# Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple


## Posts

- [Excerpt: The Boundless Ocean of Merit](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/11/08/excerpt-the-boundless-ocean-of-merit/): The following is an excerpt from Now is the Time to Practice, chapter 5: “All Obstacles Disappear.” Perceiving the boundless ocean of merit,Samantabhadra holds nothing for himself.Jeweled lotus flowers fall like rain;all obstacles disappear.     For most of my life, I’ve lived inland, among streams and lakes. I visited the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans once each as I grew up; both were special occasions. I then had the joy of living near oceans in both northern California, USA, and later in Cambodia. Although I love both, there is a different feeling between dangling my feet in an Ozarks’ stream and […]
- [November Day of Mindfulness](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/10/22/november-day-of-mindfulness/): Photo: members of the Dharma Teacher order, including Su Co Phap Lan and Reverend Elena-Hoang Lien, at a recent retreat with the Most Venerable Thich Tri Hoang. Namo A Di Da Phat We are moving the date of our monthly Day of Mindfulness (usually the third Saturday of the month) to November 22, 2025. We are happy to welcome Su Co Phap Lan and Reverend Elena-Hoang Lien to join us as we practice together. We are also celebrating Avalokiteshvara Day on Sunday. In order to facilitate the Saturday class for the Buddhadharma Studies Institute of the Dharma Teacher Order, we […]
- [Dinh Quang Kitchen for Vu Lan 2025](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/08/31/dinh-quang-kitchen-for-vu-lan-2025/): Chùa Định Quang tổ chức nấu thức ăn chay nhân dịp Lễ Vu Lan 2025. Đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để thưởng thức ẩm thực truyền thống Việt Nam và hỗ trợ các hoạt động của chùa. Quý khách vui lòng sử dụng thực đơn bên dưới (tiếng Việt và tiếng Anh) để đặt hàng trước ngày 10 tháng 9 năm 2025. Thời gian nhận/giao hàng dự kiến ​​là ngày 13 tháng 9 năm 2025. Xin chân thành cảm ơn sự ủng hộ của quý khách! The Dinh Quang Kitchen has returned for Ullambana! This is a wonderful opportunity […]
- [THƯ MỜI LỄ VU LAN BÁO HIẾU](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/08/29/thu-moi-le-vu-lan-bao-hieu-2/): THƯ MỜI LỄ VU LAN BÁO HIẾU Kính thưa toàn thể quý đồng hương phật tử, Trung nguyên ngày hội Vu lanBến giác chiều thu sóng đạo ngànNhững ai là kẻ mang ơn nặngĐều vận lòng thành đón Vu lan. Chùa Định Quang sẽ long trọng tổ chức lễ như sau: Chủ nhật ngày 9/14/2025 6:00 am: Tụng Kinh Lăng Nghiêm9:00 am: Thỉnh Đại Hồng Chung10:30 am: Đại Lễ Vu Lan Báo Hiếu12:30 pm: Cúng Chư Hương Linh1:00 pm: Dùng cơm trưa thân mật3:00 pm: Cúng thí thực và hoàn mãn Chúng tôi kính mời quý đồng hương Phật tử […]
- [Join us for Ullambana (Vu Lan) 2025](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/08/29/join-us-for-ullambana-vu-lan-2025/): INVITATION TO THE ULLAMBANA CELEBRATION & ROSE CEREMONYSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 Dear members and friends of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, On behalf of the Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, we respectfully invite all Buddhist practitioners to attend the celebration of Ullambana at our Temple. Registration and meals are free. Please save your time to come for the celebration: SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 6:00 a.m.: Chanting the Surangama Sutra9:00: Great Bell chant and meditation10:30: Ullambana Celebration and Rose Ceremony12:30 p.m.: Ancestors’ Offerings1:00: Offerings to the monastic Sangha3:00: Hungry Ghost Ceremony Wishing you peace and health in the Buddhadharma! “In Vietnam, on the holiday of Ullambana, […]
- [Honoring our Teacher's Teacher](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/08/19/honoring-our-teachers-teacher/): CÁO BẠCHHoà Thượng THÍCH HẠNH HOAPháp danh THỊ VINH, Hiệu HUỆ LIÊNViện chủ tổ đình Phước Lâm, phường Hội An Tây, TP. Đà NẵngĐã viên tịch vào lúc 8h00 ngày 25 tháng 6(nhuận) năm Ất Tỵ (18/8/2025)Trụ thế 75 năm, 45 hạ lạp.Lễ nhập kim quan: 19h30 ngày 25 tháng 6 ( nhuận) năm Ất Tỵ (18/8/2025)Lễ di quan: 06h30 ngày mồng 29 tháng 6 năm Ất Tỵ (22/8/2025). Nam Mô Tiếp Dan Đạo Su A Di Da Phật, Chúng con Phat Tu Chua Dinh Quang, Springfield, Missouri, Kinh xin danh lẽ giấc linh Hoà Thượng cao đăng Phật Quốc. […]
- [DTO applications are open](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/07/06/dto-applications-are-open/): “The human body, at peace with itself, is more precious than the rarest gem. Cherish your body, it is yours this one time only. The human form is won with difficulty, it is easy to lose.” ~ Tsongkhapa, c. 1357–1419 The Buddhadharma Studies Institute of the Dharma Teacher Order is now accepting applications for admission to its 2025-2026 Dharma Studies course. Please visit Buddhadharma Studies Institute web site to learn more about this exciting program and how to apply to join us.Students who complete the four year program receive a Certificate in Buddhist Studies. An audit option is also available. You are encouraged to share […]
