Good Buddhist sangha /meet up/ etc. in Los Angeles?

[Anagarika]

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!

Dear 12345: I understand that your work has you tied up almost 24/7 ( I am sorry you must work so much) but if you could carve out a weekend, you can take the Pacific Surfliner to Escondido, and then transfer to Valley Center, CA. I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance. Why take a weekend to do this? The time you take away from work to be at Wat Metta will likely give you 110 percent of what you are looking for: a traditional Vinaya Wat, with very kind and good young monks, nuns and lay people, all guided by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, who is at the Wat almost all of the time, and who has a daily teaching, chanting and meditation schedule.

In other words, if you can get away, even with your laptop, for a weekend, book a hotel room in Escondido, wake up early and do some work, and then take time each day and/or evening to get over to Wat Metta. The time you carve away will be well worth it.

[nobody12345]

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!

Dear 12345: I understand that your work has you tied up almost 24/7 ( I am sorry you must work so much) but if you could carve out a weekend, you can take the Pacific Surfliner to Escondido, and then transfer to Valley Center, CA. I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance. Why take a weekend to do this? The time you take away from work to be at Wat Metta will likely give you 110 percent of what you are looking for: a traditional Vinaya Wat, with very kind and good young monks, nuns and lay people, all guided by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, who is at the Wat almost all of the time, and who has a daily teaching, chanting and meditation schedule.

In other words, if you can get away, even with your laptop, for a weekend, book a hotel room in Escondido, wake up early and do some work, and then take time each day and/or evening to get over to Wat Metta. The time you carve away will be well worth it.

Thank you for your answer
And what you mean by saying 'I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance'?
You mean, I cannot drive straight to the monastery?
Is that has to do with that area has no signal for GPS service?

[DNS]

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.

Wow, that is expensive. I didn't know they did that. And here I found a "pre-event" of only one hour for the cost of $200 per person

http://www.insightla.org/schedule_detai ... nt_id=1612

It is things like this that make me a born-again believer in the monastic tradition. At monastic temples the teachings are freely given with just voluntary donations.

[culaavuso]

And what you mean by saying 'I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance'?
You mean, I cannot drive straight to the monastery?
Is that has to do with that area has no signal for GPS service?

You can drive straight to the monastery. There is parking available. Be sure to use the directions on the monastery website, since some GPS units and online map services will provide bad directions. The roads are windy, narrow, and have steep grades in places. It can be difficult to spot the turns when driving there the first time, especially if it's before sunrise as would be necessary for the morning services.

If you choose to take public transport, then you will only get as far as Valley Center. In this case it may be desirable to make arrangements in advance so a car can take you to the monastery. Because of the remote location, taxi services are not an ideal option.

[nobody12345]

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.

Wow, that is expensive. I didn't know they did that. And here I found a "pre-event" of only one hour for the cost of $200 per person

http://www.insightla.org/schedule_detai ... nt_id=1612

It is things like this that make me a born-again believer in the monastic tradition. At monastic temples the teachings are freely given with just voluntary donations.

200 dollars per each person for 1 hour talk?
Wow, just wow.
I thought what I saw (175 dollars for 3 hours and a half of talk) was the worst case of making money out of the Dhamma but this new one takes the cake!
Sorry for being blunt but I don't think what they follow is Buddhism.
And I don't think they are Buddhist.
Their action speaks for itself.

[tiltbillings]

Instead of complaining, why don't you guys write to them and ask them about it.

[nobody12345]

And what you mean by saying 'I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance'?
You mean, I cannot drive straight to the monastery?
Is that has to do with that area has no signal for GPS service?

You can drive straight to the monastery. There is parking available. Be sure to use the directions on the monastery website, since some GPS units and online map services will provide bad directions. The roads are windy, narrow, and have steep grades in places. It can be difficult to spot the turns when driving there the first time, especially if it's before sunrise as would be necessary for the morning services.

If you choose to take public transport, then you will only get as far as Valley Center. In this case it may be desirable to make arrangements in advance so a car can take you to the monastery. Because of the remote location, taxi services are not an ideal option.

Thank you so much for your detailed answer!
Does Google Map GPS (for smart phone) service work in that area?
That is the one I use.
And if that doesn't work, it sounds like I have to ask someone to pick me up at Valley Center since I'm terrible at finding road with a regular map.
Do you know who should I contact for arranging that 'pick up' from Valley Center?
Thanks!

[Anagarika]

And what you mean by saying 'I understand that someone from Wat Metta can pick you up in Valley Center if you make arrangements in advance'?
You mean, I cannot drive straight to the monastery?
Is that has to do with that area has no signal for GPS service?

You can drive straight to the monastery. There is parking available. Be sure to use the directions on the monastery website, since some GPS units and online map services will provide bad directions. The roads are windy, narrow, and have steep grades in places. It can be difficult to spot the turns when driving there the first time, especially if it's before sunrise as would be necessary for the morning services.

If you choose to take public transport, then you will only get as far as Valley Center. In this case it may be desirable to make arrangements in advance so a car can take you to the monastery. Because of the remote location, taxi services are not an ideal option.

