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

Good luck magic: Buddhist Sivali worship

Katha of Ven. Sivali, the patron saint of travels

(Amulet City) Oct. 30, 2022. How the Theravada Thai Buddhists worship Phra Sivali (the enlightened Venerable Sivali). Every Thursday, other than the usual offering of flowers, they place a glass of water with nine pieces of white jasmine flowers into a glass water. They do not put the flower wreath around the statue but put them into a clean tray or offer stalks of flowers in a vase. It is important to provide honey, preferably pure raw honey. They burn nine incense sticks and recite the following incantation:

Namo tassa Bhagavato arahato samma sam-buddhassa (3 times). They then chant this katha nine times to honor Ven. Sivali:

Sivali, Ja Maha Thero, Devata, Na, Rapuchito, Soraho, Paccayatimhi, Arhang, Wantami, Tang Satdar, Sivali, Ja Maha Thero, Yakkha, Deva, Phipuchitoh, Soraho, Paccayatimhi, Arhang, Wantami, Tang, Satdar, Sivali, Thera Kunang, A-tang, sothi, Laphang, Phawantu Mae.

May Ven. Sivali bless you in every thought, in every deed, in every word you say and protect you.

"Enlightenment" (short Thai TV film)

EPYX via epyxsite.com; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Girl troubles. Even monks got 'em. It's not what it looks like. He's trying to help her. Really.

Enlightenment: Thai TV movie (full film)

EPYX (Thailand), July 1, 2017

I saved you. - Naff off! - Don't you know it's wrong? - How the F would I know that?

  

A wandering ascetic Buddhist monk journeys into the forest in search of enlightenment (awakening, bodhi). It's not so easy. There are roadblocks and diversions. What this celibate monastic finds is a pretty girl trying to commit suicide. Her story leads him into a deep cycle of karma (the ripening of past actions in the present). He has to fix this loop for her sake as well as his own. But ain't nobody got time for grrrl troubles. Will he ever gain the enlightenment he seeks?

Songkran: Happy Buddhist New Year! (4/28)

Ashley Wells, Crystal Q., Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; LAist.com

Western tourists love super-welcoming Thailand, the jewel of Buddhist Southeast Asia.

What's a Spring Festival without some innocent water splashing? Have fun Thai style.

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Songkran New Year Festival

The Buddha, Sukhothai, Thailand

Thailand follows the oldest form of Buddhism, called Theravada or the "Teaching of the Elders," the "elders" (theras) being the enlightened direct disciples of the historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, often referred to as Shakyamuni, the "Sage (muni) of the Shakyians (Scythians)."

The Thai New Year coincides with the arrival of spring -- as in most parts of the world for most of history, including the West -- and Songkran celebrates goodwill, love, compassion, and thankfulness.

Why is it called "Songkran"?

Songkran 2019 (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty)

(Wiki) The term Songkran is derived from the Sanskrit saṅkrānti. It refers to the traditional New Year celebrated in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, parts of Northeast India, parts of Vietnam, and Xishuangbanna, China. It begins when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, as reckoned by sidereal astrology. It is related to the equivalent Hindu calendar-based New Year festivals in most parts of South Asia, which are collectively referred to as Mesha Sankranti. More

Thai Town, Hollywood, Los Angeles

Remember to throw lots of water at people. It won't be Songkran unless it's very wet.

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The Thai festivities celebrated at Los Angeles' Wat Thai included a water blessing at the Buddha statue by Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as chanting, building sand pagodas and castles, classical Thai music, prayers, dance, arts and crafts -- and, of course, Thai food. It was earlier this month at the large Thai Buddhist temple in North Hollywood. Sunday's celebration in Hollywood's Thai Town will be much, much bigger. It will be a mile long:

• 

  Please come.

  Songkran Festival/Thai New Year (FREE)
• Sunday, April 28, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
• Hollywood Blvd. between Normandie
• and Western Ave., in East Hollywood

A one-mile stretch of L.A.'s Thai Town will be closed off to traffic for the 14th Annual Songkran Festival. The day features a parade starting at 10:00 am, Muay Thai boxing, a beauty pageant, folk dancing, live jazz, and cultural demonstrations. Lots of Thai foods will be available from local restaurants and food trucks. More

• Coolest events in SoCal this weekend (laist.com)

Death of a Buddhist King: Thailand

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; BBC.com

Spontaneous outbursts of emotion, rare in Asia, have been few and far between as the beloved king's death was expected. There was a vigil in effect for the hospitalized 88-year-old (BBC.com).

