David Dang, 16, lives in Houston but has come to Port Arthur the past three summers to attend Buu Mon Buddhist Temple’s language and Dhamma study summer program.

His mother worked community service in Port Arthur before moving to Houston and his father lived at the temple for five years when Dang was just a baby.

“This is a place I can feel really peaceful and have time to think about things,” Dang said. “I’ve learned meditation; it helps the mind from outside forces and to be peaceful. I will definitely come next year. I met new friends.”

Amanda Nguyen, 15, of Groves, also made new friends at the program in addition to learning new things.

“There’s a lot going on here. We have some really good cooks and I’ve learned more about Buddhism, compassion, and the way of life,” Nguyen said.

The Rev. Thich Huyen Viet said 40 boys from age 8 to 16 are lodging at the temple this week to learn more about the Buddha.

Danny Dubuisson, public relations specialist for Buu Mon, said attendance has ballooned over the week from beginning with five kids, and now with a total of 40.

“We have kids from Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur,” he said. “We had this here a long time ago. We had four kids here last year.”

Viet said the fact more buildings at the temple now have air conditioning and better lodging has been a plus. They’re also planning the program for next summer.

Dubuisson said the summer program grew out a Vietnamese language class held every Sunday and now they finally have the facilities to host a summer program. He added that Buddhists and non-Buddhists are welcome to the program.

In addition to learning their mother language of Vietnamese, they learn Vietnamese heritage and traditions, the teachings of the Buddha, common rules, the history of Buddhism, chanting and service at the temple. In fact, the students perform chores to take responsibility, follow a schedule, help out where needed, interact and have some fun.

“They do good everyday in the tiny things,” Viet said. “Instead of staying home during the summer and watching television or playing video games.”

The Rev. M. Kassapa said parents have been “a great help preparing the meals” and are “giving back to the temple.”

For information about the temple, located at 2701 Procter St., call (409) 982-9319.