Our History
The International Buddhist Meditation Center (IBMC) in Los Angeles was founded in 1970 by Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An, a scholar and Zen Master from Vietnam. He came to the United States as a visiting professor at UCLA, and at the urging of his students, founded the center to provide a place for them to practice meditation and Buddhism.
When Dr. Thien-An died in 1980, Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma, one of the founders of the center, became the abbess. Under her direction the IBMC staff continued IBMC's activities. IBMC was one of four original Zen centers founded in the United States to promote meditation and Buddhism in English to interested Americans.
IBMC has a long history of ordaining Westerners as bhikshus, bhikshunis and Dharma teachers. At the Grand Ordination in December 1994, IBMC had a full ordination ceremony presided over by Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma, Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara and invited Asian masters. IBMC had another Grand Ordination in 2004.
At the present time IBMC, is not training or ordaining new monks, nuns or Dharma teachers.
IBMC monastics will perform weddings, funerals and blessings when given advance notice.
IBMC also offers a refuge and 5-precepts ceremony for Buddhist laypeople/householders for Vesak in April or May (at the discretion of a Dharma teacher).
When Dr. Thien-An died in 1980, Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma, one of the founders of the center, became the abbess. Under her direction the IBMC staff continued IBMC's activities. IBMC was one of four original Zen centers founded in the United States to promote meditation and Buddhism in English to interested Americans.
IBMC has a long history of ordaining Westerners as bhikshus, bhikshunis and Dharma teachers. At the Grand Ordination in December 1994, IBMC had a full ordination ceremony presided over by Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma, Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara and invited Asian masters. IBMC had another Grand Ordination in 2004.
At the present time IBMC, is not training or ordaining new monks, nuns or Dharma teachers.
IBMC monastics will perform weddings, funerals and blessings when given advance notice.
IBMC also offers a refuge and 5-precepts ceremony for Buddhist laypeople/householders for Vesak in April or May (at the discretion of a Dharma teacher).