 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej (left) with family

This (Theravada) Buddhist king was the world's longest reigning monarch. He was beloved by his people, staying out of politics and war as much as possible. Meanwhile, military coups, business alignments and scandals were brought on by prime ministers and junta generals, which sought his blessing to soothe the people. The law against any kind of criticism of his majesty made him immune to public ridicule. Even an implicit jab or unflattering Facebook post could get one years in prison. Here's the story from the former empire's propaganda arm, the BBC.

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years as head of state.

 

The 88-year-old king was widely revered but had been in poor health in recent years, making few public appearances.

 

He was seen as a stabilizing figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups.

 

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be the new monarch, the prime minister has said.
 
The announcement

The royal Buddhist family tree of Thailand with King Bhumibol on second row (BBC)

After two days of speculation and rumors surrounding the king's deteriorating health, the palace announcement confirming his death finally came early on Thursday evening.

"His majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully," a statement said, adding he had died at 15:52 (08:52 GMT).

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period, that flags would fly half-mast and all entertainment functions must be "toned down" for a month.

• Obituary: King Bhumibol
• A life in pictures
• King Bhumibol's reign - in brief
• How King Bhumibol shaped modern Thailand

In a later statement he urged vigilance, saying national security was a top priority.

 

"Everyone will need to be alert in every region and throughout the country to ensure safety," he said.

The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014.

 

A palace official, speaking to crowds outside the hospital, said the body of the king would be moved to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok on Friday.

The people's grief

Visits to Thailand and its many Theravada Buddhist temples are a trip (nattapan72/flickr).

 

New king: Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn

King Bhumibol was widely respected across Thailand, and thought of by many as semi-divine [deva-human hybrid or demigod, which is the possible origin in the West of the "divine right of kings" concept in that the sky visitors ruled humans then left behind their children with human mothers to rule in their place as regents until their return].

Hundreds of mourners gathered outside the Bangkok hospital where he died, stricken with grief at the news. More

• BOOK BANNED IN THAILAND: Unauthorized Biography: The King Never Smiles

VESAK: The Birth, Enlightenment, and Nirvana

Amber Dorrian, Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Wat Dhammakaya (DIMC.net, Azusa)

The greatest and most diverse Buddhist gathering in Southern California (Dhammakaya)

   

Thai Buddha (Camera30f/flickr)

Vesak is one of the most important days in Buddhism. 

 

It is the day when Buddhists come together to commemorate the historical Buddha, the Teachings or Dhamma and the growing community of Buddhists.

Commemorating the day demonstrates our admiration for the Buddha's immense wisdom and incredible compassion.

 

Vesak marks the anniversary of three significant events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana.

 

According to the Thai lunar calendar, Vesak usually takes place in May. But in the case of a year with an extra eighth month (adhikamasa) then Visakha Puja -- the Eight Precept Observance Day for the Month of Vesākha -- is celebrated on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month.

 

This year, Vesak falls on the full moon day of Friday, May 24, 2556 B.E. (2013). However, in some Buddhist countries Visakha Puja may be celebrated on a different day, depending on the time zone.

 

Visakha Puja commemorates three events in the Buddha's life. Incredibly, these three separate events happened on the full moon day of the sixth month in their respective years, when Siddhartha "the Sage from the Shakya Clan on India's northwestern frontier" was age 1, 35, and 80.

• [NOTE: In Asia, a person is "born" at conception and, ten lunar months later, when s/he is birthed from the womb, s/he is considered a 1-year-old].

Birth

Salabhanjika-birth of Siddhartha

When Queen Sri Maha Maya Devi, King Suddhodana’s royal consort, was due to give birth, she traveled to her parent's city of Devadaha, as was the tradition in India and adjacent lands.

 

While on her way home, she stopped to rest under a large sal tree in Lumbini Garden. As she was standing and holding on to a sal tree branch, she gave birth to the prince.

 

The birth happened on the full moon day, 80 years before the Buddhist Era (B.E.). When the prince was five days old, he was given the name Siddhatha (Sanskrit, Siddhartha) meaning "fulfillment" or "wish fulfilled."

 

The news of Prince Siddhartha’s birth spread far and wide, eventually reaching the Hermit Asitha, an acquaintance of King Suddhodana residing in the Himalayas. Hermit Asitha requested a visit to see the newborn.

 

The Buddha (Gandhara)

When he saw the prince, he predicted that he would find enlightenment in this benighted world, discover the Path to Nirvana, and thereby become the Buddha ("Awakened One"). The prince would teach people the way to end suffering and spread love and kindness among humans and devas.

After making his prediction, Hermit Asitha bowed respectfully to the baby prince. When King Suddhodana -- overwhelmed with joy -- witnessed such an astonishing event as a holyman bowing to his son, he also bowed to the prince.

