Americana Buddhist Temple

This temple, previously named Americana Buddhist Association, was first founded in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. by the Venerable Cheng Kuan, in 1993.

Later on, in 1994, after acquiring a site of about 50 acres, which used to be a camping ground (called Indian Wilderness Park), at Deerfield Township in Howell, Michigan, the Temple has moved to this place since.  The location of the Temple is just about the middle way of Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Flint.  The Temple lies on the north of the Indian Lakes, which are composed of 3 lakes, with a creek (which is called the Yellow River, but we call it the Dhyana River), running from the lakes through the middle of the Temple.  And so with the State Park adjacent to it, the three Lakes, the river, and innumerable oak and other huge trees, the Temple commands an astounding natural serene scenery.

The major practice of this Temple includes Ch’an and Esoteric Buddhist Teachings; the abbot, Ven. Cheng Kuan being a descendant of the Tsao Dong Chan lineage, as well as an Acarya (Patriarchical Guru) of the 53^rd Generation of Esoteric Buddhism (also known as Hsing Gong Sect) through Koya Shan, Japan.

Nevertheless, these are only the main emphases of this temple’s practice, while other schools of Buddhist doctrines are also very well incorporated.

The activities of A.B.T. is generally held once a month, usually in the afternoon of the third Sunday, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM; programs include chanting of Hymns, Dharanis, Walking Meditation, Sitting Meditation, and Explications on the Sutras (Buddhist Holy Scriptures.)  At the time of the Dharma Meeting, offering of Lamps are also made to the Buddhas.

N.B.  Shingon Shu (Esoteric Buddhism) also named Esotericism, Mandalaism, Mantraism, East Esotericism, Yuga Sect, True-Word Sect, Dharani Sect, Arcane Sect, Arcane Doctrines, Arcanism, etc.