THE VIETNAMESE SANGHA CONGREGATION IN AMERICA DBA KIM SON MONASTERY

KIM SON MONASTERY ORDAINS BOTH BUDDHIST MONKS AND NUNS. THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BUDDHIST MONKS IS A 9-YEAR PROGRAM IN WHICH THE MONKS LEARN THE RULES, PRECEPTS AND REGULATIONS FOR MONASTIC LIFE, STUDY THE DHARMA AND SUTRAS, AND PRACTICE THE PROPAGATION OF THE DHARMA, ORGANIZE MEDITATION COURSES AND FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN THE IDEOLOGIES, SCHOOLS, AND SCRIPTURES OF BUDDHISM. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING MONASTERY FACILITIES (I.E. A MEDITATION HALL, HOUSING AND FOOD) TO RESIDENT MONKS AND NUNS, KIM SON MONASTERY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR WORSHIP (I.E. MEDITATION) AT ALL TIMES AND OFFERS THREE (3) ONE MONTH LONG BUDDHIST MEDITATION AND TRAINING SESSIONS IN MARCH, JULY AND DECEMBER FOR NON-RESIDENT MONKS AND NUNS AND LAY PERSONS. KIM SON MONASTERY ALSO HOLDS RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS (I.E. EVENTS) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON BUDDHIST HIGH HOLIDAYS (I.E. BUDDHAS BIRTHDAY, BUDDHIST MOTHERS DAY, AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR) WHICH INCLUDE CHANTING AND PRAYER.