 

Later, King Suddhodana invited eight Brahmin scholar-priests specializing in astrology, to look at the prince and predict his destiny. Seven of them predicted that if the prince were to assume the throne, he would become the Supreme Emperor; however, if he decided to renounce the world, he would become the Buddha.

Kondañña (Kaundinya), the youngest Brahmin, prophesied that the prince would choose the latter path and become the Buddha. He made his prediction because the prince possessed all of the distinguishing Marks of a Great Man. More

June 4th, 2012: Int'l VESAK in Los Angeles

DIMC.net, Asuza, Los Angeles; Wisdom Quarterly, "Buddhist Year" 2555 B.E.

Vesak 2011 (2554) outdoor altar, monastic seating area, under Moon (Wisdom Quarterly)

AZUSA, California - Dhammakaya, Thailand's international lay Buddhist meditation movement, is celebrating Vesak in the foothills above Los Angeles and Orange County.

• What is the full moon "Vesak"?
• PHOTO GALLERY (2554 B.E.)

The DIMC (Dhammakaya International Meditation Center) annually makes a strenuous effort to invite Buddhist monks and nuns from every tradition across the Southland.
  

Monastics from Thailand, Tibet, Burma, Nepal, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, America, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and elsewhere have been invited to participate in free festivities that will include 1,000+ white-clad lay Buddhists.

• ALL are welcome to attend this thrice blessed commemoration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and final nirvana.
• LOCATION: 865 E. Monrovia Pace, Azusa, CA 91702
• INFO: (626) 334-2160

The Journey of [Two] Buddhist Nun[s]

SUNY Press; Dhammawiki.org; Wisdom Quarterly (Thai Forest Meditation)

Beautiful Uppalavanna was one of the Buddha's four "chief disciples." She was "foremost in psychic powers," the counterpart to Maha Moggallana, just as the nun Khema was "foremost in wisdom" and the counterpart to Sariputra (hocloiphatday).

The Journey of One Buddhist Nun: Even Against the Wind recounts the struggle of a young Thai woman to become a Buddhist nun [in a sexist country] and the challenges and rewards of that life.

Below we also examine the life of a young American woman pursuing the same goal in the USA.

This is the gripping story of Wabi, a young Thai woman who sought a religious life, struggling to overcome obstacles along the path.

She left her rural Thai village at 17 to become a fully ordained Buddhist nun in a land where religious men (who are encouraged to become novices and monks) are honored and religious women are scorned. Despite everything, Wabi wanted to learn Buddhism, meditate, and develop a profoundly spiritual life.

She traveled to a monastery in Bangkok, where she had heard she might be able to pursue her dream. But on arriving she found she needed money to become a nun -- money she didn't have.

American Theravada Buddhist nuns in California with Abbess Ayya Tathaaloka

Moving from difficulty to difficulty, Wabi finally found a home at a convent of Buddhist nuns, where she developed close friends, an education, and a vibrant meditation practice.

As Wabi's life unfolds on the pages, readers are introduced to the background needed to understand Buddhism, Thai culture, the particular impediments women face in Southeast Asia, and the rewards of a deeply spiritual life.

Buddhist philosophy, texts, and meditation techniques come alive as we learn the roles each played in Wabi's life.

Western readers will be particularly interested in the description of Wabi's vivid, formative meditation experiences.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction (1) A Young Buddhist Goes Forth, (2) Who Gets to Drink in the Dhamma and How, (3) A Friend in Need, (4) The Beginning of a Crisis in Faith: Harsh Speech, (5) Hellfire and Karma, (6) Like a Corpse-Filled Bowl: Meditation and Maechi, (7) A Heart Defeated in Faith: Crisis and Loss, (8) Perseverance and Striving: Resolution of the Crisis, (9) Confidence in a New Way of Living Dhamma, (10) Possibilities and Resolution: Maechi Wabi and the Institute of Thai Maechi, (11) Meditation and Social Work: The Institute and Maechi Leaders, (12) Departure, (13) Conclusion. Plus Appendix Approach, Transliteration, Pronunciation, and Translation, Endnotes, Glossary, Bibliography, Index.

• Ms. Sid Brown, Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of the South, lived in a Thai Buddhist convent while researching the book.
• “…the rich details that [Brown] provides in terms of Maechi Wabi’s experiences is truly commendable.” -- H-Net Reviews (H-Buddhism)"
• An absorbing and unique story. At the heart of it is Wabi's personal spiritual journey, especially as a Buddhist meditation practitioner. The reader also learns a considerable amount about women in Thai Buddhism." -- Donald K. Swearer, author of The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia
• "This book will give readers some good insights into the actual practice of Buddhism today and the difficulties that some women have encountered in trying to live it." -- George D. Bond, author of The Buddhist Revival in Sri Lanka: Religious Tradition, Reinterpretation, and Response

Journey of an American Buddhist Nun
Dhammawiki.com, edited by Wisdom Quarterly
Ayya Tathaaloka is an American Theravada nun (Thai-tradition bhikkhuni) and teacher. Born Heather Buske in Washington, DC in 1968, she began monastic life at age 19.