- [Join us as we celebrate the Buddha's Birthday!](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/05/05/join-us-as-we-celebrate-the-buddhas-birthday/): Join us as we celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday, May 11, 2025 / Buddhist Year 2569. To celebrate the Buddha’s birth is also to celebrate the source of life and love. To remember his love and understanding is also to dedicate our practice to benefit all beings. Dinh Quang Temple invites you to join us as we offer gratitude and respect for the boundless Compassion of the Buddha at our: Vesak Celebration10:30 AMSunday, May 11, 2025  Program:10:00 am:            Gathering at the temple10:30 am:             Vesak Service12:00 pm:            Buddha Bathing Ceremony 2:00 – 5:00 pm:     Hungry Ghost Ceremony We respectfully invite all Buddhists to set aside time to celebrate, practice the Buddha’s teachings, and offer sincere […]
- [Safety During the Storms](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/04/29/safety-during-the-storms/): Namo A Di Da Phat Dinh Quang Temple would like to express our sincere prayers and goodwill for the safety and wellbeing of everyone who experienced the heavy storms and tornados today. We are grateful that there were not more injuries and even fatalities during some dangerous times. Please reach out to one another as we seek to offer and receive support and care, including for everyone facing the difficulties that come with natural disasters. For those who are able, Master Thay has invited us to help with the continued cleanup of the temple grounds after the storm. There are […]
- [Thank you for joining us at Regional Vesak!](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/04/28/thank-you-for-joining-us-at-regional-vesak/): Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in the Midwest Sangha’s Regional Vesak, hosted by Quan Am Temple! Kết quả vé số trúng thưởng Đại Lễ Phật Đản Trung Tây Hoa Kỳ:giải khuyến khích: 13536giải Ba: 11169giải nhì: 11422đặc biệt: 13471 We spent Saturday celebrating together, complete with a parade with floats, lion dances, and performances by member temples. Our celebrations continued on Sunday, gathering to recite the precepts, chant, pay homage, and hear and practice the Dharma as a community. Our ceremonies ended with the ceremony for bathing the Baby Buddha and offering gifts of gratitude and respect […]
- [Join us for our Regional Vesak celebration! (4/26-4/27)](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/04/06/join-us-for-our-regional-vesak-celebration-4-26-4-27/): The Midwest Sangha and its member temples joyfully invite you to join us at Quan Am Buddhist Temple in Kansas City, Missouri on April 26 and 27, 2025, as we celebrate Vesak together! We have not had the opportunity to celebrate a Regional Vesak gathering since the onset of the pandemic, and we are happy to return to this practice. Our regional gatherings are wonderful opportunities to reconnect, meet new friends, celebrate Vietnamese Buddhist culture and practices, and deepen our own practice. NOTE: Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple will be closed on 4/26-27 to make it possible for as many people […]
- [Join us at the Ozarks Festival of Faiths!](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/02/24/580/): Namo A Di Da Phat  This upcoming Saturday, March 1, will be the Festival of Faiths at University Heights Baptist Church (on the corner of National Ave. and Grand St.), from 2 to 5 pm. This is a city-wide project (more info at their website). From their Facebook announcement:  “During the third annual Ozarks Festival of Faiths we are having a diaper drive to support the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks. Bring cloth or disposable diapers as well as adult incontinence products and drop them off as you enter the Festival! All donations will be delivered to the Diaper Bank of […]
- [Guest Post: Beginning the New Year ](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/02/11/guest-post-beginning-the-new-year/): Beginning the New Year by Teresa Myers Last Wednesday night when we met for class we did Beginning Anew, a ritual for helping us put things into perspective and support one another.  The first step is called “Watering Flowers,” and no matter what painful things are happening in and around us it asks us to look for something we can be thankful for or something positive which has happened in our lives. The first thing I thought of to be grateful for was all of the work our Vietnamese speaking community had put into the wonderful food from Dinh Quang Kitchen. […]
