Join Us for a Visit to Chua Nam Quang Temple – April 12th @2:00 PM

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Enneadic Star Pronaos Portland, OR
Join Us for a Visit to Nam Quang Temple – April 12th @2:00 PM
We are pleased to invite you to a tour of Chua Nam Quang Temple in Portland, Oregon, on April 12th at 2:00 PM.

This beautiful Buddhist temple, nestled in a 3.5-acre garden sanctuary, is a place of tranquility and connection with nature. We will have the opportunity to experience the transformative space that has been lovingly cultivated over the past five years, from a bare landscape to its current log covered paths and lush edible vegetation.

What to Expect:
A Guided Tour: We’ll be guided through the grounds, exploring the 4 Holy Places, four spaces thoughtfully designed to represent significant Buddhist sites. The garden, rich with diverse flora and a growing network of mycelium beneath the mulch, also features rare mushrooms and abundant birdlife, which are cherished daily by the caretaker, Lynn.

Beautiful Pagodas & Rest Areas: We will have time to pause at one of three pagodas on the property, where we can relax on hammocks or chairs and take in the peaceful surroundings.

Location: Chua Nam-Quang Temple, 3337 NE 148th Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Images: Visit a gallery of the temple on Yelp photos here

Duration: The tour will last approximately 1 hour and a half with a guided exercise

Dress Code: We will ask that you remove your shoes when entering the temple itself.

Photos: Feel free to take photos during the tour, but please be respectful of the sacredness of the space.

After the Tour: We’ll conclude our visit by enjoying a meal at your choice of the local food trucks nearby. You can choose from a variety of cuisines to suit your taste. Some suggestions are listed below. The food trucks are within a very short drive from the temple down Sandy Blvd.

Restrooms are available on-site. Although there is no entrance fee, the temple graciously accepts donations.

Accessibility Notes:

The walking paths are made from logs, providing solid footing but are not completely level. While elderly visitors regularly navigate these paths, please use caution if you have any mobility challenges.

For more information about the temple, visit their website: Nam Quang Temple

Schedule: 2:00 PM: Arrival and Welcome Meet at the temple entrance beneath the large Buddha Statue Brief introduction to Chua Nam Quang Temple and its history

2:10 PM: Guided Tour of the Inner Garden Sanctuary with a 20-25 minute gentle guided Qi Gong routine
Exploration of the 4 Holy Places and plaques displaying the Noble Eight-fold Path
We will walk the spiral which is also the cycle of life represented through statues
Qi Gong guided by Aaron beneath the cherry trees  

3. 2:45 PM: Exploring the Outer Garden Sanctuary
Keep your eyes peeled for flowers of every color and intone vowels to the corresponding colors
Insights into the collaboration with the city and volunteer efforts in garden maintenance
Overview of the mycelium network and unique mushrooms (you might see some rare species)
Collaboration with local arborist for mulch and logs
Produce and pollinator friendly vegetation grown at the temple
New Statues installed last year facing the 4 directions
With so many paths as in the Noble Eight-fold path and the mastery of life – explore a little and we will meet back at the Temple for a different experience

4. 3:10 PM: Temple and Library Tour – (shoes off!)
An opportunity to visit the inner temple
See the massive instruments and intricate sculptures of beings within
A Brief visit in the library sanctuary

5. 3: 20 PM:Rest and Reflection at Pagodas
Time to sit, relax, and reflect in the pagodas on the property with a guided meditation

6. 3: 3 0 PM:Wrap-Up and Departure
End of formal tour
Group meal at local food trucks (optional, at your discretion)

Some local food cart options:
1. El Yucateco Food Cart Address: 11807 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220 Description: Specializes in Yucatan-style cuisine, offering dishes like panuchos, tacos, tortas, bowls, burritos, and burgers. Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Website: El Yucateco Food Cart

2. Rose City Food Park Address: 5235 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213 Description: A vibrant food cart pod featuring a variety of local food trucks, offering diverse cuisines in a communal outdoor setting.  Atmosphere: Family-friendly, with covered and heated seating options, making it suitable for various weather conditions. Website – https://www.rosecityfoodpark.com/

3. Tidal Boar Foods Address: 5211 NE 148th Ave, Portland, OR Description: Offers sustainable and locally sourced seafood, including oysters and Dory-caught options.  Note: Located very close to Chua Nam Quang Temple, making it a convenient choice for our group. Website – https://www.tidalboarfoods.com/

4. Grant’s Philly Cheese Steaks PDX Address: 15350 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland Or 97230 Description: Authentic Philly flavors with perfectly seasoned steak and melted cheese. Serving Portland over 20 years! Note: Many variations of delicious! Website – https://www.grantsphillycheesesteakspdx.com/contact

We look forward to sharing this peaceful and inspiring experience with you! Fraternally,
Aaron Howard  
  A marble statue of Buddha and his students. This depiction of one of the 4 Holy Places shows the first class that Buddha led. There is an incense holder on a marble platform in front of the Buddha as well as a table that holds a mailbox under it's surface containing incense. A pot rests on the groudn tot he left holding branches that were trimmed during spring cleanup. Trimmed branches are soaked in water to encourage the blooms to continue emerging even after being cut off from the tree. Lush foliage surrounds the display and you can see the sunlight peaking past nearby structures while shining on 2 students on the right and the platform before the Buddha where one may feel compelled to stand and learn with this class. A picture taken from the ground to give a lower perspective. What is seen is a brick pathway leading to the Chua Nam-Quang temple entrance. The pathway is covered with pink flower petals from the blooming cherry trees. You'll also take note of the plaques on either side of the pathway leading to the temple. The plaques share the Noble Eightfold Path with visitors: a deeply moving teaching on doing inner work preparing ones self for betterment. For self-mastery. A marble statue of Buddha sitting and being approached by 2 feminine statues with their arms and hands in various positions. You may feel yourself compelled to imitate their positions and discover tension draining from your body as you unwind with them. Behind the stature you'll see the entrance to the 4 holy places, trees in bloom and the garden field in the distance. You can also feel the clean air coming into your lungs as you appreciate the scene.  

Helpful links

Website for Pacific Northwest Region, AMORC    
Blog Site for the Pacific Northwest Region of AMORC    
Our Meetup Group    
AMRA Donations

Enneadic Star Pronaos (ESP)

Frog Pond Grange:

27350 Stafford Rd; Wilsonville, OR 97070

Parkrose Lodge

4812 NE 102nd Ave; Portland, OR 97220

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