First Time Visitors
For many, a trip to Dinh Quang Temple is their first time at a Buddhist temple. Below you’ll find some descriptions of what you can expect to experience.
When is the temple open for visits?
The temple and grounds are open to the public during our scheduled services: Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Please be aware that our monastics and leaders have many responsibilities and may have limited time to interact with you during these open hours. All other visits to the temple, including requests for tours or interviews, are by appointment. Please contact Venerable Thay (temple email) or Giac Vien (English-speaking services email) for any special requests. You can also check our calendar for special events and updates.
What should I wear?
We welcome everyone to dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Some people enjoy wearing formal clothing as an expression of their practice, while others prefer informal clothing. (If you plan on sitting on a cushion on the floor or bowing with full prostrations, make sure your clothing can accomodate that movement.) You’ll also notice many of our members wearing grey (Vietnamese-speaking service) or brown (English-speaking service) temple robes.
As a gesture of respect for traditional Vietnamese Buddhist culture, we also invite you to wear clothing that covers your skin from below the knees to the neck, especially within the Buddha Hall. (T-shirts are fine.) Thank you!
Where should I park?
The main parking lot is at the rear (north) of the temple. You’ll also see the main entrance to the temple here, including an accessible ramp. Additional handicap-accessible parking spaces are available on the east side of the temple.
What about shoes?
We invite everyone to remove their shoes, especially inside the Buddha Hall. Shelves for shoes can be found on the wall next to the restrooms. For convenience, slide-on slippers are also available to wear in the Dharma Hall.
Where should I sit?
Meditation cushions are available for those wishing to sit on the floor. Pews are available along the walls, and you are welcome to bring a chair from the Dharma Hall. Please sit in a way that is comfortable to you.
What happens in the English-speaking chanting services?
We begin by gathering in the Buddha Hall, mindfully standing and facing each other. The bell is invited three times, as we come back to the present moment. A small bell is then invited; we bow to each other and then turn to the main altar and bow to the Buddha. We then begin our service; if you’d like to look ahead, you can access our service book HERE. You are welcome to participate in whatever way feels most appropriate to you, from simply observing to fully joining in.
Why do you bow so much?
Bowing is an expression of the Buddha’s teachings, a way of showing gratitude, respect, humility, and care. During our services, you will notice our members bowing in different ways, from full prostrations to a simple nod. Similarly, we greet both our teachers and one another by bowing with our palms together and saying “Namo A Di Da Phat” (“Homage to the Buddha of Infinite Light”). It is an additional way to remember and practice the insight that all beings have the capacity for awakening, cultivating wisdom and compassion. You are welcome to join us in these practices, but please only bow if you are able and want to do so.
Why do you repeat the same services?
Our services include expressions of gratitude and respect, teachings, mantras, dedications of merit, and other elements that are central to Buddhist practice and help us train our hearts and minds in cultivating wisdom and compassion. The greater our familiarity with these practices, the more available they become to us during our everyday lives. This is also part of creating conditions in our lives where insight and transformation can arise. Rather than an obstacle, the repetition becomes a path; through the years, our appreciation for these services deepens with our understanding and love.
What about meditation?
Meditation is an important part of the Buddhist path, and we provide opportunities for formal meditation during our services. We usually sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Although sitting meditation focused on the breath is the most commonly known practice, you may also be invited to practice walking meditation, Buddha-name recitation, tea meditation, metta meditation, guided meditations, and other techniques. All of these approaches have a place in the Buddha’s teachings for transforming suffering into insight and awakening. They can help us train the heart-mind, cultivate wisdom and compassion, develop concentration, and support our deepening commitment to walking the Eightfold Path.
What happens at a Dharma class?
We usually being class by offering three bells: one to return to the present moment; a second to enjoy mindfully drinking tea (or other drink); and a third to prepare our minds for hearing and applying the Buddha’s teachings. The teacher then presents a Dharma lesson, often using a sutra or a Dharma book, followed by a guided discussion focused on deepening our spiritual practice. To support our daily practice, reflection questions and practices are usually shared by email through our Google Group.
How can I practice mindfulness at the temple?
We are grateful to have a place to practice dedicated to cultivating wisdom, kindness, compassion, and joy. Our time at the temple is a chance to enjoy this support and offer it to one another. This can mean many things, including: minimizing distractions, such as putting phones on silent and removing hats; following the lead of others in honoring Vietnamese and Buddhist customs, such as removing shoes and dressing modestly; helping with cleaning up, from putting away cushions to washing dishes and wiping tables; and practicing with and acting in the spirit of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The emphasis of our practice is not about doing something special or unusual as much as it is about living our normal, everyday lives with a deep awareness, filled with curiosity, wisdom, gratitude, and goodwill. Rather than thinking of mindfulness and respect as a list of rules and expectations, we invite you to enjoy the opportunity to slow down and come back to the present. From putting away a cushion to drinking a cup of tea, we can open up to and receive each moment as a gift.
Can I take photos?
Yes, you are welcome to take photos throughout the temple and grounds. However, we ask that you do not walk onto the stage of the main Buddha altar or move around any items or altars. Additionally, please ask others before taking a photo of a person, since some in attendance may not wish to have their faces shown on social media, blogs, or elsewhere.
Can you help with my school project?
We welcome students and do our best to accommodate requests for interviews and resources. For special requests, please email Giac Vien.
Thank you!