I am a member of SGI , Hong Kong, several years now. Firstly, why members are sometimes quite…read more"insistent" or "very encouraging" towards new people to continue attending is that a main theme of SGI is "Kosen Rofu", spreading world peace and happiness through propagation of this Buddhism. Members have absolutely nothing material or similar to gain from people joining, other than they are genuinely happy that others are benefiting from the practice too. The organisation requires no subscription, no tithing, no fees of any kind and you will not be asked. It is however encouraged that you subscribe to the monthly magazine in order to educate oneself continuously and the magazine is also used in our home based study groups, which are like "bible meetings" . The Gohonzhon is only "purchased" after people are true members and prove their commitment to chant correctly. I got the Gohonzon 2 years after joining. The "purchase" is at a tiny nominal fee btw. As for the chanting for material things- This Buddhism understands that materialism is part of the human condition and there is nothing wrong in asking for these things. But all the while, the essence of this Buddhism is chanting Nam Myo Renghe Kyo, to make ourselves truly happy, to polish our lives to be our best selves for ourselves and others, to bring out our Buddha nature, that we each have. We learn how to change "poison into medicine", not to give into life's challenges, keep a "high life condition", practice for ourselves and others, "respect" everyone....This is not a theoretic religion, this is a practical one. Education of scriptures and concepts are learned over years by attending our various meetings and self education. You will ever be judged, criticised, shunned or asked for money at any time. The organisation has approx 13 million members. It is not a cult in any way. I highly recommend joining SGI.

The idea of this practice is nice: if you're struggling with something or someone, want certain…read morethings to happen in your life, you chant...2-3 times a day, every day. Overtime your mentality, spirit will hopefully change because you've refocused your mind & may have "gotten the things" that you were working towards, or conflicts had resolved. You try to lead a life with positivity and positive action. This is what you're required to purchase in order to practice... A local representative (sort of like a youth leader, cheerleader, sales person, social worker, neighborhood member all in one) to call, text, email encouraging you to attend meetings (at member's homes or NYC/Queens branch). An okay little church / communal space in a sleepy residential area- with a "store." What it'll cost you (& I'm guessing the rep / youth leader earns commission per person & encourages you for each purchase) $50 to Officially "sworn in" at a group meeting $40 for the Scroll to chant to $40-60 + (can't remember) for the wooden shrine / hanging big wooden frame to store the Scroll in Clear off a big spot / table in your tiny apartment to sent these things up. $20 for the Booklet & Chants to read $20-40? for the Intro test to study, take & pass. Maybe $20 for the book to study, $20 for the test to take. I don't think I wanted to pay for the second test & stalled on it. Members try to connect & talk up the tests to you, to take more! $$$ (I kept stalling to buy these items) $$ Sort of a singing bowl, to tap 3x before and after you chant $$ A mortar type wand to tap the bowl with $ Plants and water around the shrine. Water things every morning. $$$ other items that I don't remember For an Eastern, non-materialistic practice, it's quite costly! Gosh I wish fundraising for my non-profit was this member pro-active! Although it's members seem friendly and welcoming, their encouragement/ persistence for you to practice could be helpful guidance for newbies feeling fragile and needing support & encouragement (however extremely costly); to overbearing eagerness / cult-like ness, slight guilt in why you don't make time to chant. I was looking more for a nice community with positive vibes to regularly uplift each other, but the 3 times a day chant, chanting that could last up to an hour. Weekly or twice a week meetings. Reps offering to come over morning, evening, help you set up your shrine (actually there to try to convert your roommate), call to remind you of group meetings, call if you missed. You accidentally mass e-mailed higher level organizers about an event that you were having (thinking this is how you create mutual community); instead it causes big drama & phone calls to you (you cannot "sell things" in the group). You move out of the city, still get emails & calls and Christmas cards (after notifying of move...because this sect is "all over the world! & we support all past members.". Call checking up during Covid (nice gesture but this 3+ years since moved). When you post photos on social of other temples that you visit, messages from members who notice your photos (or may be happy that you're still a little Buddhist). You email the new group leader to please remove your contact because you're not interested in this particular sect anymore & meeting reminders, a few emails as to why before you're "removed" (but a few DM's from members trying to maintain contact during it). And you practically beg: although it's a nice gesture, please no more random phone calls & emails. No more contact! Another year later, somehow you're back on the group email list (non-BCC) for meeting announcements. WHY?? I really hope I don't get any more emails or calls after this review. I hope everyone can practice what and how often they want. Obviously this regimen & money structure from this sect, just isn't for me. Or my pocketbook. (No I don't have the items I bought anymore.) Please no more emails, snail mail, DM's, phone calls! Please! Work on you own individual practices and invested members!

St. Sabastian's is about as impressive as they come for Catholic churches in NYC. The place is…read moremassive and could easily fit a crowd of 2,000 and maybe more with standing room. Given the large Filipino / SE Asian population in Woodside, this place is sure to be crowded every Sunday of the week. The inside of the church has a modern appeal with a classic touch. The wide interior, deep walls, simple altar, and elaborate caved ceiling gives this place a real amazing look. Usually the priests are easy to listen to without boring the youngsters to sleep. The choir is situated on an elevated second floor and generally sing so well they garner a big applause from the crowd during the end of every Sunday mass. This is good for those of us who can't sing worth a lick, just let the professionals do their job. What does get me is how disorganized the crowd situation can be. For some strange reason, many people sit on the ends of the row leaving a huge gap of space in the middle. This makes for awkward seating for the late stragglers and even more so for people attending mass in a large group. The other thing is the lack of ushers. During communion, people just get up as they please and flood the aisles making the people traffic all the more congested. It's kind of like a bad club that has little flow of people traffic, resulting in plenty of "squeeze-bys" and difficult nudging from the elderly or handicapped. For the sheer number of people it can handle and the amazing choir, experiences here are for the most part good enough for return visits. Just watch out for the hordes of people crowding the Filipino / Thai restaurants in the area afterward, that's a whole new kind of seat jockeying.

