looking for?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Serious Buddhist gathering (my first preference is Theravada).tiltbillings wrote:What exactly are you looking for?
Size or shape does not matter.
I want to meet like minded people who are interested in escaping from Samsara.
Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Hi Nobodynobody12345 wrote:Thanks for your answer.
I revere Ven. Thannissaro.
Listened and read many of his talks and books and donated money to his monastery.
However Metta Forest Monastery is more than 3 hours of drive from my place.Mkoll wrote:The closest Theravada monastery to you that I know of is Metta Forest Monastery. The abbot is Ven. Thanissaro.
There's a thread on this forum with links to online directories of Buddhist groups though I can't find it. I'm sure someone can provide a link.
I love to meet Ven. Thanissaro.
But he is 10,000 km from my place!
Meeting him could be a life time opportunity
Normally I travel 150 km to see the monk I like.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
There is a list of L.A. area Thai temples at Thai-LA.comnobody12345 wrote:I have been a solitary Buddhist more than 4 years since I could not find a sangha/temple/ meditation meet up group in Los Angeles that I like.
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Hi.
Thank you so mch for your answer!
I'll try ladharma.org.
Although I'm not sure about http://www.insightla.org.
They seem like a business to me (I could be wrong but it was my impression).
Few years ago, Joseph Goldstein had a 3 hours and a half talk in my area.
If I remember correctly, I think it was sponsored by http://www.insightla.org.
And the entrance fee for that 3 hours and a half of Dharma talk was 175 dollars.
I can't take this kind of thing seriously because if that is not a pure business, than I don't know what it is.
I understand some people make living out of Buddhism but 175 dollars per each person (for only 3 hours and a half of talk) for the entire audience seemed like an indicator that they are not a true follower of the Buddha and I should never get involved with them.
I'm not saying I'm 100% correct on my assessment but that was my honest impression after witnessing it.
I have a tiny youtube channel on Buddhism and I don't run advertisement on those videos although I'm poor at the moment and need money.
That's because I respect the Buddha's instruction that never make Dhamma a business.
So I can honestly say that I'm not being a hypocrite here.
Thank you!
Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
I would have to agree. That's ridiculously expensive.nobody12345 wrote:And the entrance fee for that 3 hours and a half of Dharma talk was 175 dollars.
I can't take this kind of thing seriously because if that is not a pure business, than I don't know what it is.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Hi SarathW.SarathW wrote:Hi Nobodynobody12345 wrote:Thanks for your answer.
I revere Ven. Thannissaro.
Listened and read many of his talks and books and donated money to his monastery.
However Metta Forest Monastery is more than 3 hours of drive from my place.Mkoll wrote:The closest Theravada monastery to you that I know of is Metta Forest Monastery. The abbot is Ven. Thanissaro.
There's a thread on this forum with links to online directories of Buddhist groups though I can't find it. I'm sure someone can provide a link.
I love to meet Ven. Thanissaro.
But he is 10,000 km from my place!
Meeting him could be a life time opportunity
Normally I travel 150 km to see the monk I like.
Yeah, I would love to visit great monks from various locations.
However, I am working 7 days a week (I'm a medical translator, working at home) and my financial situation does not allow me to take time off to visit remote places.
I can't even afford summer vacation at the moment.
So I just have to do daily meditation and if I get lucky, maybe visit some decent Buddhist gathering in my area.
Last edited by nobody12345 on Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Thank you for your answer.culaavuso wrote:There is a list of L.A. area Thai temples at Thai-LA.comnobody12345 wrote:I have been a solitary Buddhist more than 4 years since I could not find a sangha/temple/ meditation meet up group in Los Angeles that I like.
However, if I'm not mistaken, they talk in Thai.
Do you know any Thai temple around here that gives a Dhamma talk in English?
I have not known any but would love to know if there is one.
- lyndon taylor
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
If you are willing to deal with potential language problems, there are traditional south east Asian Therevada temples all over the southern California area, a lot of refuge communities of Cambodians and Lao, and a lot of immigrant Thai was well, the biggest Thai temple in the area is I think Wat Thai in Los Angeles, a lot of immigrants, temples markets etc in the Long Beach area. In all of LA I'm pretty sure you could find at least one that offers introductory talks in English.
The talks will usually be in their language, but some of the monks are usually fluent in English though not always the head monk, If you frequent the temples you will find former monks, now lay people, very knowledgable and happy to talk about Buddhism.
The talks will usually be in their language, but some of the monks are usually fluent in English though not always the head monk, If you frequent the temples you will find former monks, now lay people, very knowledgable and happy to talk about Buddhism.
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John
http://trickleupeconomictheory.blogspot.com/
http://trickleupeconomictheory.blogspot.com/
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
Thanks for your answer!lyndon taylor wrote:If you are willing to deal with potential language problems, there are traditional south east Asian Therevada temples all over the southern California area, a lot of refuge communities of Cambodians and Lao, and a lot of immigrant Thai was well, the biggest Thai temple in the area is I think Wat Thai in Los Angeles, a lot of immigrants, temples markets etc in the Long Beach area.
The talks will usually be in their language, but some of the monks are usually fluent in English though not always the head monk, If you frequent the temples you will find former monks, now lay people, very knowledgable and happy to talk about Buddhism.
I did not think about that possibility.
I will contemplate on your advice.
- lyndon taylor
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Re: Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?
I really appreciated getting a more Asian traditional form of Buddhist teaching through immigrant temples, the main thing is you have to be good at understanding people who speak with strong foreign accents in simpler english, if this is a real problem for you, it may not work, however most of the people at the temple speak at least some english, and many of the younger people are completely fluent in English and their accent not as strong, having been raised in America. However the younger people may be less knowledgable about the religion. Its really little harder than understanding you waiter at the Thai restaurant!!
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John
http://trickleupeconomictheory.blogspot.com/
http://trickleupeconomictheory.blogspot.com/