I've been more in touch with my spirituality lately so have been visiting more temples. The power…read moreof prayer is real. Stopped at this beautiful Cambodian temple with the gang, and prayed for a lot of things and people. I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't even take as many photos as I normally do. Just know this Buddhist temple has many beautiful statues representing multiple reasons: peace, love, positive energy, happiness, etc. So -- if you're in the area, stop in to visit the beautiful grounds and say hello to the monks who reside there. Keep praying y'all.

(Please reference my photos of our last visit to see the challenges this Wat is facing now, this is…read moremy updated, concerning review, please reference my last one to see what it used to be like). For some time now, the board and the leaders have changed at this organization. The change has consequently created some concerning rifts and made the new organization leaders act in some questionable ways. I hope you might read this review not to deter you from entering this temple, but so that if they do allow you to enter, that it might grant you an awareness and deep compassion that might also affect those around you. So yes, the people voted and like so many countries and "democracies" out there, new people were brought into this Wat to tend to prior complaints about "a poor looking temple". These people have big plans to have bigger statues, sturdier buildings, and corporate minded monks. And it's just what we need at buddhist temples; just like some others pointed out-- I mean how dare a place of worship LOOK poor? I mean what are they doing even housing buddhist monks who practice austerity to provide walking examples of how to implement moral instruction---those monks should have jobs and maybe even pay rent just like the rest of us who worship there! Well, that wish just came true. The new leaders have requested that monks that live there, if they are not aligned with the new changes, must pay rent. And when they do not, those new organization leaders find the legal support to evict those monks who want to uphold true buddhist values so that they are forced into the streets, obliging them even more so to fully implement the sacred doctrines that the Buddha has taught them to embody. And now we spectators are witnessing a moment of darkness and deep internal struggle that is so a part of the duality of life, hoping that the darkness will recognize its interdependence with its equally needed opposing force, so that the sacred balance can be restored both at this temple and in the hearts of those who frequent it. I witnessed all these changes the last time I visited this temple as members of the community rallied up to support the monk that was ousted but we were not allowed to enter as the gates were chained and locked. Even as a little girl, the gates of buddhist temples were never locked. This meant that I could always come into say a prayer to an ancestor or light some incense hoping that my mantras might be heard at anytime of the day. It meant that even without an appointment or a phone call, that in the most hopeless of times, I could show up unannounced to find my mother feeding the monks to fulfill her duties as a layman by filling the stomachs of the monks who live there, who chant into the night when our dead are gone to ensure us that we might get a glimpse of a life far from samsara. Now you see, I gave this place 3 stars because even as the gates of this temple are locked to me and selective community members, the gates of enlightenment are not. They remain open inside me and to those of us who still choose unity, compassion, and the path towards true nirvana even as the quaint Sunday days of community and worship are taken from us, with not even an inkling of hope that they might return. They remain open as the false ideologies of despotic regimes have not completely dissipated from some of the minds of those they used to tyrannically rule. Finally, these internal gates remain open because the moral values and philosophies are the true foundations of a temple and even if I stand alone, I will stand---- no I will sit here, and maybe under a tree, until we all have been awakened.

My experience at Odiyan has inspired me to follow my dreams. I continue…read moreto be involved when time permits creating sacred art. A caring attitude toward each other and Odiyan's vision keeps me involved. Alan O.

I've lived and worked both at Odiyan and nearby Ratna Ling Retreat Center for almost 3 years around…read more2012 to 2015. Since then I've come back regularly every year for a few weeks or a couple of months at a time. Odiyan is a hidden gem, an otherworldly place, like no other I've ever been. Life at Odiyan is very simple, work is very hard, but the time you spend there is so so worthwhile, heart opening and life changing. The way the community immerses itself into spiritual practice at Odiyan is through work, the daily practices and study. There's a lot to do at Odiyan. The grounds are immense and breathtaking wherever you look, and the amount and scope of projects are remarkable. The Buddhist teachings manifest at Odiyan as sacred symbols, temples, prayer wheels, stupas, books, online programs, and the grounds of this amazing unique mandala. Life and work at Odiyan are one. People there embrace the projects as their own, and the grounds as their own home. Having your mind and body immersed in the beauty of Odiyan's nature, and in the sacredness of what you work with, puts you face to face with your own idea of self, and with the purpose of being here in this planet. You meet your own resistance, and your own potential as human being to overcome it. Odiyan teaches you that you can be and accomplish much more that you ever thought you could. This is not your typical meditation retreat center, it's a place where people come to engage with concentrated spiritual practice that manifests through their work in the sacred art and construction projects, the gardens, care for the land and animals, the kitchen work and the practices and classes. My life was transformed by working and living at Odiyan and with this community, and for that I will always be thankful to this amazing community and its Founder. I don't think there's many other places on earth were you can have such a powerful experience. I would recommend anyone that is seriously considering a spiritual path or that loves simple life and hard but fulfilling work to try Odiyan for at least 6 months. This is the most amazing place to take an extended break from you habitual, worldly life.

Amazing place for prayer and the people are so helpful,due to my disability I am always grateful…read morefor their assistance, I would highly recommend, specially on their new year, celebrations

Happy that there's a local Thai buddist temple in the Fairfield area. The monks are friendly…read more Sometimes they have festivals where volunteers make authentic Thai food to get donations in for the temple. They also have events for Thai citizens to get their Thai passports and Thai ID cards renewed. Very convenient!

