Buddhist Christmas climax: Dhammakaya, LA

The original Dhammakaya is in Buddhist Bangkok, but Los Angeles has one, too. VISIT

WHAT HAPPENED?

It was a beautiful moonlit night, though Luna (Soma) did not appear until just after the ceremony officially wrapped up, low to the southeast and reddish. One hundred and ninety Buddhist monastics from about 13 Buddhist countries came together from a cross-cultural, multi-school spectacular. Dhammakaya is a kind of loving cult that is all about giving dana in expectation of rich rewards here and hereafter. It is a big movement in Theravada Buddhist Thailand, boasting the largest Buddhist monument in the world, a spaceship (deva vimana) looking structure out by the Bangkok Int'l Airport topped by a million golden Buddha statues. Quietly nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the American international meditation center (DIMC) is a peaceful place to meditate the Dharma-body way.

Dhammakaya meditation

Dhammakaya literally translates from the Pali as "Dhamma body." The focus of this meditation is not the breath but a visualization of a small crystal ball entering the nostril (right for males, left for females), traveling to seven points in the body, and coming to rest two finger widths above the navel. This clear magic crystal, a kind of nimitta or produced image, vibrates along the way. Its sound emanation or mantra is samma arahan. This literally means "right full-enlightenment." The crystal starts at the nostril for three repetitions, moves up the nose to the corner of the eye for another three, slowly moves to the center of the skull for another three, down behind the throats, and so forth. Instructions are offered free on weekends. Donations (dana offerings) welcome.

Cult?

(Cori Ander) I went to the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple, Thailand's most controversial sect

We never thought of the place as an actual cult -- though the many women who surround the place wearing white, do act awfully strange and suspicious, very "nice" but always watching and on edge -- until self-appointed investigative reporter Cori Ander went out and paid the mother center a visit. She doesn't find much, but there are scandals and rumors of scandals, mainly to do with money. If the SGV is a hollow (valley or canyon) then this temple complex is just a holler from the largest Mahayana Buddhist temple complex in the western hemisphere against the hill to the southwest, Coming West Temple.

“Hsi Lai Temple, translated as 'Coming West,' is dedicated to spread the [mostly Mahayana] teachings of the Buddha to the Western hemisphere and help people find inner peace and happiness in their life. It devotes its effort in providing everyone in the society with joy, hope, faith and service.” More: hsilai.us

Dhammakaya Azusa Meditation Activity Teaser (Azusa, Los Angeles County, DIMC.info)

• Where in LA County is Azusa, CA? (Asuksa-nga)

The three sacred events celebrated by Vesak - Relics ceremony Vesak Day 1 (Huong Dao)

Vesak night at Dhammakaya is a spectacle

May 2026 is a special occasion because Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Bodhisattva) was born on the "Full Moon Day in May," and it's also the day he later became enlightened, and the same day he reclined into final nirvana. This is, therefore, "Buddhist Christmas" but as a thrice blessed day, it is even more significant. This year, because May 2026 has two full moons (according to the Gregorian Calendar forced on us), gives us two opportunities to practice and celebrate. Wisdom Quarterly is teaching at the Eight Precept Fasting Day at the Sri Lankan North Hollywood Temple (Sarathchandra Vihara) by day and attending a grand ceremony representing all Buddhist countries in Los Angeles at the Thai Theravada monastery Dhammakaya in Azusa. Both events are free and open to all.

• Vesak Day 2026: A Celebration of the Buddha (FREE TICKETS), Sunday, May 31, 6:00 pm-8:45 pm, Azusa, Los Angeles (Eventbrite)
• ‘Buddhism in Spanish is here’: the Latino monks building a unique community | Los Angeles | The Guardian
• Please join Sarathchandra Buddhist Center | Facebook
• Village Poets of Sunland and Tujunga: Poetry at historic Bolton Hall, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 4:30-6:00 pm (feree)

(Phra Nicholas Thanissaro) Vesak (Vesakha) in Azusa, Los Angeles

• Dhammakaya Meditation system
• Global Buddhist Network (DMC)
• Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Bangkok

Try Vesak differently this year | Colombo - Vesak Day alms offering @ Wat Phra Dhammakaya

✨️Vesak Day, Dhammakaya Temple, Thailand #Vesak2024 - Vesak Day 2026 USA

Vesak Day 2 Peace Pain Meditation Ven. Maha Phommasan - 🌕 Vesak turning point, Colombo

Las Vegas Vesak | Nevada Buddhist Vihara | 2026Coming West Temple

Temporary ordination for one Rains Retreat

What is a Rains Retreat? | Learn Buddhism

Observing the Vassa – the Annual "Rains Retreat" – Nalanda Buddhist Society

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(Nick Keomahavong) Many people are looking for the opportunity to become Buddhist monastics, especially Buddhist monks at Thailand's Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Temporary ordination

All ordination is temp up to enlightenment

There is a specific program for international practitioners who want to become monastics for a few days or weeks is called IDOP, which is short for the International Dhammadayadas Ordination Program.