- [Xuân Ất Tỵ 2025 đã về](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/02/03/xuan-at-ty-2025-da-ve/): Chùa Định Quang rực rỡ trong sắc mai vàng, hương trầm quyện bay, lòng người an yên đón Tết. Cầu chúc một năm mới bình an, hạnh phúc và vạn sự như ý đến tất cả mọi người 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
- [Our Teacher's New Year Message](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/01/30/our-teachers-new-year-message/): Cành mai, chậu cúc, gợi hồn việt Chữ tết, chữ xuân, nhớ đạo thiêng Apricot branches and chrysanthemum blooms,evoking the soul of Vietnam,invite us to remember the birth of the new year and the blossoming of the sacred path. Our Teacher offered this Lunar New Year message at our celebration on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, welcoming the Year of the Snake and encouraging us to strengthen our practice of wisdom and compassion: Hãy để mùa xuân trở thành cơ hội để ta chuyển hóa thân tâm, trở về với những giá trị cốt lõi của đạo Phật, để từng ngày […]
- [Celebrate Lunar New Year (Tết) with Us](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2025/01/12/celebrate-lunar-new-year-tet-with-us/): Join us in welcoming the Lunar New Year (Tết)! Please join us as you are able as we express gratitude for all the good things and skillful actions that we cultivated in 2024, dedicate our practice to healing the suffering we experienced, and get in touch with skillful intentions for the coming year. Namo A Di Da Phat! 2. Tết Schedule, Vietnamese 3. Tết Invitation & Schedule, English
- ["Now is the Time to Practice" is now available](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/12/15/now-is-the-time-to-practice-is-now-available/): Namo A Di Da Phat In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the construction of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple (2012-2022), we published two books in gratitude for all who have supported our community: our spiritual and biological ancestors, especially in our temple lineage; the members of the Midwest Sangha and our temple communities; our local temple members, friends, and all who have supported Dinh Quang Temple through generosity of time, effort, resources, and care. We are especially grateful to our teacher, Ven. Ty Kheo Thich Thong Chanh. Now, a third book, Now is the Time to Practice: Dharma Reflections inspired by […]
- [Celebrating Amitabha Buddha Day](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/12/15/celebrating-amitabha-buddha-day/): We were happy to celebrate Amitabha Buddha today, December 15. Each year, we chant Amitabha Buddha’s great vows, practice prostrations, and practice Buddha recitation: Nam Mô A Di Đà Phật. (Our English-speaking service begins on page 36 of our service book.) After our practice, our Dharma class is dedicated to studying and learning Pure Land practices. These skillful means help us train the heart-mind to understand the conditions that support cultivating wisdom and compassion, leading to Awakening, relying on the boundless merit of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions – especially Amitābha Buddha, Kuan Yin (Quan Âm) Bodhisattva, […]
- [LỜI TÁN THÁN CẢM NIỆM ÂN ĐỨC TỔ SƯ](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/12/10/loi-tan-than-cam-niem-an-duc-to-su/): Sư phụ của chúng tôi đã đọc những lời sau đây trong buổi lễ tưởng niệm tôn vinh người sáng lập dòng truyền thừa của chúng tôi, Minh Hải Pháp Bảo. Kính bạch Giác Linh Tổ Sư. Mùa thu Ất Hợi thuở xưa, Tổ Sư, vân du kinh đô Đại Việt, khai diễn giới đàn, rồi sau đó về Hội An, vì hậu bối khai sơn chốn Tổ, Mùa Đông Giáp Thìn 2024 Năm nay, chúng con kính cung thỉnh, Chư Tôn Đức Tăng, chư tôn đức Ni, quang lâm về Chùa Định Quang, tác lễ Báo Đức Thù Ân, […]
- [In gratitude to our Enlightened Patriarch](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/12/10/in-gratitude-to-our-enlightened-patriarch/): Our Teacher offered the following words as part of our memorial ceremony honoring our lineage founder, Minh Hai Phap Bao. WORDS OF PRAISE IN REMEMBRANCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL ANCESTOR We respectfully bow in gratitude to our Enlightened Patriarch. Many years ago, in the autumn of the year of the pig, the Patriarch traveled to the capital of Dai Viet and held an ordination ceremony. He then returned to Hoi An for the sake of his descendants, to establish the birthplace of our lineage. This winter, in the year of the dragon 2024, we respectfully invite the Venerable Monks and Nuns […]
- [Lineage Celebration Program](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/12/02/lineage-celebration-program/): Namo A Di Da Phat The Venerable monastics and Zen masters of the Lam Te Chuc Thanh Temple lineage in the United States are happy to invite you to Dinh Quang Temple to hold a memorial and gratitude ceremony honoring the founder of our lineage on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, 2024. You can download a pdf of the program in English & Vietnamese HERE. Saturday, 12/7/24:6:00 Am: Chanting the Shurangama Sutra (Vietnamese)7:30 Am: Breakfast9:00 Am: Inviting the Great Bell; morning chanting & meditation (English)10:00 Am: Presentation by Most Venerable Thich Tri Hoang & Most Venerable Thich Dong […]
