Imitation? I think not! We have a Larampa Geshe teaching here with annual visits from the abbot of…read moreSera-Je Monastery in India. We have both male and female ordained sanghas. Our founding members are almost 60 year students, very experienced, silver and long in the tooth! We also have very well-educated former monks and nuns who have both academic and life experience with all Buddhist traditions, and who have studied extensively-as visas allowed-in Asia and been ordained in more than one tradition. This is a Tibetan Buddhist center in the Kadam/Geluk tradition. It is a good place for study, but not for steady group meditation. For regular sitting and sesshin, go to Chapel Hill Zen Center to sit Soto Zen. No personal attention or guidance is given here, as you experience during Zen sesshin and Vipassana retreats, unfortunately, and that is a real loss. Catch as catch can. This is the best we have for Buddhist studies in the Raleigh area. We are a satellite of the FPMT, originating from Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu Id say we are as much an imitaton as any Dharma Center in the West could be called an imitation of its founding tradition's culture. Hope that helps to clarify the "imitation". If you really seriously want and need a good recipe for making a Buddha, you will find it here.Take time, because its a huge, deep and profound kettle of fish. A two thousand year old tradition at your doorstep. Because its wonderful and it works. Come and see! If nothing else, its good to be a well-educated, "Renaissance Man or Woman". And the art is worth seeing and learning about for itself.

To understand Kadampa Center, it might help to know about little about the spread of Buddhism into…read morethe West and into North America. In (very) short, Tibetan Buddism and Zen (born from Japanese and Korean traditions) all are part of Mahayana Buddhism - one of the two main sects of Buddhism. "Yana" translates to "vehicle" in English which partially explains how and why this particular type of Buddhism spread so well in America - a largely Judeo-Christian country very familiar with the conduits of "spreading" faith and ideas. Now, this center is a small and simple place of practice and worship. It's budget is small, and it relies heavily on small member contributions. They have a resident teacher as well. He's Tibetan, very highly regarded, but speaks in a heavily accented voice with an intermediate grasp on English. Still, he has been there for a long time and is very much a part of Kadampa. Aside from the regulars, the visitors or attendees generally range from the curious to the disenchanted Christians who want to learn more about Buddhism. They are genuine in their desire to change themselves and learn. Personally, I have a hard time attending here. For me, part of Buddhist practice deals heavily with aesthetics, location, and environment. Having practiced Buddhism for years in Korea, I can't get over the disconnect between the message, the location, and the ambiance with the peaceful bliss of silent temple or mountain meditation. For an extreme lack of a better word, it comes across as an imitation. That being said, it is the only English-speaking Mahayana site in the Triangle (there is one in Chapel-Hill but it is different on all fronts), and we need it. The more it grows, perhaps, the better it will get.

I've been a member of the Zen Center of North Carolina since 2021! This is absolutely the place to…read morego in North Carolina if you're at all interested in Zen Buddhism, sesshin, or a more present lifestyle in general. The grounds are beautiful, the sangha is kind and helpful, and there are often events and classes going on both on weekdays and weekends. I used to come here all the way from Charlotte for retreats, and I loved it so much that I eventually found a job in Pittsboro in order to be closer. I hope you can find solace here as well!

There is no better place to practice meditation, seek peace, and find community in Pittsboro.read more

I've only been to 2 IBPS temples (one in Hacienda Heights in California and this one). I have to…read moresay though, this one is much smaller than the one in Hacienda Heights, making it more intimate and giving it more of a cute community feel. It's very nice inside; lots of windows and natural lighting throughout the day. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming. So, even if you're not Buddhist, you should go visit it!!!

Have been twice and was greeted warmly both times. It's a mindful and peaceful space with beautiful…read moregrounds.

Before I start, let me preface this by saying I have spent a lot of time at temples all across Asia…read moreand have also been to handful of temples in the US. In many of the cases, I did not speak the host-site's language, but for me it was just as rewarding as Buddhism is just as internal and personal as it is external and engaged. Aside from some basic greetings, this temple is run in 100% Vietnamese. I should also say that I generally visit this site for meditative reasons and have not actively sought to join the local Vietnamese Buddhist community represented here. Now, let's talk about this temple. First of all, it's still under construction and from what I can tell, will be completed once a larger, free-standing temple is constructed in the neighboring lot. That being said, there is a ranch-style house connected to a large meditation room where services are held. The services, conducted in Vietnamese, are held at 9am and 11am on Sunday mornings, however, people seem to be there most of the time. When you pull up, there is usually some form of music playing -sometimes it's wind-chimes and other times it's chanting. I generally make my way to the back of the temple where there is a large garden filled with statues of Buddha. There you will find statues honoring/representing significant events in Buddha's life (renunciation, enlightenment, first teaching and entry into Nirvana. There are also pagodas, a small mausoleum and a statue of a Bodhisattva. If you keep making your way to the back, you will come across an excellent pagoda sitting in front of a swamp. It's perfect for Buddhists and naturalists who see immense beauty in the barren yet lively swamps. I usually do my prostrations there and meditate for an hour or so. No one ever bothers me or is pushy. I will continue to visit this temple and perhaps update once I know more about the community. I gave this four stars because I have yet to engage many of the people and feel it would be wrong to give it five without first doing that.

This is Thai and Lao temple! Love this temple. They always have service on Sunday starting at…read more10:30 am

I've been driving past this place at least once a week for the past 2 years, and I've always wanted…read moreto check it out. Finally got there, although it wasn't to attend one of their meditation services (Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays). I came by on a Sunday afternoon, and it appeared to be deserted except for a couple of people doing landscaping to the already lovely gardens. They told me to feel free to wander around and to go inside if I wanted, which I did. The horses next door were very interested in what I was doing, and they kept me company for part of the stroll. After removing my shoes, I went inside the new dharma (meditation) hall. What a gorgeous, organic space it is! Bamboo floors, rich wood and glass walls, curved wooden ceiling, and an adobe-like back wall. Such a serene, harmonious setting, perfect for meditation, tai chi, and other spiritual pursuits. I will be back.

A warm and serene atmosphere here at the Won-Buddhism Meditation Temple. There is a lovely garden…read moreout back, with a horse stable next door, and the temple itself is made right from the earth around it (local mud and wood is what I'm sayin'.) If you'd like to stay for a service, you will be treated to chanting, meditation, stretching, and sharing of thoughts. No one is pushy, everyone is welcoming, and happy to answer any questions you have about this religion (and I had a few.) I find my center here, now. And am glad I discovered it. They're always looking for volunteers to help with the upkeep, so earn some karma points and help out!

Lao New Year Celebrations are always lit. Sadly, COVID-19 has since put a hold on our communal…read moregatherings for now. Looking forward to the day it's safe again to celebrate with one another. In the meantime, here are shots I've taken of past celebrations! The community is a welcoming one. There's plenty of food to pick from vendors who bring their own items in like skewered meat, pho, egg rolls, and papaya salad. Otherwise, there's usually a table full of other Lao dishes to eat that doesn't cost anything, although a donation to the temple is highly encouraged as it's run entirely on donated money. There is also a traditional parade of dance and music in which pageant girls are paraded around on a float and water is thrown at people, which is super fun. Especially for the kids. Again, all this happens during the Lao New Year celebration. It's not an everyday occurrence.

Love the location, food and concerts there but some what disagree with cost to get in for any…read moreevents such as New Year and July 4th and many other events. I think most would agree a charge of certain amount per car is better than per person or maybe some donation as you wish. Consider for a family of 5 is almost $100 already before food and drinks once you're inside. Something to consider for event organizer.