The Midwest Buddhist Temple

The Midwest Buddhist Temple is a temple of Buddha Dharma and the way of Nembutsu, which is a realization of Oneness of Life in the Infinite Compassion and Wisdom of the Amida Buddha. The temple is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America, headquartered in San Francisco, rooted in the Nishi Hongwcanji, Kyoto, Japan,Statue of Shinran Shonin practicing the Jodo Shinshu, the Pure Land School. Jodo Shinshu was founded in Japan by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262). It was Shinran Shonin who brought the Buddhist teachings down from the monastery level to the ordinary man who could practice it with his family.

The first meeting of young Jodo Shinshu immigrants was initiated in San Francisco on July 14, 1898. Founded on July 10, 1944, the first gathering at the Midwest Buddhist Temple began with a simple but inspirational service at the South Parkway Community Hall on Chicago's South Side. The late Reverend Gyodo Kono presided over this hallowed event along with devoted participation of the Issei (1st generation) and Nisei (2nd generation) Japanese Americans, when recently released from the U.S. internment camps of World War II.

We hold regular services for members and for the public each Sunday:

• 8:30 am Zen Shin Meditation
  9:00 am Zen Shin Meditation 
• 10:30 am Adult service in English

Note: Sunday services will be on summer hiatus from Sunday August 19, 2012 resuming on Sunday September 9, 2012    

Periodically, we host seminars, workshops, retreats and public lectures on the Buddha Dharma. On cultural programs, we offer Minyo (folk dance), and Taiko (Japanese drum).

The Obon Dance Festival in July and the Ginza Holiday Festival in August (the second weekend in August) are highlights of our participation in the rich ethnic diversity of Chicago's summer festivals.

 Visit the Temple's website