- [Local Resources for Springfield](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/11/24/local-resources-for-springfield/): The Library has provided the following list of resources for Springfield, Missouri. We share it here as a way to support our efforts to practice in and with our larger community. Thank you to Dustin for extracting content for a text and Braille-friendly pdf version! (Download it HERE.) Thank you all for your compassionate presence and practice in the Ozarks! Namo A Di Da Phat -end-
- [Support our Temple Lineage Celebration](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/11/03/support-our-temple-lineage-celebration/): Namo A Di Da Phat We are preparing to host our temple lineage celebration this year on December 7 and 8, 2024. We’ll have more than 50 monastics joining us, as well as guests from member temples across the United States. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our lineage, cultivate gratitude and respect for our ancestors and sangha, celebrate our community, and dedicate merit to the liberation of all beings. If you are interested and able to support our temple community and the Midwest Sangha in hosting our Lam Te Chuc Thanh lineage celebration, we welcome your help! […]
- [Volunteers Needed](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/11/03/volunteers-needed/): Namo A Di Da Phat We are preparing to host our temple lineage celebration this year on December 7 and 8, 2024. We’ll have more than 50 monastics joining us, as well as guests from member temples across the United States. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our lineage, cultivate gratitude and respect for our ancestors and sangha, celebrate our community, and dedicate merit to the liberation of all beings. If you are interested and able to support our temple community and the Midwest Sangha in hosting our Lam Te Chuc Thanh lineage celebration, we welcome your help! […]
- [Welcome to Venerable Thich Nu Gioi Huong](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/08/28/welcome-to-venerable-thich-nu-gioi-huong/): Namo A Di Da Phat This Wednesday evening, August 28, 2024, we are happy to welcome a visiting monastic to Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, the Venerable Thich Nu Gioi Huong. She is the founder and abbot of Huong Sen Temple in Perris City, California. She was “born in 1963 in Binh Tuy, became a nun at the age of 15 with Venerable Hai Trieu Am. In 1994, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Saigon. She studied abroad in India for 10 years and graduated with a PhD in Buddhist Studies from Delhi University in 2003. In 2005, she […]
- [THƯ MỜI LỄ VU LAN BÁO HIẾU](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/08/18/thu-moi-le-vu-lan-bao-hieu/): THƯ MỜI LỄ VU LAN BÁO HIẾU VÀ BÔNG HỒNG CÀI ÁO Chủ Nhật Ngày 8/09/2024 Kính thưa toàn thể quý đồng hương phật tử, Tháng bảy chiều thu lá rụng vàngẤy mùa báo hiếu lễ vu lanNhững ai là kẻ mang ơn nặngĐều vọng tâm thành đón vu lan. Chùa Định Quang sẽ long trọng tổ chức lễ như sau: Chủ Nhật ngày 8/9/2024: 6:00 Am: Tụng kinh Lăng Nghiêm9:00 Am: Thỉnh Đại Hồng Chung và Ngồi Thiền10:30 Am: Lễ Vu Lan Báo Hiếu-Bông Hồng cài áo12:30 Pm: Cúng cầu siêu thân phụ Thầy trụ trì và chư hương […]
- [Celebrate Ullambana (Vu Lan)](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/08/18/celebrate-ullambana-vu-lan/): INVITATION TO THE ULLAMBANA CELEBRATION & ROSE CEREMONYSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 Dear members and friends of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, On behalf of the Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, we respectfully invite all Buddhist practitioners to attend the celebration of Ullambana at our Temple. Registration and meals are free. Please save your time to come for the celebration: SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 6:00 a.m.:    Chanting the Surangama Sutra9:00             Great Bell chant and sitting meditation10:30           Opening Celebration and Rose Ceremony12:30 p.m.: Ancestors’ Offerings and memorial for Master Thay’s father1:00:            Offerings to the monastic Sangha3:00:            Ceremony of Offerings to […]