This program gives Westerners the opportunity to live and train as Theravada monastics. The program is in English and welcomes males from all over the world, not limiting itself to Buddhists.

Once the temporary 30-45 day ordination program is completed, the temporary monks enter the three months Rains Retreat or Phansa or Vassa at Prachinburi Province.

The Rains Retreat is a time for them to continue their monastic training, living a life of Dhamma and meditation.

Life for them slows down as they experience what it is like to truly live the life of a monk. This video was created to give an exclusive inside look and education into what is the annual three months Rains Retreat is like for all Theravada Buddhist monks.

American nun Ven. Tathtaaloka

Thailand also has maechis, or "Eight or Ten Precept Nuns," for females motivated to become monastics. These options are rarer than the traditional male samaneras and bhikkhus. But recent developments have restored even FULL ordination for women in Theravada Buddhist countries so that they can live out the life the Buddha made possible by establishing the Dhamma (Dharma) for their benefit just as well as that of males.

• FREE Video-Led Meditation Retreats: 🔶 nickkeomahavong.com/retreats
• Nick Keomahavong, What is a Rains Retreat? March 6, 2020; Pat Macpherson (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Thai Buddhist Temple Tour, LA (5/17)

Azusa Thai Buddhist Temple Tour

What used to be rural became suburban: DIMC

Explore the Los Angeles County City of Azusa's history through the historic MacNeil House. Visit the Thai temple and meditation center preserving its cultural heritage.

The Buddhist temple is called the Dhammakaya International Meditation Center (USA), and the tour is:

• Saturday, May 17, 3:00-4:00 pm (PDT)
• Dhammakaya Int'l Meditation Center
• 865 E. Monrovia Place
• Azusa, Los Angeles, California 91702
• By donation.

This exists in Los Angeles, in the United States?

ABOUT: The Azusa Thai Temple Tour lasts one hour. Dhammakaya is a Thai Theravada Buddhist temple and meditation center in Azusa, nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Come immerse in the serene atmosphere of this retreat from the city and explore the preserved 20th century architecture of Old Azusa, back when the city used to be a citrus grove.

The meditation center sits on the property of The MacNeil House, a beautiful historic landmark built in 1932 by Louise Slauson MacNeil, the daughter of Azusa Founder Jonathan Sayre Slauson.

Dhammakaya meditation is a special technique near the navel

Dhammakaya main hall, Azusa, SGV, LA

From this home, Slauson operated the Azusa Foothill Ranch, a citrus farm that was a key regional orange producer from 1910-1946. The building is designed in the Italian Renaissance style with ornate upper roof balustrades.

Quoins on the edge of the building’s adjacent wings mimic stone building techniques that were used in ancient Rome. The multi-paned grille windows in the middle of the mansion are designed in the Colonial Revival style popular in 1932.

In 1947, the Jesuit Order of the Society of Jesus took ownership of the estate and established the Manresa Retreat center on the grounds.

Since 1997, the Dhammakaya International Meditation Center has been honored to play a role in preserving this cultural and historical landmark of Azusa, California.

Secular Peace Point Meditation at DIMC

During the tour, participants will have the opportunity to learn about Dhammakaya's meditation technique, which promotes inner peace and tranquility. Get to experience its relaxing benefits in a short meditation session.

Friendly guides will share fascinating insights into Thai culture and Theravada Buddhism, providing a unique cultural experience.

Stroll through the peaceful gardens and enjoy the tranquil ambiance.