She first took preparatory ordination (anagarika) at 20 and received the full bhikkhuni ordination in 1997 during a gathering of Monk and Nun Orders (Sanghas) in Southern California.

Since her 2006 Rain Retreat (her 10th following higher ordination), she is eligible to be called Ajahn, the Thai honorific for senior monastics who teach, but she humbly prefers to retain the designation "Ayya."

The venerable nun has studied in Korea, Thailand, and other countries. She teaches around the world, including South Korea's Bhikkhuni Sangha University.

Her mentor, Ajahn Maha Prasert, a monk in the Thai Forest Tradition, and others encouraged her to open the first Theravada women monastics' retreat in Northern California. So in 2005, with a great deal of community support, she opened Dhammadharini Vihara (monastic residence) in the Niles District of Fremont, California, where she serves as abbess.

She was recognized with the 2006 "Outstanding Women in Buddhism" award at the United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand. She also presented a paper at the International Congress on Buddhist women's role in the Sangha, in Hamburg, Germany, August 2007.

In 2009 at the BSWA (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) she was the preceptor for the full ordination of four novice nuns, a ceremony that included the ordination of monks as well with many lay people in attendance. She also participated in the historic full ordination ceremonies (with an all-Theravada ordination of nuns and monks) in Northern California in August 2010.

Struggling in spite of Chinese propaganda: Tibetan Buddhist nun Ven. Tsultrim Lhamo (center), traveling from Lhasa, chats with train attendants (Xinhua/Chogo).

Thai Buddhist meditation in California (FREE)

Wisdom Quarterly (with PHOTO GALLERY), Dhammakaya Buddhist Center (DIMC.net)

The largest public Vesak celebration in the USA is LA's annual Dhammakaya event (WQ).

AZUSA, California - The Dhammakaya ("Dharma-body") International Meditation Center (DIMC) offers classes and retreats on a special Thai Buddhist meditation technique [a combination of relaxation and guided visualization].

It has proved to be both easy to learn and effective. It benefits everyone regardless of age, race, or belief. Those benefits include stress reduction, enhanced memory and mental clarity, body-mind harmony, and the cultivation of a calm and peaceful environment all around a practitioner. It is taught freely to all.

Yoga and Meditation
Gentle yoga stretches are instructed by a certified yoga expert. Following these gentle exercises, participants meditate together under the close guidance of an experienced Dhammakaya meditation instructor, often a Buddhist monk. Activities culminate with a short talk and uplifting sharing by participants. All drop-in participants are welcome to experience the peace and joy of Dhammakaya meditation, which is followed by lunch. Cost? Most classes are FREE. Donations are welcome. [Wear white.]

VISIT: 865 E. Monrovia Place, Azusa, CA 91702. (626) 334-2160, dimc_azusa@dimc.net

Sunday Schedule

• 9:00 am - Relaxation exercises
• 9:30 - Introduction to Dhammakaya technique, meditation practice [guided visualization], loving-kindness practice
  
• 10:30 - Group sharing, Q&A, meditation journaling
• 11:00 - Food offering to Buddhist monks
• 11:10 - Lunch
• 12:30-1:30 pm Buddhist studies (for interested persons)

Photo Gallery
Wisdom Quarterly editors, 2011 Vesak celebration

Dhammakaya is an amazing place, an oasis in the center of a former plant nursery, now a temple complex surrounded by a town within a town.

(During the housing boom, the Monrovia Nursery sold its land to a developer who built an entire village surrounding the temple, between Citrus College and Azusa Pacific University. It is nestled at the main entrance into the East Fork of the San Gabriel River (and Morris Dam, which gives the Los Angeles basin most of its natural water, the rest of it being piped in from the distant Colorado river).

Buddhist monastics from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Burma, Tibet, Japan, Korea, India, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Europe, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Bangladesh attend. It is conducted in English under banners with a meditation for world peace and circumambulation with candles in an awesome spectacle.

DIMC-Azusa is hard to find. But it is an epiphany with sprawling wooded grounds nestled among foothills and ridges in a residential area. Every year, Dhammakaya is the only Buddhist temple in Los Angeles to purposely invite every Buddhist community to its Vesak event commemorating the historical Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana.

In Thailand, next to the Bangkok Int'l Airport, the original Dhammakaya center hosts tens of thousands of monks, nuns (mae chi), and white-clad lay followers. It is the heart of Thailand's mass meditation movement that has taken sitting from the temple into the world.