- [Celebrate Vesak with us](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2024/04/24/celebrate-vesak-with-us/): Dear members and friends of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple, You are joyfully invited to attend Vesak,the Great Buddha’s Birthdayon Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. Vesak is the celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha, including his: birth, renunciation of worldly life, Enlightenment, teaching of the Dharma, and death and achievement of Parinirvana. In turn, it is also a celebration of Buddhist community, those who hear the Buddha’s teachings and devote themselves to practice. However, the focus is on the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha. Practicing his Noble Eightfold Path dispels resentment, sows seeds of peace, and transforms our habits of greed hatred, […]
- ["Abiding in the Dharma Treasure" book is available](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2022/10/03/abiding-in-the-dharma-treasure-book-is-available/): Namo A Di Da Phat In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the construction of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple (2012-2022), we published two books in gratitude for all who have supported our community: our spiritual and biological ancestors, especially in our temple lineage; the members of the Midwest Sangha and our temple communities; our local temple members, friends, and all who have supported Dinh Quang Temple through generosity of time, effort, resources, and care. We are especially grateful to our teacher, Ven. Ty Kheo Thich Thong Chanh. The second book, Abiding in the Dharma Treasure: A Self-Guided Tour of Định […]
- ["Awakening the Lotus" book is available](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2022/10/03/awakening-the-lotus-book-is-available/): Namo A Di Da Phat In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the construction of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple (2012-2022), we published two books in gratitude for all who have supported our community: our spiritual and biological ancestors, especially in our temple lineage; the members of the Midwest Sangha and our temple communities; our local temple members, friends, and all who have supported Dinh Quang Temple through generosity of time, effort, resources, and care. We are especially grateful to our teacher, Ven. Ty Kheo Thich Thong Chanh. The first book, Awakening the Lotus, is a collection of photos of the […]
- [Temple Robes](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/2018/04/07/temple-robes/): April 2018 Namo A Di Da Phat! One practice you may notice when you visit Dinh Quang Temple is the wearing of temple robes. For the Vietnamese service, the community wears the traditional blue-grey robes common to temples in Vietnam and the diaspora. For the ecumenical English-speaking service, the community wears dark brown robes. During services and ceremonies, monastics will also wear a special yellow robe called a sanghati. On Saturday, April 7, 2018, Venerable Thay offered us a teaching on this practice. Wearing a robe is a bell of mindfulness, a reminder to the community in at least four […]

## Pages

- [Beginning a Daily Practice](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/beginning-a-daily-practice/): We encourage you to work with your Teacher to establish a daily practice at home. If you are exploring on your own, the following practices can help provide a solid foundation for practicing with the Buddha’s teachings, cultivating wisdom and compassion: Nam Mô A Di Đà Phật
- [Practice](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/practice/): Practice is the heart of the Buddhist path, and our community is oriented around practicing with the Buddha’s teachings to cultivate wisdom and compassion. As Thay teaches us, we: “listen a little, practice a lot; listen a little more, practice a lot more.” Chanting & Meditation ServicesEach Sunday morning, we gather for chanting and meditation. English-language services begin at 9 a.m., followed by Vietnamese-language services at approximately 10:30 a.m. The English-speaking community gathers again on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. For more information about what to expect when visiting the temple, visit our Newcomer Info page. Dharma Talks & Dharma […]
- [Socially Engaged Buddhism](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/socially-engaged-buddhism/): The Buddha’s teachings have always impacted communities, societies, and cultures, including the beautiful bloom of the Bodhisattva path. In the 20th century, Buddhist practitioners sought to apply these wonderful, transformative traditions to multiple crises. The Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh described the development of socially engaged Buddhist practice in the context of the Vietnam War: “When I was in Vietnam, so many of our villages were being bombed. Along with my monastic brothers and sisters, I had to decide what to do. Should we continue to practice in our monasteries, or should we leave the meditation halls in order to […]
