Chicago Sanghas

southsider

Hello,

I just signed up for this forum because I have decided to make a commitment to joining a Buddhist Center. I had practiced Zen in the past but would like to investigate the Tibetan traditions more fully.

For those of you in the Chicago area I would like to hear your opinion about some of the centers in the area. I know that this is a matter of personal opinion more than anything but getting the good, bad, and ugly opinion about some of the local centers would be helpful.

Thanks,

-Marc

caz

http://www.vajrabc.org/

Sile

Here are a few more:

Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (Nyingma, Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche )
http://www.padmasambhava.org/

Chicago Karma Thegsum Choling (Kagyu, Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin)
http://www.chicagoktc.org/

Tibetan Alliance of Chicago (Tibetan cultural organization--mostly a support for the Tibetan community, but they bring in teachers and speakers, as well as holding frequent prayers and practices)
http://tibetan-alliance.org/

Can't resist a plug for my own wonderful temple, Deer Park, in Madison, WI. A bit of a drive Teachings are Sundays 10am-noon, Thursday evenings, and special summer courses.

Deer Park Buddhist Center (Gelug, Ven. Geshe Lhundup Sopa, Geshe Tenzin Dorje)
http://www.deerparkcenter.org/

Diseria

@Sile
Madison, eh?
I'm sure there's some in Milwaukee,
but the drive would be nice

...how do Temples feel about little kids/toddlers? I realize each prolly has their own rules, but Mommy can't always find a sitter...

Floating_Abu

@Marc If you can't find a referral in person, just go and see how you feel about things yourself at the different centers. It will all work out.

Best wishes,
Abu

southsider

Thanks everybody. My plan is to visit most if not all of the below.

http://www.chicagoktc.org/ Kagyu
*http://www.vajrabc.org/ (I have heard about the controversy around this group and don't want this to turn into that type of discussion. I have read some of Geshe Kyasto's books and enjoyed them well enough to make me want to visit this center.) NKT
*http://www.bodhipath.org/chicago/ Bodhi Path
http://chicago.shambhala.org/index.php Shambhala
*http://insightchicago.org/ Theravada
http://www.diamondway.org/chicago/ Diamond Way

I just thought I would check in here to see if anyone had feedback

southsider

Caz,

I just wanted thank you for pointing out the NKT center for me. I was aware of it and was planning on checking out out since I enjoyed Gesh-la's books but your recommendation made it first on my list. i am still going to look at a few other centers to make sure I am making the right choice but I think I might have found a winner on the first try.

Floating_Abu

@southsider

Diamond Way is not recommended.
NKT has a lot of controversy so I would personally avoid it, but that's just my style.

BW,
Abu

southsider

Abu,

Are there other things about Diamond Way other than the leaders sex life? (Don't think I'm his type so I should be good there )

As far as NKT I m not really interested in the controversy. When it comes down to it 99% percent of the time I spend in practice will be with the local sangha. I was talking to the resident teacher afterward and he brought up the controversy and he shook his head and said it was ashamed. Most would have turned to defense mode after I told him that I had read about it or not brought it up at all. That made me feel good enough not to worry about politics and bickering.

No matter where I go I will keep my eyes open.

caz

Have a look and enjoy

Caz,

I just wanted thank you for pointing out the NKT center for me. I was aware of it and was planning on checking out out since I enjoyed Gesh-la's books but your recommendation made it first on my list. i am still going to look at a few other centers to make sure I am making the right choice but I think I might have found a winner on the first try.

People bang on about controversy, Making people assume its much worse then it actually is. When in Reality its a traditional disagreement with the Dalai lama (which we are backed by lineage by the way), Sure organisations have their ups and downs and so has the NKT but the majority of the time it has been in the removed places of management and not at a local level, Ive been a regular at my center for the past 15 years or so and have yet to encounter anything I felt uncomfortable with. As with any place go look around enjoy and see if it fits with you.

DairyLama

NKT has a lot of controversy

Tibetan Buddhism generally has a lot of controversy, but there is no need to get involved in it.

Floating_Abu

No matter where I go I will keep my eyes open.

You already have an NKT connection and result -- that is fine. I do not know enough about the particulars of the debate to comment on it, so I will leave it at that.

My posts on both counts were intended for someone who was really starting out.

Well wishes,
Abu

southsider

Abu,

I am really starting out and visited the one center last week. I was impressed and thanked Caz for the recommendation and let everyone know that I am not interested in starting another controversy discussion because there is already enough of that out there.

I am sorry you took that any other way and if you are willing I would like to hear your opinion onn the Diamond Way.