Schedule

• 3:00 pm - Introduction to the history of the Center
• 3:15 pm - Walking tour of the historical MacNeil House building
• 3:25 pm - Visit the main meditation hall, rose garden, retreat grounds
• 3:40 pm - Short meditation session in the MacNeil House Library
• 3:50 pm - Refreshments in the dining hall
• 4:00 pm - Departure to return again soon

Questions? Contact DIMC at (626) 334-2160. For more information, check out website at dimc.info. For secular meditation classes, visit Peace Point Meditation. More: Eventbrite

• Azusa Thai Temple Tour Tickets, Sat, May 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

It's Buddhist Christmas: VESAK 2025

Full moon appearing to mark the Buddha's life

The full moon day in May is called VESAK and signifies the day Siddhartha Gautama was born, became the Buddha (the "Enlightened One"), and made an end of all further rebirth (by attaining final nirvana). This thrice blessed day all took place on the full moon of the ancient month of Vesakha, roughly equivalent to the Gregorian calendar's May. (It varies every year). This year it falls on the 12th; therefore, most Buddhist temples in America will celebrate it on Sunday, May 11th, to fall closest to it. But in reality it will be celebrated all month long in various Theravada Buddhist temples, monasteries, and nunneries. One of the largest and most well-conceived celebrations happens in the suburbs of Los Angeles in the small town of Azusa (which boasts that it has everything from A to Z in the USA, but the word Azusa is really an ancient place name for a Native American Tongva village, just like Pasadegna, Topangna, and elsewhere all across LA County and beyond).

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  Vesak in Long Beach, May 17, 2025

  Celebrations continue throughout the country and world. This Sunday (May 18, 2025) the Los Angeles Vihara, now located in Covina (after being established in Hollywood then moving to Pasadena), will hold a massive cultural program in honor of Vesak (after last Sunday's Uposatha or Full Moon Lunar Observance Poya Day Eight Precept meditation retreat). The Vihara is now the mindfulnessmeditationcenter.org but now distributes the latest information on WhatsApp rather than Facebook or the website. The event is free. Wear white in honor of longstanding Southeast Asian Buddhist tradition, extending back to the time of the historical Buddha.

WHAT HAPPENED?

It was a 100-mile odyssey in a steel chariot pulled by more than 350 horses, too far to walk.

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We traveled on across Los Angeles (from Pasadena to the Valley over to Hollywood then east and further east) to visit five Buddhist temples in search of holiday festivities, finding three active ceremonies:

• Nepali Buddhist/Hindu Temple (Shree Pashupatinath and Buddha Mandir for Buddha Jayanti) in Norwalk, a city in Los Angeles County on the eastside. From there we traveled north up the 605 Freeway and east to the
• Mindfulness Meditation Center of Covina (the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara, which began on Beechwood under the Hollywood Sign decades ago, moved to Pasadena for another decade or more, then landed in a massive property deep in the San Gabriel Valley with plans for a large stupa monument) to observe the Eight Precepts (Poya Day, Uposatha, for a serious lunar observance, as distinct from next Sunday's more festive cultural event to celebrate the Buddha's birthday, great awakening, and final nirvana) then on to our evening destination:

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  Peace Point Meditation at DIMC, Azusa

  Dhammakaya International Meditation Center, Azusa, to sit with 100 Buddhist monks from a dozen different Buddhist countries and at least 20 Buddhist nuns from all over. It is a strange spectacle in a very green forested area. Due to the cooling heat wave, it felt like being at a resort in Thailand, White Lotus style, with giant imperial Roman banners topped by golden eagles hanging in the distance, as if the Nazis had organized the 1936 Olympics only for Hitler's ego to be trounced by American Jessie Owens. So spectacular is the ceremony that it is shown live on TV in Thailand. Dressed in white, we take our seats as the monastics enter two by two in a long line, drone cam and boom cameras catching it all. The mayor gives a speech in honor of Mother's Day, a science professor named Dr. Gautam Somethingorother delivers a short speech on how much meditation has helped him and how depressed and troubled scientists are without spirituality, Vietnamese monks chant in unison, a representative of Hsi Lai (Going West) Buddhist Monastery from the other side of the San Gabriel Valley (hsilai.org), chants in the style of Taiwanese Fo Guang Shan Buddhism, donations are made to the Sangha by special guests (lots of gift-giving all the way around, as is the custom in Buddhist Thailand), then a giant circumambulation around one of two large golden Buddha statues ensues, while chanting traditional Pali language verses. Finally, candles are lit and we repeat words of loving-kindness (metta) led by a senior monk to bless the entire world. All the while, all the Thai women have their phones out to document their spiritual journey with selfies as if these grand dames were teens. Then gifts and snacks are distributed to the hundreds in attendance, who go off into the clear summer-like spring night. It seemed as if the only SoCal Thai monastery not in attendance was Tan Jeff's (American Ajahn Geoff's) Wat Metta because Ven. Thanissaro badmouthed Dhammakaya and doesn't get invited anymore. Ah, that's just like the Tan Jeff we know. More
• Vesak is celebrated all month long at temples across US!

