It's hard to rate a place of worship because unlike a restaurant, you aren't exactly there to pay…read morefor a service and expecting a certain standard back. So my review is just going to be based on my experience and preference. This temple is open to the public, anyone and everyone can come. Though it serves the majority of the local Vietnamese population. I prefer this temple over a few others Buddhist temples in Chicago because the location and parking nearby makes it easier to get to. They have expanded their parking lot to fit in more cars, though I wouldn't park there because you'd likely get blocked in when it's time to go home because people WILL double park inside the lot. The best parking, I've found, is going past the temple and park either by the school behind the temple or along the train tracks (Manheim Rd) on the other side. The service is going to be in Vietnamese, floor sitting is the the usual here. There will not be any chairs in the main parlor. Buddhist temples are very basic and is all about connecting to your inner self and expunging of desires. No make-up or formal dresses are necessary. It's customary to come to these places with long sleeves and no revealing clothes. Get down to the basics is pretty much the motto. Expect to take off your shoes before entering the parlor. I would recommend not wearing plain black shoes, as that is the color that 98% of the attendees wear. It's also customary to receive a free meal with every visit around lunch time. The meals are very good and they're ALWAYS vegetarian, made by volunteers of the temple. It's usually served buffet style and will even include desserts. There's always enough for everybody. Since no payment is ever expected or asked of the attendees, it's usually courtesy to donate some money while you're there. I usually give about $5 minimum to help pay for the food I ate and the upkeep of the place. You can give as much as you want. Donations are the only thing that's been keeping these places around for years. Drop your donation in any of the collection box in the main parlor. It has a slit for money and usually have one of the gods on top of it. I've also heard but don't know much details that on Sundays, the temple also opens up for Sunday schools to teach kids to read and write Vietnamese. Every function and event is solely by volunteers who takes time out of their daily lives to give back to the Buddhist community. It's a great place to go to obtain peace and feel inspired to live each day fully. You should come here on with a friend or even on your own, everyone is very friendly and no one will ever try to convert you. Most days that I go, I'll be luck if one person says a thing to me. It's a very individual practice. It's all about doing it for yourself.

Recently I stopped by for Vu Lan festival. The vegetarian food is free (like all you can eat). You…read morecan also get some home for a little contribution fee of $5 per medium container. Often many temple go-ers even brought their own special vegetarian dishes/desert to contribute to temple. There is a music band at the temple. I heard they practice every Sunday afternoon. They are quite good. Nice stage set up for the event with many local singers. Enough tables and chairs for everyone. Let see if I can post some pictures.

This review is about my experience staying at the Temple for few nights, not the meditation sits,…read morewhich were great! Years back, I had stayed few days at the Zen Buddhist Temple, which was ran by this nice lady monk who had since moved. Because I had a phenomenal and transformative experience, I decided to come back for a second retreat! When I came back, the Temple was ran by a male monk from Korea (could be the same monk now, not sure), and I left there with an uncomfortable and unpleasant time. Reflecting on this, I realized that there were certain assumptions that the male monk failed to inform me, before I checked in. I don't want to go into exact details of what those issues were because I don't want to ruin people's view of the Temple. But, if you have any plans to stay at the Temple overnight, ask what rules and expectations are for guests, especially when it comes to the access and use of the kitchen...

Very welcoming and friendly experience. We were introduced to the meditation center from a friend…read moreand will continue to go. I highly recommend if you are looking for a Zen Buddhist temple.

Discovering Chan meditation practice a couple of years ago has been one of the main turning points…read morein my life. Chan denotes what later became "Zen" in Japan. The method at this center is taught in the tradition of Chan Master Sheng Yen (for more information please look up his wikipedia entry or check out the center's website). If you are curious to learn how to meditate please join the weekly group meditation on Sunday mornings or on Tuesday evenings. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhists teachings then you can also join the Dharma class held on Sunday mornings on a bi-weekly basis by the teacher Iris Wang.

From the owner: We are a Chan Buddhist center and offer various activities such as meditation, Yoga and Tai Chi…read moreclasses, Dharma studies. We operate as a registered non-profit organization. Chan is also known as Zen (which is the Japanese version of it). If you are interested in learning how to meditate please feel free to give it a try and come visit our center on Sunday mornings!

A truly wonderful place to learn more about meditation. The staff are warm, friendly and very…read morehelpful. Highly recommended.

I'm not sure why this place doesn't have more reviews and why I have never been here before. It is…read morejust a mile away from my house! Free meditation classes (donations are accepted) are offered on Wednesdays at 7pm-8pm and Saturdays 10am-11am. The class starts with 10 minute stretching exercises, followed by a 50 minute guided meditation. I am a beginner, so I absolutely loved the guidance because my mind kept wandering. The instructor and other staff members were incredibly welcoming, hospitable, and generous. They even invited us to a homemade Thai lunch downstairs after the meditation. I love that I have found a new community of nonjudgmental people. If you want to feel relaxed and accepted, don't hesitate to meditate here!