- [Days of Mindfulness & Retreats](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/days-of-mindfulness-retreats/): Setting aside time for extended practice, with the encouragement and support of a community, is a wonderful gift that we can offer to ourselves and each other. On most months, we host a Day of Mindfulness on the third Saturday, with the option to extend the day into an overnight retreat.  Many practices during the day are familiar, such as our morning service. We also practice the Five Earth Touchings, which supports us in strengthening the wisdom and compassion we’ve received from our ancestors, while also healing the suffering we’ve inherited from them. We use a version that integrates other Plum Village practices (pdf […]
- [Honoring our Ancestors](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/honoring-our-ancestors/): Honoring ancestors is a wonderful practice and an important part of our tradition. We recognize that our existence depends on the lives of others, and we are a continuation of those lives. We depend on so many others, including: atomically, for all the elements that make up the cosmos; genetically, for our biological ancestors; physically, for our caregivers; socially, for our community network; and spiritually, for our teachers. And our lives become the bridge for those who come after us. By honoring our ancestors, we also train ourselves to be diligent in caring about the world we create now and […]
- [Holidays at the Temple](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/holidays-at-the-temple/): The following posts are based on material included in our self-guided tour book, Abiding in the Dharma Treasure. More information about this book is available HERE. Dinh Quang Temple celebrates three main festivals each year. Click on a holiday to learn more! •Tet, the Lunar New Year (the first day of the the first month of the lunar calendar); • Vesak, commemorating the birth, life, teachings, and parinirvana of the Buddha (the first full moon of the lunar month Vesakha, or the first full moon of May in the Western calendar); and •Vu Lan (Ullambana), commemorating parents and ancestors (the […]
- [Vu Lan (Ullambana)](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/vu-lan-ullambana/): Vu Lan (Ulambana) has its origins in a sutra that describes Mahamaudgalyayana and his mother. After her death, Maudgalyayana perceived that his mother was reborn in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. Moved by his gratitude for the care she had given to him as his mother, he sought to ease her great suffering. But every attempt failed. Maudgalyayana went to the Buddha to ask how he could help his mother, and the Buddha replied that her situation required the energy and care of the entire Sangha. This coincided with the completion of the three months long retreat of intense and […]
- [Vesak](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/vesak/): Vesak is the celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha, including his: birth, renunciation of worldly life, Enlightenment, teaching of the Dharma, and death and achievement of Parinirvana. In turn, it is also a celebration of Buddhist community, those who hear the Buddha’s teachings and devote themselves to practice. This is why the Buddhist flag is usually prominent at our Vesak celebrations. Even though we call to mind the Buddha’s life and teachings at Vesak, the focal point is on the birth of Siddartha Gotama and the central image is of Gotama as a child. He is standing with the right hand pointing […]
- [Tết (Lunar New Year) ](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/tet-lunar-new-year/): Chúc mừng năm mới!  (Happy New Year!) Though not an official religious holiday, the Lunar New Year is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate joy. At our celebrations, we call to mind our loved ones’ presence, both living and dead. We celebrate the relationships and memories that have brought about the good and beautiful things in our lives, even us we nourish forgiveness and healing for the suffering. It is also a time for reflection. Looking back, we can see where we have grown, and where we have not. Looking ahead, we aspire to practice in a way that brings healing […]
- [Tenth Anniversary Books](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/tenth-anniversary-books/): Namo A Di Da Phat In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the construction of Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple (2012-2022), we published three books in gratitude for all who have supported our community: our spiritual and biological ancestors, especially in our temple lineage; the members of the Midwest Sangha and our temple communities; our local temple members, friends, and all who have supported Dinh Quang Temple through generosity of time, effort, resources, and care. We are especially grateful to our teacher, Ven. Ty Kheo Thich Thong Chanh. The first book, Awakening the Lotus, is a collection of photos of the […]