Come celebrate the Buddha's birth, great awakening, and passing into final-nirvana

The inclusive international Buddhist flag

Sunday, May 11 Vesak (Visakha) Day: Come celebrate (open to all) through the lighting of lanterns, meditation, and a candlelight procession. many Buddhist disciples will be dressed all in white and keeping the Eight precepts for the 24-hour period in observance of the most special uposatha (lunar observance) of the year.

• Sunday, May 11, 5:30-8:45 pm PDT
• Dhammakaya International Meditation Center
• 865 E. Monrovia Place
• Azusa, Los Angeles County, California 91702

Vesak Day: A Celebration of the Buddha

Who was this incomparable human being?

Join us at the Dhammakaya International Meditation Center for a joyous celebration of Vesak Day! This in-person event is a wonderful opportunity to honor the life and teachings of the historical Buddha.

On this special celebration of the Buddha, Dhammakaya welcomes more than 150 Buddhist monastics from 12 Buddhist countries and traditions to join together as a united Sangha (spiritual community), including monastics from

• Burma (Myanmar)
• Taiwan
• China
• Tibet
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Laos
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Japan
• Thailand.
• (Dhammakaya is a Theravada Thai vihara).

Buddhist monks practicing for calm and insight

We will join in group meditation, sangha-dana (offering of necessities to the monastics), light lanterns to illuminate the meditation lawn, and participate in a candlelight walking meditation.

Vesak Day is a time for all to unite and reflect on the profound impact the Buddha has had on the world. Come and be a part of this meaningful celebration!

• Questions? Contact Dhammakaya at (626) 334-2160.

For meditation classes, visit Peace Point Meditation. For more Buddhist events, visit dimc.info.

SCHEDULE

• 5:30 pm - Registration
• 6:55 pm - Procession of international Sangha arrives
• 7:00 pm - The presiding monk lights the ceremonial lantern and welcome speeches
• 7:10 pm - VIP speeches
• 7:20 pm - Sanghas’ chanting
• 7:30 pm - Sangha-dana offering ceremony
• 7:50 pm - Metta or "Loving Kindness" Chanting for Humanity
• 7:55 pm - Meditation
• 8:05 pm - Candlelight circumambulation
• 8:20 pm - Candle lighting ceremony
• 8:35 pm - Spreading Loving Kindness
•  8:45 p.m. End of ceremony

• Peace Point Meditation, Dhammakaya (Eventbrite); Religion for Breakfast; Bhante, Dhr. Seven, Kelly Ani, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

What do Buddhist monks do? (video)

Nick Keomahavong; Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Who are monks and what do they do?

(A Life of a Buddhist Monk Documentary, April 25, 2019)

Buddhist monks need to be calm and serious.

Buddhist monastics (bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, monks and nuns) are shrouded in mystery, but there is no reason for this. They are open and approachable. Let's not bother them. Let's take a look at them behind-the-scenes.

They are secluded, almost invisible, hidden from the Western world. This short documentary is an attempt to allow a brief glimpse into the life of a monk (life being similar but harder for female ascetics) and a look into a monastery.

Tudong novices in Northeast forest tradition

The monk's life may be misunderstood by many, so this video gives us an exclusive look into that world. It answers questions like, Why monks do the things they do, why does anyone ordain, and how does one train oneself?

Speaking from first-hand experience, the monk's training and monk's life are NOT easy. No self-development is easy. Making a commitment to a disciplined regular practice is NOT easy. But that said, each day we continue to make a choice to pursue this path to enlightenment.

Enjoy this look into a private and exclusive life of self-development. Please feel free to leave thoughts in the comments' section.

Interested in ordaining through the International Dhammakayada Ordination Program (IDOP)? Download a free guide below. Apply online at ordinationthai.org.

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IDOP: What is the Ordination Program?

The International Dhammakayada Ordination Program, or IDOP, gives individuals the opportunity to become temporarily ordained Buddhist monks. The temple is located at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the world’s largest Buddhist temple in Pathum Thani, Thailand. This is approximately one hour from Bangkok near the international airport. The address is 40 Mu 8, Khlong Song, Khlong Luang Patumthani 12120, Thailand.