Beautiful temple with very nice monks. Come and see for yourself…read more Wat Chaimongkol is well known by supporting from the people in different locations such as Bay areas, Fairfield, San Francisco and etc. Later on, June 25, 2009 is regarded as the best auspicious day of the time 9 A.M. and 9 minutes. All monks officially moved in living until now. Nowadays, Wat Chaimongkol is also officially acknowledged as a member of Assembly of Thai Monks organization so that it is a legal institutation in both secular and religious views. The total area of the current place is nearly a half of an acre with two buildings. In the big building with 2,422 sq. ft., there are 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 reception room, 1 kitchen room and 1 dining room. In the small building with 900 sq.ft. there are 2 bedrooms 1 store-room and a 2 car garage. The space between two buildings is suitable for doing activities. Moreover, there is a large area at the front suitable for 10 cars parking excluded from the area of main road and than of informal education school.

This was such a peaceful and lovely temple. We enjoyed our visit so much that we came a second time…read morebefore heading home. The grounds are lovely and there's something truly peaceful being there. There are beautiful peacocks that wander around the property. The vegetarian restaurant onsite is really wonderful. The room with the ten thousand buddhas is very peaceful and calm. There are also complimentary books you can take with you. We hope to be back soon.

I have been inspired to visit here for a while and finally found the chance…read more The campus is very well kept. Love seeing the peacock family touring around with a nice diversity of the family members and their squirrel friends. I love how friendly people here are. I especially appreciate my experience at the bookstore/gift shop. They helped me find the perfect GuanYin for my meditation area and showed me many tips. I only wish that they can host somewhat frequent weekend retreats. I would love to come back to practice over the weekend. Many thanks to the wonderful people practicing here or helping out here. They also offer free books too at the hall. Would come back for another visit tmrw.

Nichiren Buddhism is an amazing way to transform your life and to recharge your batteries. I have…read morebeen practicing for over thirteen years and it has completely changed my life. Introductory meetings are every Monday night from 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. Come on down. EVERYONE is welcome.

Please Join Us What: Redwood Coast Region…read moreYoung Men and Men's Division Meeting When: August 28, 2011 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Where: SGI-USA Redwood Coast Region Buddhist Center 2455 Bennett Valley Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: 707.546.7777 "A great human revolution in the life of one person can change the destiny of humankind and our planet. It is Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, that encourages and enables people to become aware of their great power, to draw it forth and use it. Buddhism gives people the means to develop themselves thoroughly and opens their eyes to the limitless power inherent in their lives."

This place charges for meditation, which is antithetical to everything the Buddha taught. I don't…read moremean that they ask for donations. I mean they ask you for cash or credit card payment before you can sit down and meditate. This is not a Buddhist center. No place that requires payment to sit in meditation with the sangha is a Buddhist center.

There current location is in Penngrove, they moved there several years ago. They offer a modern…read moreapproach to traditional Kadampa Buddhist meditation. Each class normally includes short prayers at the beginning and end, a guided meditation and a teaching on a Buddhist topic. The prayers are translations of traditional Tibetan chants that present aspects of the Buddha's teachings. Introductory classes are currently available 3 days per week. Every couple of months they have a more in depth training session on Saturday's. My wife and I found the center about a year ago and have found the training on inner peace to be very helpful in our lives.

TLDR: intertwining your personal spirituality with group spirituality is a serious thing with…read morepotentially positive and negative consequences. *********************************** As a former participant, I would suggest that you be careful about using spirituality to bypass real-life challenges. A spiritual group is like a friendship or marriage - please check for compatibility as you date and get to know people better. This group mixes psychology and spirituality and professional identity in a way that is helpful for many partipants. It can be playful and creative. But if you are struggling with deeper and more complex issues in your life, please seek a professional therapist who specializes in whatever your issue is. At PZI, what you share of your personal questions and issues may be responded to in a way that is experimental and not always bound by confidentiality. Be careful re: what you share about family and work. People with their own strong practices and who believe in positive thinking seem to be able to learn here. People who are psychologists and spiritual teachers and and coaches whose profession is intertwined with their spirituality seem to do well here. People who struggle with anxiety, depression, identity, boundary questions and needs etc. may be expected to change or overcome themselves in ways that aren't realistic or necessary. Please try very hard to accept your imperfect self and ask yourself exactly what your motivation is when you start a relationship with a spiritual teacher. Respect your own emotional landscape and boundaries.. What is it you think you will learn/obtain from the teacher? Try to evaluate what they suggest and determine whether it will help you. Do not follow blindly. Quietly and respectfully ignore what is not helpful. Ask yourself how you would feel if your deepest struggles and longings were shared with various people beyond the teacher and if there were other participants in the Zoom room who were not visible. Please do not idealize spiritual teachers and do not replace your own higher power, spiritual center, judgment or god-concept with them. Enjoy the friends you make. Use caution witb people who set off red flags as in the rest of life. Be respectful and have boundaries. I have seen people flourish here and I have seen people suffer unnecessarily. Pay attention.

It's not your usual zen meditation organization but a unique community where we wake up together…read more People of various ages, genders, backgrounds, race and leve of practice. It's fun, creative, musical and transformative. The founding teacher and Director John Tarrant , along with other women and men teachers provide a wide variety of approaches to the dharma. Check out the website for a vast array of resources.