Phat Bao Temple

Recently I stopped by for Vu Lan festival. The vegetarian food is free (like all you can eat). You can also get some home for a little contribution fee of $ 5 per medium container. Often many temple go-​ers even brought their own special vegetarian dishes/​desert to contribute to temple.
There is a music band at the temple. I heard they practice every Sunday afternoon. They are quite good. Nice stage set up for the event with many local singers. Enough tables and chairs for everyone. Let see if I can post some pictures.

It’s hard to rate a place of worship because unlike a restaurant, you aren’t exactly there to pay for a service and expecting a certain standard back. So my review is just going to be based on my experience and preference.
This temple is open to the public, anyone and everyone can come. Though it serves the majority of the local Vietnamese population. I prefer this temple over a few others Buddhist temples in Chicago because the location and parking nearby makes it easier to get to. They have expanded their parking lot to fit in more cars, though I wouldn’t park there because you’d likely get blocked in when it’s time to go home because people WILL double park inside the lot. The best parking, I’ve found, is going past the temple and park either by the school behind the temple or along the train tracks (Manheim Rd) on the other side.
The service is going to be in Vietnamese, floor sitting is the the usual here. There will not be any chairs in the main parlor. Buddhist temples are very basic and is all about connecting to your inner self and expunging of desires. No make-​up or formal dresses are necessary. It’s customary to come to these places with long sleeves and no revealing clothes. Get down to the basics is pretty much the motto. Expect to take off your shoes before entering the parlor. I would recommend not wearing plain black shoes, as that is the color that 98% of the attendees wear.
It’s also customary to receive a free meal with every visit around lunch time. The meals are very good and they’re ALWAYS vegetarian, made by volunteers of the temple. It’s usually served buffet style and will even include desserts. There’s always enough for everybody. Since no payment is ever expected or asked of the attendees, it’s usually courtesy to donate some money while you’re there. I usually give about $ 5 minimum to help pay for the food I ate and the upkeep of the place. You can give as much as you want. Donations are the only thing that’s been keeping these places around for years. Drop your donation in any of the collection box in the main parlor. It has a slit for money and usually have one of the gods on top of it.
I’ve also heard but don’t know much details that on Sundays, the temple also opens up for Sunday schools to teach kids to read and write Vietnamese. Every function and event is solely by volunteers who takes time out of their daily lives to give back to the Buddhist community. It’s a great place to go to obtain peace and feel inspired to live each day fully. You should come here on with a friend or even on your own, everyone is very friendly and no one will ever try to convert you. Most days that I go, I’ll be luck if one person says a thing to me. It’s a very individual practice. It’s all about doing it for yourself.