NURTURING LIBERATION

“Planting the seeds of liberation, cultivating wisdom, and moving toward the end of the cycle of birth and death.”
– Venerable Viên Ân

Viên Ân Temple

WELCOME TO VIEN AN TEMPLE
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha

Dear Dharma friends and spiritual companions near and far,

Viên Ân Temple, located at 13915 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, is a serene monastery newly completed in 2025. Here, the nuns cultivate and practice the Buddha’s True Teaching, walking together on the path toward enlightenment and liberation.

Vien An Temple operates under the name Vien An Buddhist Association, Inc., a non-profit religious organization recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All donations and offerings made to the Temple are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

A distinctive feature of Viên Ân Temple is that it is the first Vietnamese Buddhist temple in the United States to receive LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)—an international standard for sustainable, environmentally friendly construction. This achievement reflects a harmony between religion and daily life, where the Buddhist spirit of compassion and wisdom joins with modern responsibility to care for our green planet.

THE JOURNEY OF VIEN AN TEMPLE

In 2002, with the aspiration to preserve Buddhism in a new land, Venerable Nun Viên Ân, together with her fellow nuns, established the first Viên Ân Temple in a small house on Lindell Street, Silver Spring, Maryland.

At that humble beginning, the sangha and lay Buddhists practiced mainly in the Pure Land tradition, offering wholesome Dharma connections to the Vietnamese community across the Northeast region of the United States.

As the community’s need for study and practice grew, in 2012 the nuns and devotees joined hearts to purchase new land to build a larger, stronger temple for long-term cultivation and Dharma propagation.

In July 2017, the first brick was laid to build a temporary main hall. By the end of 2025, the Three Jewels Hall of Viên Ân Temple was completed—marking a major milestone in establishing a sacred Buddhist center on foreign soil.

VIEN AN TEMPLE – A SPIRITUAL REFUGE IN MODERN LIFE

Today, Viên Ân Temple is more than just a religious structure. It is a place of spiritual depth and meaning, open to all, regardless of Buddhist tradition or background:

A place to hear and reflect upon the Buddha’s teachings with compassion and wisdom.
A place to study and practice together, embracing the foundational principles shared by both Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism.
A place to share values of peace, mindfulness, and virtue.
A place to embody the Bodhisattva spirit through charitable activities serving the wider community.
A place to preserve Vietnamese culture through programs such as Vietnamese language classes, traditional martial arts (Vovinam), and folk music.
A place offering bilingual Dharma lessons for younger generations, helping them maintain Vietnamese heritage while deepening their spiritual roots in a multicultural environment.

A SHARED ASPIRATION: “TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF GRATITUDE”

Guided by the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha—Viên Ân Temple aspires to be a refuge for all who seek peace of mind amidst the busyness of modern life.

We respectfully invite you, dear Buddhists and Dharma friends, to visit, practice, and build wholesome connections with Viên Ân Temple.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem always shine upon and protect you on your path of awakening, freeing you from suffering and bringing true peace and happiness.

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha
Venerable Viên Ân

OUR VISION

VISION: THE DHAMMA ENDURES, BEINGS AT PEACE

The temple is a refuge for learning, practicing, and sharing the true teachings, helping everyone live happily in each breath and each step.
OUR MISSION

MISSION: GUIDING THE PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND LIBERATION

The temple serves as a bridge to the Buddha’s teaching — not through petitions or superstition, but through practice, protection of the Dhamma, and living for the benefit of oneself and others, to cut off defilements and transcend the cycle of birth and death.
Read More
OUR VALUES

VALUES: COMPASSION – WISDOM – COURAGE

To realize the core value of Buddhism — liberation from suffering through enlightenment — one must cultivate compassion, wisdom, and courage.

How to Visit a Buddhist Temple in Maryland

Experience Peace, Wisdom, and Community at Vien An Temple in Silver Spring Visiting a Buddhist temple for the first time can be a beautiful experience — a step into a space of calm, culture, and community. If you’ve ever been curious about what happens inside a temple, or wondered how to join a meditation session, this guide will help you feel at home. Read more

VIEN AN TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION JOURNEY

Vien An Temple – located at 13915 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland – is the result of more than 23 years of planting, nurturing, and protecting the Dharma within the community.

