The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History and Facilities

Sounsa Buddhist Temple was founded in 1985 to provide informal worship, Dhamma teaching, and individual counseling for Korean immigrants, their families, and Korean national students. The original members took turns hosting services in their homes, but in 1989 the community converted a residential home in Upton to a Korean Buddhist temple. The temple now includes a Dhamma hall, monks' living quarters, a personal mediation room, a tea room, and a study/library room containing Korean and English texts as well as an Internet connection through a multimedia PC workstation.

Activities and Schedule

Sunday devotional services, consisting of bowing, chanting, and meditation, are held in Hangul (the Korean language) for a congregation of Korean Americans, as well as other interested lay people. Sounsa also serves as an "island" of Korean culture where 2,500 year old Buddhist philosophy, Korean language, and Korean food provide the first and second generation Korean members with a familiar environment in which to meet and interact. Leaders of the temple write, "non-Korean members also cherish the civility and wisdom offered by a culture that predates their own by many hundreds of years."

Meetings take place on Sunday at 11:00 A.M.