Tours

Buddhist Temple Tour of Milwaukee

What does a Buddhist temple look like?

Where is a good meditation center?

How do you practice Buddhism?

Who are some Buddhist masters?

What style of Buddhism is right for me?

Get answers to your questions on a Buddhist Temple Tour of Milwaukee. It’s a first hand introduction to names, places and faces.

We carpool to the east side to learn about Zen meditation at a Zen center. Next we visit a Tibetan Buddhist site to learn about an esoteric form of Buddhism that is growing in popularity. Then we travel to the south side to visit a Theravada Buddhist temple operated by the Lao community, then onto a Mahayana temple operated by Vietnamese Buddhists. Finally we examine Nichiren Buddhism at a Japanese Soka Gakkai center on the west side.

Along the way we will enjoy fellowship at a fine Asian restaurant while dining on delicious Asian cuisine.

If you’ve ever been interested in exploring Buddhist temples, meditation centers, or Zendos near you, now is your chance. There is no pressure to join the religion, only an opportunity to expand your horizons. Learn about the history of Buddhism in Milwaukee. Talk to Buddhist masters. Enjoy insights into enlightenment. Bring a friend. Be the Buddha. Satisfy your spirit with a pub crawl through the Pure Land.

Vintage Vietnam

The ancient allure of Asia, the thrilling pace of modern Saigon, the enduring charm of old world Hanoi — Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the cultural treasures of Vietnam.

Vietnam is a country seared across the American psyche. But the horrors of war are all but forgotten in Vietnam itself. A vibrant country teeming with friendly people and economic promise, Vietnam beckons to the world traveler.

With a 2000 year history, a cosmopolitan culture, and a coastline longer than California’s, Vietnam has much to offer.

Chinese, French, and American wars have left brutal imprints, but they also left behind a rich cultural legacy. French food and architecture blend smoothly into Vietnamese culture. Buddhism, Catholicism and Confucianism have left a stunning legacy in the country’s art and architecture.

The tour begins in Hanoi. Hanoi is the Paris of Asia. It’s a city with a poetic soul, quaint cafes, and broad-leafed avenues. Layers of history line its streets. French colonial, traditional Chinese, and modern American buildings lay side by side, forming a portrait of historical harmony.

The next stop is Hue, the ancient capital. Hue rests gently amid jungle growth and the dreamy waters of a meandering river. Students will travel back in time by visiting the royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to its central location between North and South Vietnam, Hue was also the site of a devastating battle in 1968.

Da Nang is the next stop. Da Nang is a pleasant seaside resort, laid-back and tropical. Yet as Vietnam’s fourth largest city, it’s also an economic boomtown. After relaxing where American soldiers did forty years ago, on “China Beach,” we make an excursion to Hoi An, a town trapped in a time capsule. Chinese silk merchants settled here in the 10th century, and it seems as if they never left. We will witness ancient silk weaving skills unchanged for centuries.

The final stop is Ho Chi Minh City — better known to Americans as Saigon.

Saigon is the New York City of Vietnam. It’s the country’s swarming, steamy, economic hub. It was also the ill-fated capital of South Vietnam. Students will analyze American participation in an Asian war at the American War Museum. They will also view the American Embassy, scene of the dramatic fall of Saigon. Finally, we will run like gerbils through the labyrinthine Cu Chi Tunnels.

The skyscrapers, motor scooters, and seven million people of Saigon offer students a chance to see how far Vietnam has come since the war ended in 1975. Saigon is a snapshot of country rushing to develop infrastructure, embrace foreign investment, and welcome tourism.

Zen Morning in Milwaukee

Meditation concentrates, calms, and clarifies the mind. Sustained practice brings physical and psychological benefits. Ultimately, meditation leads to enlightenment. Ideal for the beginner as well as the seasoned practitioner, this tour teaches the basics of posture, breathing, and minding the mind. Discover two zendos. Consult with experts. Achieve peace of mind. Relax. Tranquility is the most immediate benefit of meditation. There are many more. If you ever wanted to learn about zen meditation or kick-start your practice, this tour is your chance. As the Buddha once said, “Surround yourself with like-minded companions and excellent teachers, and your mind-deliverance will rapidly mature.” Give yourself a break. Spend a zen morning in Milwaukee.