Mass Schedule (English)…read more Saturdays: 5:00 pm Sundays: 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:15 pm and 6:00 pm Holy Day Mass Schedule Evening before at 7:30 pm Holy Day: 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, 7:30 pm

Very welcoming community. Looking forward to services every Friday. Rabbi Kaiserman is the best and…read moreCantor Emily Pincus is fabulous.

I have been a member since 1986 My son Matthew began Hebrew…read moreschool in 1986 Our present Rabbi Mark Kaiserman has enhanced our congregation His sermons are well thought out . Our congregation has grown in numbers because of Rabbi Mark Kaiserman

Selam alejkum wa rahmetula wa barekatu my brothers and sisters. First of all, I want to say,…read moreRamadan Mubarek, second, Alhamdulilah for a beautiful masjid like this one and last, may Allah s.w.a. bless the Imam Nermin. Today, I'm here to open your eyes, my brothers and sisters about wicked people writing negative things about this Imam. I say, be your own judge of character, come down and meet this well soft spoken, well mannered Imam, you will see then that who ever wrote a negative review about him would be questioned by your own experience, I have no doubt about that and you will be here, like me today, writing a review about your experience. Now, I have met Nermin, a few times and every time I met him, he was a gentleman, respectful and loved everyone. Doesn't this review make you want to meet him? You have the address, InshAllah I will see you there, Selam Alejkum wa Rahmetula wa Barekatu.

Family love here everyone is so welcoming and kind respect love very good. this is a great place to…read moreget together with loved ones

I attended the Ash Wednesday mass yesterday and was very impressed. Although I've passed by this…read morechurch on many occasions and have admired its symbolic logistical location nestled in the gardens with beautiful architecture, I never entered. The monsignor who celebrated the mass is a priest's priest. Lovely practical anecdotes were firmly established with the teachings of the Scripture. Further- and I will say it- this organization did not come across as being money hungry. Their genuine compassion and goodwill permeated every single single of my attention and presence in such a lovely setting that is relevant without being pompous or overbearing. Excellent !

Living just a few blocks away from Our Lady of Mercy church and grammar school, gave me the…read moreopportunity grow up in a structured catholic environment as to studies and religion. Serving my maximum time as an altar boy gave me the opportunity to speak to of our parish priests --- as ordinary people --- not just figures of The Cloth that deliver their 45 min weekly message. These talks and interactions always gave me inspiration to carry on in my spirituality well beyond my early grammar school years. The years spent as an older parishioner gave me, mostlpriests sermons, a good understanding of doctrinal and theological concepts and how they relate today. I think it is an important concept regarding spreading the work of the continuing presence of Jesus on earth, and what better place to have that information spread then within the walls of your home parish. There has always been a focus within the daily masses and in the weekly bulletin, regarding praying for sick, as well as for the poor and the afflicted. The heavy emphasis on the corporal works of mercy and the spiritual works of mercy which is at the very root of Christianity, is the message I typically leave mass with, helping your fellow man. ~More content to be added shortly.

This school is amazing my child has been here for 7 years she also had trouble making friends but…read morethis school has helped her make friends my son has also gone to this school and has graduated and he so much fun he has made a lot of friends along the way 10/10 the best school

This is such a beautiful church. Apparently it was built by returning World War II veterans. The…read moreservices are nice, and they seem to have a really packed Spanish mass. Word on the street is that the pastor, Monsignor Mahoney, is pretty liberal with wedding photographers. I love this church.

This is an amazing Sikh Gurdwara. Absolutely fabulous people, very peaceful. The Shabad Kirtan as…read morein any Gurudwara was amazing. Any Sikh or non Sikh should make a point to visit this Gurudwara when visiting New York City / Queens /Flushing etc...

Beautiful guru khar, nice people, langar, etc. waheguru ji ki Khalsa waheguru ji ki fatehread more

It was the first time I've ever set foot in a synagogue…read more And the first time I've been to a Jewish synagogue that lends space on Sundays to a Presbyterian church, for a fee, of course. It is also a synagogue that hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the basement. Yes, I'm not religious. Neither am I an alcoholic. Yet I find a lot of reasons to visit this synagogue, among them the amazing murals of Louis Pierre Rigal depicting a lion, deer and eagle. And the glorious stained glass that casts an ethereal sunlit glow to the synagogue in the mornings. Go and visit, you need not be religious nor be an alcoholic to find it worthwhile.

Astoria Center of Israel is special. New members are not only welcome they are made to feel wanted…read more I came with no expectations but with great hope of finding a shul to call home and I was not disappointed. Rabbi Pearl and his family set the tone for how to make Shabbat special. I wish I lived closer, I recently moved to Bayside from Astoria. I also want my daughter to be surrounded by such wonderful Jewish spirit. The service are truly wonderful and engaging for young, old and everyone in between. I love ACI, the Pearl family and the families and individuals that make ACI so special.