This review is about my experience staying at the Temple for few nights, not the meditation sits,…read morewhich were great! Years back, I had stayed few days at the Zen Buddhist Temple, which was ran by this nice lady monk who had since moved. Because I had a phenomenal and transformative experience, I decided to come back for a second retreat! When I came back, the Temple was ran by a male monk from Korea (could be the same monk now, not sure), and I left there with an uncomfortable and unpleasant time. Reflecting on this, I realized that there were certain assumptions that the male monk failed to inform me, before I checked in. I don't want to go into exact details of what those issues were because I don't want to ruin people's view of the Temple. But, if you have any plans to stay at the Temple overnight, ask what rules and expectations are for guests, especially when it comes to the access and use of the kitchen...

Very welcoming and friendly experience. We were introduced to the meditation center from a friend…read moreand will continue to go. I highly recommend if you are looking for a Zen Buddhist temple.

For the Lunar New Year, upon our parents request my friend and I blistered this snow storm and…read morevisited some temples for the new year to pray for a great 2014. I heard about this temple briefly from an elderly man I met on a flight to Chicago from California. This temple was easy to find, but there isnt much content about it online, so i'm glad i'm creating a search for this temple on yelp!! From the outside the temple looks very plain, but instead its a huge eye opener! It has a huge praying room and an individual room for those who recently passed away. In addition to the praying rooms, in the back theres a mini school where Sunday school is held to learn to speak/read/write Vietnamese, martial arts, lion dance and traditional dance. A great community center with a lot of amenities and resources for all ages. Since it is the Lunar New Year, the temple has been cooking all weekend long vegetarian and vegan food for all the guest. Best part, its all free!!! I stuffed my face with delicious veggie noodle soup, tofu, veggies and desserts! I was informed that every Sunday from 11am (after the second praying session) until they close they offer free food for all attendees, but this weekend due to the special occasion its going on all weekend. All of the people here at the temple were SOOOO FRIENDLY! A lot of them made an effort to converse with us. They also gave us a tour and prayed with us individually. This temple has a true sense of family. I think I found my resident temple between the two temples I went to today! CHUC MUNG NAM MOI!

As a beginner to meditation, I felt very comfortable and received thoughtful and complete…read moreorientation before starting. Have been to both the temple and a meditation series in the Osaka garden and completely enjoyed both. Definitely a community to look into if you find yourself addicted to distraction or constantly unsatisfied and looking for the next thing to feel fulfilled!!

Welcoming and friendly! Our mediation at the temple was lovely and the environment inviting…read more Wonderful experience.

I started coming here for meditation in January 2011 and found a wonderful group of people and a…read moregentle and inspiring meditation teacher. It's a great setting for a range of interests, whether the goal is to have access to more secular meditation help or to practice more directly in a Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The founder and teacher are really intelligent about contextualizing practices and teachings for people who grew up in the west, so there's access to a really rich tradition but always with clear translation. The resident teacher has a phenomenal meditation background and a range of visiting teachers come through to give special programs. There are introductory workshops on a regular basis, and an introduction to the posture and basic meditation practice is always offered at the beginning of any session. I also liked the atmosphere here because I want to contribute financially and help out but am sometimes broke or strapped for time. The feel of the center is really open and there is never any pressure, so I am able to contribute when I can but never feel bad about how much to give or participate, so I can keep up a regular meditation practice throughout.

From the owner: Bodhi Path offers instruction in meditation and Buddhist philosophy, through weekly seminars, study…read moregroups, and periodic events by visiting teachers from around the world. Also, monthly 1-day retreats and monthly dharma movie screenings.

I have been here years ago for the Japanese classes. The folks were really friendly and I liked the…read moreteacher a lot. They use Japanese for Busy People as their text, though, and having taken Japanese in high school and college, JfBP isn't a book I like for language learning. Classes were affordable, and they were laid back too. I enjoyed my time learning here.

This place is fantastic! I can't remember the last time I felt more welcome. They do a fantastic…read morejob of guiding you from the moment you step in the door till after the service. It is also structured similar to a Christian service so I didn't feel like a complete fish out of water. If you are curious about learning Buddhism this is a great place to start!

Nice, peaceful atmosphere. Kelsang Dorje takes Dharma teachings and applies them to practical use…read morefor today. It was as if he knew exactly what i was going through. Meditation bliss in a fun part of town!

This is a wonderful place. They are warm and welcoming and people from all walks of life attend…read moreservices. Their workshops, classes and events have really invigorated my spiritual practice.

I use to go to meditation sessions there on Friday nights with my wife, Ajahn Tappekorn was usually…read morethere, he was very good at guiding our sessions, and very accomadating to my crazy schedule. This is a great place!

Excellent temple, well cared for, went on several wkend retreats there, very comfortable. I highly…read morerecommend it.

Although I was born in Chicago as half Swedish (father's side), half Sicilian (mother's side), and…read moreBaptized as Roman Catholic - I was raised as a Zen Buddhist. And the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Old Town was the place of meditation and Japanese culture where I and my family went most often. Because we lived in Lincoln Park less than a mile away. I was privileged to have this place be so prominent throughout my young life. It is a wonderful part of my heart. Annually the Midwest Buddhist Temple puts on it's traditional "Ginza Festival", at which there are food stalls, shopping tents, artisan demonstrations, and live music & dance performances on the temple's large outdoor stage.. Occasionally the Midwest Buddhist Temple offers classes in Japanese dance & music, as well as scheduled live performances. The temple is also the home of Chicago's famous "Ho Etsu Taiko".

It was their Ginza Holiday annual event! They had lots of food vendors and crafts! Performances on…read morethe main stage by Minyo dancers, Taiko drumming, Martial arts demonstrations and other groups. It was very entertaining!

You must visit this beautiful Nichiren Shoshu temple. It's hondo (Gohonzon Room) is magnificent and…read morepeaceful. And, you absolutely MUST take the opportunity to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to its Joju Gohonzon to receive the ultimate benefits of peace, happiness, eradication of bad karma and eventually enlightenment. The grounds that surround the temple are also beautiful and serene. Chief Priest, Rev. Kato and Assistant Priest, Rev. Hinaro are warm and welcoming. Their happy smiles are infectious. You are made to feel welcome and at home at Myogyoji Temple. My experience there was very positive yesterday when I visited after a 12-long trip from Tokyo, Japan (and during an 11 hour layover) before heading to Miami, Florida. I will definitely visit this temple again whenever I return to Chicago.