1.  Constructing the New Temple
  • This new structure provides a much-needed resource for our expanding student base, by complementing the existing temple and residential buildings on Deer Park's thirteen acres of woodland grounds. Together, they form an entire complex for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism and the preservation of its monastic tradition.

  • The temple serves as a gathering place for Buddhist education, outreach and interreligious programs. The new facility allows us to adequately host such events, as well as to accommodate the special guests who grace us with their visits and their teachings, such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin (Abbot Emeritus of Gyume Monastery) and Geshe Lobsang Donyo (Abbot Emeritus of Sera Je Monastery).

  • The centerpiece of the new facility is a main assembly hall with overflow seating, large enough to accommodate our wider community, including the large number of locally resident Tibetan refugees. During special events such as summer teachings, major Buddhist holidays and Tibetan New Year celebration, the Kalachakra temple was all too often stretched beyond capacity.

  • The new temple closely follows models of traditional Tibetan architecture, while incorporating modern methods of sustainable design. As such, our temple stands as a unique landmark of Tibetan Buddhist culture in the heartland of America.

  • The new temple is designed to be spiritually inspiring and visually striking. With its rich symbolism, the overall space is configured as an outward expression of the inner qualities that students of Buddhism seek to develop.

  • The new facility provides ample room for the public to view an extensive collection of Tibetan art, ritual implements and other artifacts in a setting that can reflect and honor its purpose and intended use.

    • Within the building, ample space is dedicated to house Deer Park's extensive library of sacred literature, including the extensive Buddhist canon. Space was especially required for our archive of rare teachings and initiations given by some of Tibetan Buddhism's most revered spiritual masters, both living and now passed away. Our holdings will be available to researchers and scholars.

    • On the lower level, classroom space can provide Tibetan children the opportunity to receive training in their native language, and in the Buddhist cultural traditions that are essential to the continuation of their Tibetan heritage. These same classrooms can be used to offer language and other specialized instruction to members of the Deer Park Buddhist community.

    • A kitchen on the lower level has the capacity to cook for at least 200 guests at a time, allowing us to host extended activities on-site that were previously beyond our capacity, such as major interreligious gatherings, retreats and large-scale teaching events.

    • The temple provides space that is visually and spiritually fulfilling for people of all faiths.
    Top