- [Dharma Teacher Order Classes](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/dharma-teacher-order-classes/): We are grateful to be a member temple of the Dharma Teacher Order (DTO), which has provided training and study of the Buddha’s teachings to curious seekers and committed practitioners since 2000. Under the leadership and direction of The Venerable Thich Tri Hoang, “The Dharma Teacher Order is a group of monastics and lay people who follow the Vietnamese Zen (Thien) Buddhist tradition and are interested in 1) learning more about the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings), 2) developing our spiritual practices and 3) making the Dharma available to the Western Hemisphere. We are respectful of all Buddhist traditions as well as […]
- [Dharma Classes](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/dharma-classes/): “The gift of the Dhamma excels all gifts; the taste of the Dhamma excels all tastes; delight in the Dhamma excels all delights. The eradication of craving overcomes all ills.”–Dhammapada 354 In The Discourse on Happiness, the Buddha reminded us that “not missing the occasion to learn the Dharma” is a deep practice, teaching us that: “To persevere and be open to change,to have regular contact with monks and nuns,and to fully participate in Dharma discussions —this is the greatest happiness.” Although it may sound unusual to say that participating in Dharma discussions is cause for great happiness, it makes […]
- [Calendar](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/calendar/): Join us in practicing with the Buddha’s teachings and building community devoted to wisdom and compassion, from holidays and special events to our regular services. Regular Services Chanting & Meditation, followed by Dharma Class (English) Sundays, 9 a.m.Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Chanting & Dharma Talk (Vietnamese) Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Day of Mindfulness (English) Third Saturday of each month,7:45 a.m. Temple Calendar
- [Newcomer Info](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/newcomer-info/): 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 […]
- [News](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/blog/)
- [Contact Us](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/contacts/): Stay Connected Thank you for contacting Dinh Quang Temple! Visit Wednesday Evenings, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Email dinhquangtemple@yahoo.com Phone +1-417-866-1095 Google Group (English) Chùa Định Quang (Vietnamese) Dinh Quang Temple (English) YouTube (English) Address2901 W High St Springfield, MO 65803
- [Donate](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/generosity/): Thank you for your generosity! Our mutual care and generosity helps make it possible for us to: Namo A Di Da Phat Donate Online: Online donations are securely handled through Zeffy. Use the QR code, visit Zeffy, or fill out the online form below. Thank you! Donate in Person: Donations can be offered at the designated boxes at the temple. Donate by Mail: You can also mail your donation to: Dinh Quang Temple2901 W High St.Springfield, Missouri 65803 *Make checks out to “Dinh Quang Temple” Why donate to Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple? When our teacher recently returned from India, he […]
- [About Us](https://dinhquangtemple.com/index.php/about-us/): Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple was formed by the Vietnamese community in Springfield, Missouri. They extended an invitation to our Abbot, Venerable Thay (Thich Thong Chanh), who arrived in 2010. Initially, the community purchased land and held services in a converted house until the temple could be built.   Construction was completed in 2012, through the effort and generosity of the Vietnamese community in Springfield and around the world. It is situated on 2.3 acres with a tree-lined drive, maintained in a spirit of mindfulness and dedicated to the well-being of all.   Our Aspiration Dinh Quang Temple is an active monastery, […]
- [Home](https://dinhquangtemple.com/): Namo A Di Da Phat Welcome to Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple! Dinh Quang Temple is a member of the Midwest Sangha of Vietnamese Buddhist Temples, with communities in twelve states from Texas to Michigan. Our abbot, the Venerable Thich Thong Chanh, is of the 43rd generation of the Lâm Tế (Linji) lineage of Vietnamese Thien (Zen). Everyone is welcome to join us as we practice the Buddha’s teachings. We have services in both Vietnamese and English languages. Our Vietnamese-speaking services (on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.) reflect our temple’s lineage and culture, with a blend of Pure Land and Zen Buddhism. […]


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