The monks brought out little caesars pizza when Americans and non Vietnamese visited our temple. I appreciate the respect for other cultures. read more

I happened upon this thru a social app, and was not sure what I would get when I arrived. This is one time (so very unlike me) that I didn't do any research prior to the event; it really was an adventure for me. So, the event that was posted was a Saturday morning meditation in the An Lac Temple. The description details everything you might need to know about what to expect about the session, that it is seated meditation, a walking meditation, and a question/answer session (if you choose to stay). They provide cushions and ask that you wear comfortable but appropriate attire (no legs or shoulders showing and no yoga wear). If you do they warn that they may ask you to come back another day, out of respect for the monks. But, I will admit I wore yoga clothes one day not realizing the rules and I was allowed to stay ( I'm pretty sure that it was the tolerance and Grace given to someone who just doesn't know better). I was really embarrassed in my realization, however glad I wasn't given the boot! I love this beautiful hidden gem, just being there is kind of a peaceful experience. From my arrival, my walk outside toward the front door I felt as though I was already winding down. It has begun; although I didn't know what IT was. I would come to know that the "IT" was called slowing down, a conscious state of being in the now, present. Then taking off my shoes, each time that I attended it was this way, it was as if I were in a totally different place in the world. I mean, most of us aren't accustomed to being in bare socks or feet among strangers. This is kind of a humbling but seemingly appropriate thing to do. Because when I walked in to that front room it felt like a Temple; it felt sacred. I'm not saying this from any religious stand point, all are welcome to this meditation group to practice mindfulness. But, there is no ignoring the beauty. Before you reach the inside of the Temple you first enter the Ancestors Room (something like that, don't quote me), where soft chanting music gently welcomes you to come further inward (in every way actually, interesting). The floor is wood and smooth under your feet and the room is dimly lit, sanctuary-esque. This first room is where the monks and the Buddhists honor their ancestors, and those who have passed. The main area is open and bright, and there are rows of cushions placed on the floor with little wooden trays atop. Giant Buddha's face the room from the raised floor and at the back there is a large gong (not sure if they call it that). It's spacious and open, you feel like you can breathe in there. But, no matter how I describe it, I won't be doing the Temple any justice. So, even if you don't go to a meditation (every Saturday at 10am, free) I think it is a wonderful place to see in Indianapolis... I enjoyed the question and answer each time I went. It was not always about Zen or Buddhism, sometimes the topic was meditating or mindfulness, really whatever the group brought up. It was usually very interesting and enlightening because everyone could participate. It wasn't just question answer, it was nonjudgmental discussion. Quang Pháp, Viet T. Le, known to the group as Viet. He is so nice and accommodating to all; he tries to allow everyone to feel comfortable, explaining the "why" behind the rules and things like that. And moderates the discussions well. PS... Enter the Temple from the back. You will see the shoe rack and you'll know you're in the right place! And if you think you can attend because you have to sit on the floor? You can do like I did and sit in a chair; I've done both due to back problems. read more

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This place is a great place to learn more about buddhism. They are all inclusive and welcome anyone who wants to try it out, learn more, or just observe. There are many monks who live on the premise and help take care of the property. The service is usually on Sundays starting at 10am and afterwards, they serve a vegetarian lunch for free as well. You leave your shoes outside on the front porch and men usually sit on the left and women on the right. For those that don't speak or understand Vietnamese, there are new awesome headphones you can wear to hear what everyone is saying translated into English. You can speak with the monks as some do speak in English. They also offer a class on Sundays that teach Vietnamese for anyone wanting to learn. It is mostly younger 2nd and 3rd generation Vietnamese kids, but anyone is welcome. This place has come a long way in the past 25 years or so from services being held in someone's living room to moving to this property on the corner of 30th and Emerson. It's expanded due to its very charitable group of followers. services and celebrations were held in an old garage and then finally a few years ago the new larger building was built. the property is beautiful mostly in the spring and summer time. any Vietnamese or buddhist holiday there is a special celebration and definitely worth coming to check out, especially Mother's day, Lunar New Years, Buddha's birthday, and the Fall Celebration. Just remember to bow your head out of respect to the buddha, the monks, and really anyone older than you. You'll notice with the sound of the gong it is usually a sign to bow down and pay your respects. They will understand if you don't but it's just the respectable thing to do when entering. The temple does great things for the vietnamese kids in the community and always accept donations, and are doing fundraising events. All food served there is vegetarian and during the large celebrations you can buy some to take home as well! Food is delicious and many times you won't even miss the meat. read more

An Lac Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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The An Lac temple as a structure is very beautiful and spiritually inspiring. The central Buddha in the main hall is the largest in the city as far as I am aware and the temple and grounds are well maintained and inviting. I've attended several different services at the temple. I began by attending the English language only meditation class offered independently on Saturdays by the Indianapolis Buddhist Meetup. I then also have attended the Sunday morning sermons (with English translation) given by the resident nuns and the Vietnamese chanting service which follows that. Of the three, the chanting service was my favorite. I was not familiar with the Vietnamese form but am familiar with chanting the Nembutsu and was somewhat able to keep up. The chanting is far and away my favorite experience offered at the temple. However, if you're new to Buddhism or only have a passing familiarity, I'd recommend not attempting the chanting service. A break between the Sunday sermon and the chanting service is provided if you'd like to attend the sermon alone, though. My experience with the Saturday morning English language meditation class was extremely negative. So I can't recommend that. The leader of that group is not one of the clergy of the temple, but a lay volunteer. The format and information provided during the class were disjointed and eclectic in the sense of being a hodgepodge of different practices and concepts. If you're interested in meditation or if you're interested in the beliefs of various or a particular Buddhist denomination, there are much better resources available to you. You might try the Indianapolis Zen Center near Butler University, the Dromtonpa Kadampa Buddhist Center near Broad Ripple, or the Indiana Buddhist Center on 10th St. near post. All offer better resources and teachers for people new to Buddhism. read more

I've been going to this temple since they first transfer to this location from a small house elsewhere. Once this place was a garage where the old owner fixed up cars...thanks to all the donations over the years, they have built up a really big temple. Pix will be uploaded shortly. It looks like a temple with gates and all. With small pond for fish and classes teaching Vietnamese for children of all ages. I think I need to enroll in a class...hahaha and I'm far from being a small child. This temple is run by Buddhist nuns. There are quite a few of them and I think there are a few that speaks English. If you go to the service they have Sundays, they have headphones you can wear that translate the teaching into English so you can follow along the discussion. Very nice for my non-Vietnamese husband. There are a growing following here of non-Vietnamese. They also sell vegetarian food every Sunday during and after service. The money goes into building and remodeling the temple along with living expenses for the nuns as they reside at the temple. Though service isn't every day but temple is open. You can request to come in and bow to Buddha or meditate. read more

An Lac Temple - Main hall - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Just a couple of additions/corrections to the wonderful reviews below. Thu N., the first reviewer said that "there are many monks who..." Actually, there are no monks at An Lac Temple but there are many nuns who live there. All the additions to the large new temple mentioned by the second reviewer, Christie M., have been accomplished so come a see the large entrance gate and iron fences around the property. There are adult classes in Vietnamese for the "English only" adult crowd which is growing each week. It may be due to the fact that meditation classes are offered in English on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. read more