tibetan mongolian buddhist cultural center

brookel611

I took my four kids (9,6,5, & 3) to visit the center and we were not disappointed! Upon arrival there was a singing bowl that we all attempted to play - only one of us was successful and it wasn't me! Then we went in to the temple area which had a variety of meditation seats for all ages. We were lucky to have a monk at the door who gave us all a lesson in meditation which was perfectly age appropriate. He was kind and patient and very understanding of our needs - but would you expect anything else from a monk?! He also told us the story of the Buddha and answered my kids endless questions. Once we finished inside, we walked around outside and saw all of the beautiful sand mandalas and spun the prayer wheels saying our new chant we learned. It was a wonderful and peaceful way to spend an afternoon in the snow and cold.

958derekd

Friend brought me here to walk the trails on their sprawling grounds. Ended up exploring the many outbuildings (small shrines, prayer buildings, garden, other structures) as well as entering the main building to see the prayer and meditation room. There is a small gift shop and library in a separate building. I also noticed that they have some yurts (round huts) that are fully equipped (plumbing, electricity, etc) available for rent. Visiting this complex reminded me of both Thailand and Japan. We drove there, and the parking lot is small, so if you go during a time when they are having services, you will not find a parking spot, and will likely end up parking on part of the lawn or over at the gift shop instead of the main building. Also, make sure that you map out your route ahead of time because Snoddy Road is a little difficult to find via GPS on the phone.

Beevee1

The Cultural Center is peaceful and quiet. Nothing exciting happens here. Enjoy the walking trails. Meditate and relax. The volunteers will give tours and explain the art and relics. The Dalai Lama and many celebrities visit the center. Retreats are held frequently. Weekly meditation meetings are held on Wednesday at noon.

GaryH990

No real activity, but worth taking time to visit. Site of visits by a number of movie stars and also, of course, the Dalai Lama, the brother of a former faculty member at IU.

drukeh

One of my favorite places to visit when in Indiana. The grounds and walking trail are relaxing and peaceful. Over the years I have attended retreats and meditation sessions here as well. Last August, I stayed in one of the cottages for a night- very relaxing. A truly beautiful cultural experience....

ForgetThisPlace

...and gain insight into a very spiritual environment. Being uneducated on such matters, we were amazed at our brief visit and felt as if we had been transported thousands of miles away from the hustle and noise of Bloomington. The monuments are quite interesting, the temple was open and welcoming, and the grounds are a wonderful place to wander and to wonder. Everyone was very inviting and we were given permission to photograph anything we chose. We did so with respect and honor. We witnessed a gathering and celebration on the grounds near the temple and have absolutely no idea of the purpose or meaning and decided to leave it a mystery instead of prying.Make sure you go here...especially if you have a narrow perspective.

NDubu

Just returned from a 5-day retreat on the grounds of this center. It was not a Buddhist retreat, but we had meditation to start and end the day. We stayed in the "dorm" of the cultural center. It was clean and quiet. The bed was a bit too soft for my taste, but that did not in any way spoil my retreat. The grounds are lovely to walk around. The yurt style cabins do NOT have wifi...which can lead to increased serenity if you want to unplug.The Happy Yak gift shop is only open on weekends but sells singing bowls, malas and other interesting items.I am renewed!

Sharondelvuk

It is always special to peak into someone else's culture and believes. There is no cost to you roaming the grounds, trays/ bowls for donations. The welcome center was closed when we there on a Saturday morning just after 10:00. Glad that I went, but after being in Thailand and touring the ornate temples/wats...

733christiep

You can go for free to explore this culture and stay at the temple while they are praying, so you can learn more about what they do. The monuments are awesome.This is something that you should definitely try.

badarchs

It's a great, inviting, quiet, serene place to visit. Also of course Tibetan Monks live and meditate there so please keep your voices low and be respectful. Take off your shoes if you decide to go inside temple. T

BillurCC

I discovered that this place existed thanks to trip advisor. We followed the suggestions and went there on a no-rain day. I loved the altars both in the cultural center and in the temple. It was lovely to see all the Holy Books present around the altar in the temple. I loved the decorations and the garden is worth taking a walk. The people who were working were really nice, answered out questions and invited us to a free event later that night. Unfortunately we couldn't make it.

SuperRay

Bliss. Peace. Harmony. Serenity. Just a few of the emotions I experienced when I visited the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. I visited in early afternoon on a damp rainy day but it made for the most wonderful experience. When I arrived I first visited the gift shop and was directed to the temple and cultural center. As soon as I entered the temple, I was overcome by an amazing sense of peaceful bliss. I meditated for about 20 minutes all by myself in the temple. As I was leaving, I was greeted by a monk who welcomed me and we chatted for a bit about life and he gave me a protective blessing as I left the cultural center. I followed a walking meditation path suggested by the monk which encompassed the entire grounds felling the harmony and peace of the nature that surrounded me. The buildings are lovely and quite beautiful. Each different structure defining beauty and harmony in a different way. I strongly recommend visiting if you are in the Bloomington area. The staff and monks couldn't have been more friendly and accommodating. The beauty and serenity are not to be missed. You won't be disappointed.

priscillab921

don't miss spending at least an hour wandering on the grounds of the TMCC. I come here every week and don't get tired of the beauty, peace and cultural richness. I also recommend visiting the altar in the far end building.

82KarenC82

A friend who is connected to the center took me on a guided tour of the temple and the grounds. I highly recommend including this ecological and spiritual sanctuary on your visit to Bloomington, INIt is very beautiful and you can get info on staying in their small cabins near the woods.

393StaceyC

I was not sure what to expect entering the paved drive into the cultural center. I planned to visit here as an educational experience for my daughter while out-of-school, and visiting relatives. We stopped at the mailbox inside the grounds and retrieved a map of the monuments and buildings of the grounds, their names and meanings. There was also a walking trail map within the brochure. We spent time at each building or structure, and found the student building very welcoming and warm to visitors, and there are bathroom facilities for visitors there, too! The grounds are accessible by foot or vehicle, and directions through are very clearly marked. The gift shop was closed while we were there, but we had an offer to have the building opened for us if we wanted to shop. I would visit again when it wasn't raining, and I would make more time to wander around and absorb for a better experience.