Thank you so much for your detailed answer!
Does Google Map GPS (for smart phone) service work in that area?
That is the one I use.
And if that doesn't work, it sounds like I have to ask someone to pick me up at Valley Center since I'm terrible at finding road with a regular map.
Do you know who should I contact for arranging that 'pick up' from Valley Center?
Thanks!

Yes, your smart phone GPS should work. Sorry to detail the train route; I read into your post that this might work best for you. Yes, driving is easy, and Wat Metta is not that difficult to find with a GPS. It's within an avocado grove, but just up the road from a high school and off of a residential street. The main road that leads into the Wat property is a bit long and narrow, and as the road doesn't get a lot of traffic, cars and trucks tend to take up the whole road...do be ready to get to your side when another car approaches. There's room, but be aware of this as you drive in for the first time. After a trip or two into Wat Metta, it's easy.

If you need a pick up, go to the website for instructions. http://www.watmetta.org/publicTransport.html

[nobody12345]

Yes, your smart phone GPS should work. Sorry to detail the train route; I read into your post that this might work best for you. Yes, driving is easy, and Wat Metta is not that difficult to find with a GPS. It's within an avocado grove, but just up the road from a high school and off of a residential street. The main road that leads into the Wat property is a bit long and narrow, and as the road doesn't get a lot of traffic, cars and trucks tend to take up the whole road...do be ready to get to your side when another car approaches. There's room, but be aware of this as you drive in for the first time. After a trip or two into Wat Metta, it's easy.

If you need a pick up, go to the website for instructions. http://www.watmetta.org/publicTransport.html

Thank you so much for all the explanation!
I'll go with my smart phone, using Google Map GPS then!
I think it's about time to visit him since I do have a meditation question that I really want to know.

[Anagarika]

Yes, your smart phone GPS should work. Sorry to detail the train route; I read into your post that this might work best for you. Yes, driving is easy, and Wat Metta is not that difficult to find with a GPS. It's within an avocado grove, but just up the road from a high school and off of a residential street. The main road that leads into the Wat property is a bit long and narrow, and as the road doesn't get a lot of traffic, cars and trucks tend to take up the whole road...do be ready to get to your side when another car approaches. There's room, but be aware of this as you drive in for the first time. After a trip or two into Wat Metta, it's easy.

If you need a pick up, go to the website for instructions. http://www.watmetta.org/publicTransport.html

Thank you so much for all the explanation!
I'll go with my smart phone, using Google Map GPS then!
I think it's about time to visit him since I do have a meditation question that I really want to know.

Bring with you written directions. I have a less than fancy smart phone and the GPS works fine in Valley Center, but bring along written instructions, too, just in case. My advice is to get there during the day, as night driving in the area is trickier of you don't know the way. As I said, after a trip or two there, it will be easy, but the first go needs the GPS/map, daylight and patience.

[nobody12345]

Yes, your smart phone GPS should work. Sorry to detail the train route; I read into your post that this might work best for you. Yes, driving is easy, and Wat Metta is not that difficult to find with a GPS. It's within an avocado grove, but just up the road from a high school and off of a residential street. The main road that leads into the Wat property is a bit long and narrow, and as the road doesn't get a lot of traffic, cars and trucks tend to take up the whole road...do be ready to get to your side when another car approaches. There's room, but be aware of this as you drive in for the first time. After a trip or two into Wat Metta, it's easy.

If you need a pick up, go to the website for instructions. http://www.watmetta.org/publicTransport.html

Thank you so much for all the explanation!
I'll go with my smart phone, using Google Map GPS then!
I think it's about time to visit him since I do have a meditation question that I really want to know.

Bring with you written directions. I have a less than fancy smart phone and the GPS works fine in Valley Center, but bring along written instructions, too, just in case. My advice is to get there during the day, as night driving in the area is trickier of you don't know the way. As I said, after a trip or two there, it will be easy, but the first go needs the GPS/map, daylight and patience.

[nobody12345]

Bring with you written directions. I have a less than fancy smart phone and the GPS works fine in Valley Center, but bring along written instructions, too, just in case. My advice is to get there during the day, as night driving in the area is trickier of you don't know the way. As I said, after a trip or two there, it will be easy, but the first go needs the GPS/map, daylight and patience.

Thank you so much for all your help!

[nobody12345]

Since I decided to visit Metta Forest, I contacted Ven. Thannissaro since I have a burning question regarding meditation for some time.
And to my utter joy, he agreed to see me for my question.
I explained him that I have been meditating for 4 years but have a serious issue of meditation and would like to ask questions about it.
I am really glad and grateful that he would answer my question since I have a tremendous respect for him and I consider him as one of the most authoritative noble ones on meditation.
I don't have much time so I'll just drive down there, meditate for few hours and then meet Ven. Thannissaro and then immediately drive back to Los Angeles.
I am increasing the length of my daily meditation session and spending most of extra time to listen to Dhamma talk to prepare myself for this visit.
I feel like I'm a filthy sinner who could defile the holy ground of Metta Forest so in order to be worthy to step on the ground, I'm preparing myself.
Thank you for all your information!!