Vien An Temple is a non-profit religious organization recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All donations and offerings made to the Temple are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Since its founding in 2002, the temple began as a humble dwelling for nuns and laypeople to rely upon. Over time, the growing need for Buddhist study, cultural activities, and education inspired the community to embark on the construction of a new, stronger, and more spacious temple.

Seven-Year Construction Journey

Preparation Phase (2017): groundbreaking, planning, fundraising, and design.
Construction Phase (2018–2023): foundation, structural framing, utility systems, subfloor, exterior staircases, drywall, bathrooms and restrooms installation.
Completion Phase (2024–2025):

During the final completion phase, the project engaged and successfully completed all required Maryland Third-Party Inspections for the building’s framing, structural system, ceiling and roof framing, concrete slab foundation, and insulation. At the same time, the project achieved LEED certifications for energy efficiency and material compliance. Following that, the pre-drywall rough-in inspections were conducted to certify the installation of electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical systems prior to wall closure, ensuring full compliance with LEED Energy and Insulation standards.

The interior completion stage included the full installation of in-wall electrical wiring, piping, ductwork, and mechanical systems; ceiling and drywall closure; complete floor installation throughout the building; structural correction and adjustment of the interior stairwell; installation and state approval of the commercial elevator system; and installation of all interior life-safety systems such as fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, and low-voltage systems (audio, visual, internet, and sound). This stage also included the installation of the emergency backup generator, HVAC refrigerant piping certification, mechanical system air and water flushing, testing and balancing, completion of the fire pump room, and integration of the central fire alarm system. The commercial kitchen was completed with the full installation of the hood, make-up air units, and appliances.

The exterior and site work involved demolition and reconstruction of sidewalks, parking areas, and exterior staircases; completion of the concrete driveway; adjustment and certification of emergency entrances/exits and ADA-compliant travel routes; installation of perimeter fencing, gates, and landscaping; relocation and inspection of fire hydrants; fire pump system flush testing; exterior and interior painting; site and construction cleanup; and final mechanical balancing and air-quality compliance testing.

Throughout the project, there were multiple permit revisions, rigorous county inspections, and technical corrections required to meet evolving code and LEED requirements. The project team also completed final as-built drawings, incorporating design changes and inspection comments from county reviewers.

In the final commissioning and certification phase, the project underwent LEED building commissioning, passed all final inspections for electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, structural, slab foundation, insulation, ceiling closure, and full building enclosure. After successfully meeting all safety, technical, and environmental standards, the project obtained the official Use and Occupancy Certificate from the State of Maryland, marking the culmination of extensive review cycles, technical refinements, and final interior setup for operational readiness.

Throughout seven years, the project faced many challenges: complex permits, design revisions, strict inspections, and rising costs. Yet, thanks to the perseverance of the resident nuns, the unwavering support of lay devotees and friends, and the tireless dedication of countless volunteers, the dream was realized.

Completion in 2025

In 2025, the new temple was officially inspected and opened for use. This milestone reflects the unity, spirit of service, and unshakable faith in the Triple Gem.

Most importantly, the project was fulfilled through the convergence of many auspicious conditions and the generous contributions of nuns, lay practitioners, faithful donors, and the wider community. Whether near or far, large or small, every act of giving and service became part of the foundation of this sacred temple – a beacon of wisdom, compassion, and faith in the path of liberation.

The successful completion of Vien An Temple was also made possible through the dedicated work of the design team of architects and engineers, who guided the project from planning and design to approved permit drawings. Their professionalism and commitment ensured that the temple was constructed and approved in accordance with safety standards and county requirements.

Today, Vien An Temple stands not only as an architectural achievement but as a symbol of trust, wisdom, and compassion – a spiritual home where current and future generations can learn, preserve culture, and plant seeds of liberation.