Overview
What is Enlightened Buddha Temple?
The Enlightened Buddha Temple, situated in Sugar Land, Texas, serves as a hub for Buddhist practices and education in the Greater Houston area. The temple offers daily meditation sessions led by Buddhist monks and nuns, weekly prayers for its members and the public, as well as monthly faith studies with participants from various locations. The temple hosts four significant annual events, open to individuals of all faiths, including celebrations for Buddha's Birthday, Parents Application Day, Vietnamese New Year, and the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Day Ceremony. During summer months, the temple organizes a camp and school for children from various states. The temple also extends its services by visiting homeless and displaced individuals in Houston and conducting a week-long drill for individuals interested in living and practicing as Buddhist monks and nuns within the temple. Overall, Enlightened Buddha Temple is dedicated to educating the public about Buddhist principles and practices while training laypersons in Buddhist faith.
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: One-Star out of Four Stars (59%)
Enlightened Buddha Temple has received a One-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating significant concerns regarding its accountability and financial health. With a low score of 59%, the organization shows weaknesses, particularly in areas related to board independence and the transparency of its financial practices.
The nonprofit performs reasonably well in certain aspects, such as maintaining a strong material diversion of assets score and a high program expense ratio, suggesting that a large portion of its funds is directed towards its charitable activities. However, critical areas like the independence of board members and the accessibility of financial documents have been highlighted as major deficiencies, raising questions about governance and oversight.
Moreover, the absence of a publicly listed website for essential tax documents and the lack of an independent board size contribute to the overall concerns regarding transparency. While the organization does have robust policies in place regarding conflicts of interest and document retention, the lack of independent oversight and financial transparency may deter potential donors and supporters.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Enlightened Buddha Temple legitimate?
Enlightened Buddha Temple is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Enlightened Buddha Temple submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $0
For more financial information, click here
What is the mission statement of Enlightened Buddha Temple?
The Enlightened Buddha Temple carries out its mission by providing training for laypersons of Buddhist faith and educating the public about Buddhist principles and practices in the greater Houston area. This is achieved through daily meditation and prayer sessions led by Buddhist monks and nuns, weekly prayers for Buddhist members and the public, monthly Buddhist faith studies with attendees from the area, and four major public celebrations annually, open to people of all faiths. The temple also hosts a summer camp and school for children from various states and visits homeless and displaced people in Houston, as well as offering a week-long drill for those interested in living as Buddhist monks or nuns within the temple.
Who is the CEO of Enlightened Buddha Temple?
Trung Huynh is the Trustee of Enlightened Buddha Temple.
What is the revenue of Enlightened Buddha Temple?
Enlightened Buddha Temple's revenue in 2021 was $136,817.
Who are the executives of Enlightened Buddha Temple and what are their salaries?
There 2 volunteers at Enlightened Buddha Temple.
Here are 2 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
Where can I find the form 990 for Enlightened Buddha Temple?
Enlightened Buddha Temple's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2021 and can be accessed here.
Mission Statement of Enlightened Buddha Temple
The Enlightened Buddha Temple is dedicated to its mission of educating and spreading Buddhist principles and practices to the public in the greater Houston area. This nonprofit organization carries out this mission by conducting regular meditation and prayer sessions, led by Buddhist monks and nuns, for its members and the public alike. The temple organizes weekly prayers for its Buddhist community, as well as monthly faith studies that attract participants from across the Houston area.
In addition to these regular activities, the Enlightened Buddha Temple also hosts four major public celebrations each year, including Buddha's Birthday, Parents Application Day, Vietnamese New Year, and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Day Ceremony. These events are open to individuals of all faiths, promoting interfaith harmony and inclusivity. The temple also reaches out to the local community by visiting homeless and displaced people in Houston.
During the summer months, the Enlightened Buddha Temple holds a summer camp and school for children, attracting young attendees from various states across the United States. The temple also conducts a one-week drill for its members who wish to live and practice as real Buddhist monks and nuns within the temple. This comprehensive approach to Buddhist education and outreach reflects the Enlightened Buddha Temple's commitment to fostering a strong and vibrant Buddhist community in the greater Houston area.
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Impact
October, 2024
Enlightened Buddha Temple plays a transformative role in the Greater Houston area by fostering a deeper understanding of Buddhist principles and practices among its diverse community. The temple facilitates 365 daily meditation and prayer sessions led by experienced monks and nuns, providing a sanctuary for spiritual growth and reflection. Weekly prayer services and monthly Buddhist faith studies create a robust framework for continuous education and engagement for both members and the public.
The temple also hosts significant public celebrations, such as Buddha Birthday and Vietnamese New Year, which invite individuals from all faiths to participate and connect, promoting cultural exchange and unity. Furthermore, the summer camp for children, attended by youth from various states, nurtures the next generation's appreciation of Buddhist values in a collaborative environment.
In addition to spiritual education, the temple actively addresses social needs by conducting monthly outreach programs for the homeless and displaced individuals in Houston, underscoring its commitment to compassion and community service. The week-long immersive experiences for interested members aspiring to live as Buddhist monks and nuns further enhance the temple's role as a center for serious spiritual practice and development.
Through these varied initiatives, Enlightened Buddha Temple significantly impacts individual lives and the broader community by promoting mindfulness, compassion, and a shared understanding of Buddhist teachings.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Enlightened Buddha Temple. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2021.
- Gross Receipts: $136,817
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $642,692
- Total Liabilities: $455,000
- Net Assets: $187,692
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Organization Details
Founding Year
2014
Principal Officer
Trung Huynh
Main Address
10022 GAINES RD, SUGAR LAND, TX, 77498
NTEE Category
Code: X50 - Religion related
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