Why ordain at Dhammakaya?

They ordain at Dhammakaya for many different reasons, essentially to have an authentic experience of life as a Buddhist monk in an environment that preserves the 2,600-year history of monastic life in the Buddhist sangha. “Peace is the essence of happiness, and that essence is the true nature of all beings.” The benefit of training as a monk in IDOP is the effect of experiencing the inner essence and peace that exists in all human beings through the practice of Dhammakaya meditation.

Trip to Deer Park Monastery (video)

Ananda, Dhr. Seven, Ellie Askew, Jen B. (Dharma Meditation Initiative); Conscious Living TV; Crystal Q. (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

A welcoming sign at Deer Park Monastery near hidden mountain.

Dharma Meditation Initiative took a SoCal "Buddhist Circuit" trip that started with the oldest Sri Lankan temple, the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara in Pasadena, then over to the new Thabarwa Nature Meditation Center in Baldwin Park, the enormous Burmese Progressive Buddhist Association in Azusa, next to the garden paradise Dhammakaya International Meditation Center, the largest Thai temple around, Wat Padhammachart in La Puente (watpala1.org), then down the 15 Freeway to Thich Nhat Hanh's Deer Park Monastery in Escondido (Spanish for "hidden") for its occasional "Day of Mindfulness" (as the video shows) before returning north with a layover at Wat Metta, the American "avocado grove monastery" of Thai origin, to catch the daily "Q & A" with Ajahn Thanissaro (Mr. Geoff DeGraff). It was a brief but insightful closer to a day of mindfulness.

Conscious

VIDEO: "A Visit to Thich Nhat Hanh's Deer Park Monastery" (Summer 2017): Travel with Conscious Living TV to Deer Park Monastery, a sustainable Buddhist monastery started by Thich Nhat Hanh in the hills of Escondido, California and learn their simple daily meditation practice and how they are living off the grid with solar power and bio-diesel.

Vesak: Buddha's Birthday celebration (May 29)

DIMC; Ananda (Dharma Meditation Initiative), Crystal Quintero, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly

Dhammakaya Int'l Meditation Center, Azusa

Dhammakaya International Meditation Center (DIMC) is a Theravada Thai Buddhist center. On this sacred night, people from every Buddhist tradition participate. FREE.

Vesak Day (the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment day, and passing into final-nirvana day) is the most important holiday in Buddhism.

"World peace through inner peace"

It commemorates the life of the historical Buddha marking the anniversary of three major events in the Buddha’s life that all occurred on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month called Vesak.

Come participate in a Peace Point Meditation and candle-lighting ceremony. Dress in white. RSVP FREE.

Ancient stone relief of early Indian Buddhists (monks on the left, a lay couple on the right, with statues behind them) circumambulating a stupa (reliquary) in a chaitya temple (wiki).

Dharma Meditation Initiative - MARC.ucla.edu - DisclosureProject.org

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SCHEDULE

Design we will lay out with lit candles

• 6:30 PM Registration
• 7:00 PM Welcome by presiding monk, brief speech by honored guest
• 7:15 PM Offering of requisites to monastic community (Sangha), chanting and blessings by Sangha
• 7:40 PM Meditation
• 8:00 PM Candlelight circumambulation
• Lighting of ceremonial lanterns
• Candlelight Vigil for World Peace
• 8:30 PM ceremony ends/commemorative gifts for all

Arrangement of chairs, clad in white, in front of Dhammakaya Center, Azusa, 2017 (WQ)

Vesak: Buddha's Enlightenment Day (May 10)

Dhammakaya Azusa; Amber Larson, Ven. Karunananda, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The Dhammakaya International Buddhist Meditation Center in Azusa is the size of park

Learning Dharma-body (Dhammakaya) meditation in the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Mun is easy, easier than the more direct "mindfulness of breathing" (anapana-sati)

• Peace Lantern Lighting Ceremony
• Vesak Day, May 10, 2017, 6:00-8:45 PM
• Dhammakaya Int'l Meditation Center
• 865 E. Monrovia Pl., Azusa (LA), CA 91702
• Reserve FREE tickets to attend

Trouble in Paradise: To the right is a photo the Thai media does not dare publish for fear of embarrassing the military junta that has taken over Thailand. This is how soldiers treat Buddhist monks at the besieged Dhammakaya Temple, where human rights violations have become legal.

• #RevokeArticle44
• #Dhammakaya
• #humanrights#DSI#Article44