Minnesota Buddhist Vihara Temple

ABOUT US

The Minnesota Buddhist Vihara is a Buddhist temple that serves all those interested in learning about the Teachings of the Buddha. We offer teachings for both children and adults. We welcome people from all traditions and cultures to ‘come and see’ and to share in practices such as meditation, discussion on the teachings of the Buddha and ritual and cultural events of the Buddhist community of Minnesota.

MISSION

The mission of the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara is to share the Buddha’s message of Peace and Happiness and help create peace and harmony within and ourselves and in the surrounding world. Vihara is open to people of all faith traditions and cultures. We welcome you come and see, to participate in spiritual practices such as meditation, observance of precepts, discussions of Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and community events.

Buddhism, one of the major world religions, founded by Siddhartha Gautama popularly known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One), is regarded as one of the three most widespread religions in the world today. Buddha was born in during the sixth century BCE into a royal family of the Sakyan clan. Though He had all the comforts for a good life with wealth, palaces for three seasons and so on He was not satisfied with them. He saw life as suffering due to impermanent nature of phenomena and determined to find a lasting solution to the problem of suffering. So he gave up all material things and became a homeless wanderer. He practiced severe self-mortification for six long years in the hope of realizing Nibbana in order to eradicate suffering. Having realized that there are two extremes with regard to religious practices, Siddhartha Gautama decided to follow the Middle Way (Majjhima Patipada). Through the combined practice of Tranquility (Samatha) and Insight (Vipassana) meditations he realized Nibbana and became Enlightened.

The basic teaching of the Buddha includes epistemology, theory of knowledge and ethics which is called Vijja (wisdom) and Carana (practice). Buddha’s basic teaching includes the Four Noble Truths, Three Signata (Tilakkhana), Karma, Dependent Origination, Nibbana, theory of perception. The foundation of Buddhist ethics is non-violence, compassion and loving kindness. He emphasized the self-analogous ethical theory which is more effective in solving social problems. In Buddhism there is room for investigation and inquiry.

In the hope of giving Buddha’s message we have founded the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara. The aim of our mission is to create a peaceful and harmonious world. Vihara is open to everybody. All are welcome to take part in our religious activities like meditation, observance of precepts, Dhamma discussions and so forth.