International
Buddhist Meditation Center - Los Angeles
928 S. New Hampshire Ave., Los Angeles, California 90006
Phone: (213) 384-0850 - eMail
The International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles was founded in 1970 by Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An, a scholar and Zen Master from Vietnam. He came to the United States as a visiting professor at UCLA, and at the urging of his students, founded the Center to provide a place for them to practice meditation and the Buddhist Path. |
When Dr. Thien-An died in 1980, Ven.
Dr. Karuna Dharma, one of the founders of the
Center, became the Abbess. Under her direction, the IBMC
Monks and Dharma Teachers continue the Center's
activities. IBMC was one of four original Zen centers
founded in the United States to cater specifically
to the needs of Western-born Americans. Over ten
other temples have sprung from IBMC, with monks training
at the Center until they became qualified to establish
their own sites. |
IBMC was the first American temple
to ordain Westerners as bhikkus and bhikkunis (fully
ordained monks and nuns) Photo -
2005, I.B.M.C. Monks & Dharma Teachers. At the Grand
Ordination held in December, 1994, the Center was
the first to have a full ordination ceremony presided
over by a woman and the first to have Western disciples
of Asian masters fully ordain their own disciples.
The 2004 I.B.M.C. Grand Ordination - Photo
Album. |
Programs available at the IBMC include: *Meditation instruction, daily practice, weekend retreats, and workshops. *Training of monks, dharma teachers, and laypeople. *Ceremonies celebrating traditional Buddhist holidays and personal events. *Residential program for those who want a peaceful environment and more opportunity to practice. *Special Programs include a prison outreach. |
The Center also offers Dharma
talks and publishes a newsletter, the Monthly
Guide. Our lecture hall is available
for rental to organizations and individuals for meetings and
classes. For additional information, send email
to: Ven. Karuna Dharma, Abbess. Dr. Thien-An's
book, Zen Philosophy, Zen Practice, is an excellent
introduction to the spiritual orientation of the founder.
New! - The IBMC Monthly Guide/Newsletter now available in PDF for Free Download.
New! - Video Dharma Talks / Flash Video
New! - Audio Dharma Talks / in MP3
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IBMC 2002 Ordination Photos | IBMC photo Page
Three Kittens need a good home / Photos - Click Here
| The kittens were born and live in the Zendo backyard... We have found a non-profit that will fix them for free... They are fed daily by Rev. Kusala and feel comfortable around humans, but have not been held or litter box trained... Can you help??? If so, call Doug at 213-384-0850. |