One of two Sinhalese Buddhist temples in the Chicagoland area, and the only one with a monk that…read morespeaks fluent English. Like a lot of immigrant places of worship, there are two main groups who come here. There are Sri Lankan Americans like me who are here for family and ethnic reasons, and there are American converts who are here seeking. I recommend this temple for both. We don't think of a dead body as very significant, when someone dies, it's a part of life and another turn in the wheel of life, samsara. Life is essentially, impermanence. We handle grief by almsgiving in honor of the deceased, called dhanas (don-nays) which I held both here and in Sri Lanka. The head monk, Bhante Sujantha helped me understand the traditions of my people at the same time he helped me immeasurably with the complex feelings I had after my father's passing (he suffered a lot, I was unable to ease his suffering, American hospitals are not a very good place to die, and we didn't have the best of relationships). The Blue Lotus Temple is also a good place if you're searching, they have classes that will help you, whether you're looking for an alternative to American Protestantism, or you want to learn how to meditate and reduce anxiety. Unlike many other religions, Buddhism does not require you leave your original faith behind, it's more about kindness and mindfulness (in its original meaning). Find Bhante Sujantha on Tik Tok or Instagram, he's better than formal therapy or a good addition to professional sessions. If you can visit the temple, if you can afford to donate, you should also know that Bhante Sujantha is a terrible businessman, but I guess that's how the good clerics are, right? I know about the classes because I came early to my first Dhana and I listened to Sujantha teach, or rather try to teach mindfulness and compassion. Then, after they were done and politely asked to leave the chapel part of the temple for my service, about half the class stayed in and talked very loudly even after having my service started (being streamed live to relatives in Sri Lanka, England, Canada, and Australia) ironically going on about mindfulness and themselves. You can lead an elephant to water, but you can't make her drink I guess. Life is a journey, don't travel alone.

It is with profound disappointment that I write this review of the temple. A teacher there,…read moreapparently struggling with severe mental health issues, broke numerous federal laws concerning me--including alleged but witnessed poisoning of my drinks at Starbucks, destroying my paintings at Winestock, visiting my schools and illegally showing my transcripts to others, slandering me, and assisting in getting me banned from several of my downtown Crystal Lake haunts that I could sometimes afford. In addition, he appears to have worked cooperatively to end significant relationships in my life, and much more. Now I find that the head monk at Blue Lotus Temple has merely an associate's degree from McHenry Community College, yet decided to work cooperatively with this individual--August (Gus) Santo--to discredit me and call the police on me when I was polite and respectful. I hold a BA in Psychology and English from Northeastern Illinois University, an MA in Social Science from St. John's University (School of Practical Theology), two Master's degrees with interfaith ministry training in Ethics & Society and Historical Theology from Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University (four academic years), and an 88-semester-hour graduate certificate from Adler University with externships from the University of Illinois Neuropsychiatric Institute in Chicago. I also hold three Bible College doctorates in Sacred Literature, Biblical Theology, and Theology. Apparently Mr. Santo was very concerned that I received a D in a class at the age of 19. I had family responsibilities, economic pressures, and a severe anxiety disorder until the age of 35 or so. I never applied for a position at that temple, and I do not understand why they would allow this. I am 70, take great care of myself, practice yoga and movement therapy (once certified in these disciplines), do not drink or smoke, meditate, and am creative. I'm frequently taken to be around 35 because of my lifestyle. Partly because I was an unpaid missionary and caregiver for decades, I have not accumulated wealth, and for reasons beyond my control, I do not have funds to date or socialize. I do not drive, and walking the 1.5 miles to downtown was peaceful--I sometimes enjoyed the company of acquaintances. I do not have family or monetary resources. While there is much more, I've been under considerable stress lately, and I do not understand these people. I was banned from Starbucks as I sat quietly reading. Feel free to evaluate at your discretion.

You must visit this beautiful Nichiren Shoshu temple. It's hondo (Gohonzon Room) is magnificent and…read morepeaceful. And, you absolutely MUST take the opportunity to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to its Joju Gohonzon to receive the ultimate benefits of peace, happiness, eradication of bad karma and eventually enlightenment. The grounds that surround the temple are also beautiful and serene. Chief Priest, Rev. Kato and Assistant Priest, Rev. Hinaro are warm and welcoming. Their happy smiles are infectious. You are made to feel welcome and at home at Myogyoji Temple. My experience there was very positive yesterday when I visited after a 12-long trip from Tokyo, Japan (and during an 11 hour layover) before heading to Miami, Florida. I will definitely visit this temple again whenever I return to Chicago.

I use to go to meditation sessions there on Friday nights with my wife, Ajahn Tappekorn was usually…read morethere, he was very good at guiding our sessions, and very accomadating to my crazy schedule. This is a great place!

Excellent temple, well cared for, went on several wkend retreats there, very comfortable. I highly…read morerecommend it.

The Bahai temple in Evanston, IL, is the Taj Mahal of North America. Extraordinary setting, design…read moreand craftsmanship.

The Bahai Temple is a place for all to come and meditate or pray. The temple itself has so many…read moresymbolic motifs incorporated into its architecture that represents all religions. Their grounds are well maintained and gorgeous with plants, flowers, and water features. They have a Welcome Center that explains the history and symbolism to truly appreciate everything this temple has to offer. I recommend stopping here to not only take in its beauty but to connect to faith as a whole. Tip: No Photography is allowed inside the Temple.

Nice, peaceful atmosphere. Kelsang Dorje takes Dharma teachings and applies them to practical use…read morefor today. It was as if he knew exactly what i was going through. Meditation bliss in a fun part of town!

This is a wonderful place. They are warm and welcoming and people from all walks of life attend…read moreservices. Their workshops, classes and events have really invigorated my spiritual practice.