Mystical Tibet

Join us for a tour of Tibet, mystical land of monasteries. Perched high atop the roof of the world in the Himalayas, Tibet has remained isolated for centuries, except for the most intrepid adventurers. Religion is a deep force in this mysterious land. Tibet absorbed Tantric Buddhism from India in the eighth century, and this esoteric form of enlightenment came to dominate all aspects of Tibetan life for next 1,200 years.

Study the history of the Tantric path by visiting Tibet’s major cities and historic sites. Highlights include: the Potala Palace, a vast treasure house of Tibetan Buddhist art and the former seat of the Dalai Lama; the Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple; Tashilumpo Monastery, seat of the Pachen Lama; and historic Samye Monastery, where Tantric Buddhism was declared Tibet’s official religion in the Great Debate of 792.

Combined with Beijing, this tour also introduces students to the power and glory of Chinese civilization. Examine how emperors lived in the imposing splendor of the Forbidden City, cavorted at their Summer Palace, and hosted cordial relations with Tibetan Buddhists at the Lama Temple. A rare visit to the White Cloud Monastery, the largest Taoist monastery in the world, offers students a fresh perspective on religious practice in this evolving nation.

The tour concludes with a stop in Hong Kong, exotic gateway to modern China. There we visit the unspoiled beauty of Lantau Island, where the largest sitting Buddha in the world resides. Touring Lhasa and Beijing, the capitals of anceint Tibet and modern China, students of all ages will gain a better understanding of both the rapidly vanishing culture of Tibet and the growing might of China.

Southeast Asian Sensations

The ancient allure of Angkor Wat, the unspoiled beauty of Laos, the enduring charm of old Thailand -- Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the cultural treasures of Southeast Asia.

Wander through the Cambodian jungles and discover the amazing temple complex of Angkor, home to Khmer kings for centuries. Angkor Wat is the most famous of 100 temples on the plain of Angkor, and is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. See the stunning architecture of these intricate temples glow in the radiance of the setting sun. Be mesmerized by over 200 gigantic faces with beguiling smiles on the Banyon Temple. Observe the otherworldly Ta Prohm temple as it is slowly strangled to death by enormous snake-like jungle trees.

Travel back in time in serene Luang Prabang, the crown jewel of Laos, and perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. A pleasant cruise up the Mekong River ends with the haunting cave of Pak Ou, home to a thousand Buddha statues. Develop generosity by participating in an early morning alms-giving ceremony with saffron-robed Buddhist monks.

Indulge in Thailand, the Land of Smiles. Goggle at the Grand Palace, home to Thai royalty. Eat your way through the Floating Markets near Bangkok. Explore Ayuthaya, the old capital basking in Buddhist slendor. Enjoy sedate Chiang Mai, where spas, temples and cooking lessons await your approval.

After 14 days of delicious cuisine, diverse cultures, ancient wonders and modern marvels, you will be left wanting more Southeast Asian Sensations.

Amazing Myanmar

Hidden behind the dark veil of dictatorship, and shunned as a pariah since 1988, Myanmar (a.k.a. Burma) has recently opened its doors to democracy and to the world traveler. Be among the first to behold its ancient beauty and experience its modern renewal.

In Yangon, the capitol, behold the staggering Schwedagon, the “Golden Holy One,” the crowning glory of Burma. In 1996 the surface of this stupa was gilded with 53 metric tons of gold. Kipling described it as “a golden mystery upheaved on the horizon, a beautiful blinking wonder that blazed in the sun.”

In Mandalay, revel in the center of Burmese culture. Behold the majesty of the Mahamuni Temple, the “Temple of the Great Sage.” Wander through the pages of the Kuthodaw Paya, the “world’s largest book,” where 729 marble stupas enshrine the entire Buddhist scriptures. In nearby Mingun, ring the world’s largest bell, weighing 90 tons.

