Tam Bao Meditation Center is one of the biggest and oldest Buddhist temples in Louisiana. Located in Baton Rouge, this center has served members and practitioners locally as well as those who come from New Orleans and Lafayette since 1985.
The temple is one of the popular religious sites emphasizing a structure of Buddhist Zen tradition combined with a rich history of Vietnam, a hint of Indochina culture together with modern Western architecture. The main Meditation Hall can host up to 150 practitioners surrounded by the front courtyard and the Happy Buddha garden; while the nearby Appreciation Tower stores cremation urns and serves as a worshiping center. Other buildings include Nuns dorm, Monks dorm, Community kitchen and two log cabins for guests. The highlight of the temple is thirty-two live oak trees and beautiful landscapes, which makes this religious institute become a peaceful park right next to a busy corner of the Baton Rouge City.
The primary purpose of Buddhism is to end sufferings. Tam Bao Temple applies the Mahayana, “The Great Vehicle,” tradition to help the public, not just ordained monks and nuns, understand and develop the correct Buddhist teachings, so they can liberate themselves from daily difficulties and find more peace and happiness.
In order to maintain harmony throughout the Temple, all of the monks, nuns, and novices living at the temple shall vow to keep the following policies in our living environment, our work, and our practice:
All financial matters are to be taken care of by the Finance/Accounting staff. Monks and nuns shall not have access to or participate in any of the temple’s financial matters.
All members of the temple will respect, learn, and practice the traditions and methods of Buddhism
All members of the temple will participate in daily activities, services, and events at the Temple.
If any member decides to no longer stay at the temple, he or she may find a suitable place to live and continue his or her practice; however, he or she may not stay at a local practitioner’s house or open another temple in the Baton Rouge area or in any other city that already has multiple temples.
Members shall not visit the home of a local practitioner except to engage in prayer services.
Members shall not keep personal money or accept personal donations, except for Lunar New Year lucky money. Tam Bao Temple will take care of all basic financial needs for monastic sangha members
When someone in the community passes away, all members must try their best to help and support the deceased person’s loved ones without receiving any donations. The deceased’s family can donate directly to the Tam Bao community fund after 49 days.
Members may go back to Vietnam to visit their family, on average every 4 or 5 years. Each trip shall not exceed 21 days. Tam Bao Temple will sponsor all basic expenses for the trip, such as plane fare and travel expenses.
To maintain a simple lifestyle, all members of the monastic sangha shall not use cell phones less than 3 years old, nor vehicles less than 4 years old, nor possess luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes, Lexus, Volvo, BMW, etc.
Monastic sangha members can decide to make purchases that are less than $200/month for either personal or community purposes.
When the members of the monastic sangha travel and work out of state, they shall not accept any donations made to them personally. All donations shall be sent directly to the Tam Bao Temple community fund.
All monks and nuns shall encourage and support all practitioners to practice and perform charitable works for the common good.
Monastic Sangha members shall take care of their own daily meals. However, practitioners can help prepare food for big events, retreats, or vegetarian food sales.
Monks and nuns shall not discuss any activities or events of the Temple privatelywith any practitioner in person or via email, phone, or social networks. All activities and events at the Temple shall be discussed publicly at the general meetings.
Monks and nuns shall use respectful and loving speech in discussing issues or making suggestions with each other. Members shall not talk about one another behind their backs.
No member shall use a cell phone during services. At other times, phone conversations should not exceed 15 minutes, except during a teleconference.
Monastic Sangha members shall be willing to learn helpful information and knowledge from the practitioners.
All above policies shall apply to and could be changed with a formal discussion with all members of monastic Sangha.