Tibetan Mongolian
Buddhist Cultural Center
(Bloomington, Indiana)
Most people associate
Buddhism with an exotic
location in Asia when, in fact,
one of the most important
religious centers for Tibetan
Buddhism is located in one of
the most ordinary places in the
United States—Bloomington,
Indiana. This Buddhist complex
includes the Kumbum Chamtse
Ling Monastery, a temple, a
library and a cultural center, all
dedicated to world peace and
preserving Tibetan culture
and religion.
The monastery is home to
several Buddhist monks and
includes a two-room suite for
the Dalai Lama, who has visited
here six times. The main floor
houses the shrine room and the
kitchen, as well as a bookstore
and gift shop for visitors.
The entrance to the shrine
room displays an important
message in Sanskrit: “All who
enter this room should have a
pure heart, so please lay your
negative thoughts and worries
outside this door.” Inside the
room, a display of sacred
objects from various faiths
underscores the temple’s
mission to respect all religions.
In fact, leaders of 11 different
faiths took part in the dedication
of the temple in 2003, and
Muhammed Ali, a Muslim, was
the special invited guest
at that event.
People of all faiths are
welcome to participate in any
of the activities at the Buddhist
Cultural Center, including the
Dharma lessons (teachings of
Buddha), prayer and lunch on
Sunday mornings; meditation
instruction on Wednesday
evenings; the sitting/walking
meditation sessions on
Monday and Thursday
evenings; and yoga instruction
on Saturday mornings.
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