In Bagan, be amazed by thousands of temples resting on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Their silent grandeur is beyond belief. More than 2000 temples stand ready for sunset photography, while double that number are shrouded in jungle growth. During the Middle Ages, a veritable “arms race” of temple building resulted in this treasure trove of Buddhist architecture. One could spend weeks wandering amidst this glorious city that has all but been abandoned.

Burma is steeped in Buddhism. No nation on earth has practiced this quiet religion longer. Discover the beauty of Burma not only in its glorious art history, but in the gentleness of the Burmese people.

Postcolonial jewel, nascent democracy, shunned pariah, Buddhist treasure trove -- Beautiful Burma awaits you.

Samurai Japan

Japan is like nothing else on Earth. With incomparable beauty, refined aesthetics and savory sushi, Japan is the most exquisite country of East Asia. Our tour begins in Tokyo, home of ultra-modern chic. The trendy shopping district of Harajuku and the glitzy glamor of Ginza call to fashionistas, while sacred Asakusa Shrine beckons to the prayerful. Dodge traffic at the thrilling scramble crossing of Shibuya. Then cruise the Sumida River to Tokyo Bay, where Commodore Perry opened the doors of Samurai Japan to the modern world in 1853.

Journey to the seaside retreat of Kamakura to pay respects to the glorious Daibutsu (The Great Buddha). Titling the scales at 121 tons, this bronze statue radiates tranquility. Afterwards, develop your own peace during a Zen tea ceremony.

Ride the famed bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, while marveling at iconic Mount Fuji along the way. Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan. Wonder at the Kinkakuji, which sits like a dainty golden water bird on a placid reflecting pool. Reflect on ultimate reality beside the Royanji, the most famous garden in Zen history. Walk through Nijo Castle, home to shogun overlords for centuries. Behold a bird's eye view of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Stroll through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Relax beneath towering bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Spend a day pondering truth on Mount Hiei, the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism in Japan.

Kyoto is a treasure house of Japanese culture where one could revel for weeks and never see all its wonders. Yet, Nara contains the glory of Buddhist Japan: the magnificent Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple) and its massive Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a beautiful bronze behemoth weighing in at an astounding 550 tons. Next, we visit the impregnable samurai fortress of Himeiji Castle. Then we travel to Osaka, Japan's second largest city, and complete our tour in majestic Osaka Castle. Please join us for a genteel journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Buddhist Treasures Taiwan

Taiwan is a small island nation buffeted by the winds of change. Officially called the Republic of China, Taiwan is a small country parked 100 miles off the coast of the People's Republic of China.

With a highly urbanized population, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries on Earth. Yet, its natural treasures are remarkable. Blessed with a gentle subtropical climate, its green mountains and blue water beaches invite relaxation and contemplation.

Its spiritual treasures include Taoism, Christianity and a deep practice of Mahayana Buddhism. On average, there is one temple or church per square kilometer. The numerous places of worship makes Taiwan perhaps the most religiously-minded region of the Chinese-speaking world.

Culturally, Taiwan is a hybrid blending elements of Chinese, aboriginal and Japanese influences with Western values. Progressive, democratic freedoms are widely respected.

Taiwan adheres to the Confucian value of education. Heavy investment in education has catapulted the nation into one of the top-performing countries in reading literacy, mathematics and science.

As its economy is based on science and technology, Taiwan has become one of the "Four Asian Tigers" alongside Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.

The political status of Taiwan is a highly contentious issue. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, and China wants it back. Taiwan sees itself as an independent democracy, and the people want to keep it that way.

For decades, the United States has refused to say whether it would send its military to defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack. Officially, the US does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation and adheres to the “one-China” policy.

What is the ultimate fate of Taiwan?

Who knows?

Time will tell.

But Time is telling us now to visit this beautiful island before it changes.