It is a very beautiful and natural temple. It's shady and nice to walk around to calm your mind…read more The inside of the temple is also beautiful. If you have a chance, you should definitely go.

Great place to come to enjoy the serenity of a Thai temple. They offer Thai classes for kids on the…read moreweekends (pre Covid). The temple and grounds are well kept and the monks offer services and lead prayers. This temple is a great place to refresh yourself and find peace (at least for a few moments).

I've been to the Koyasan temple several times for the 'Moon Meditation' that Taijo-san leads, and…read moreit is one of the most healing experiences you will have. I'll describe the process a bit for those who aren't sure what to expect- First everyone removes their shoes and puts their bags under the bench at the beginning of the meditation room. The head monk will talk about the origin and purpose of the meditation, as well as give us sacred dirt from the Koyasan mountain in japan to rub into our hands. Rev. Taijo himself is just as humble as you would expect a monk to be, but he's also absolutely hilarious and personable! Before meditation we recite an excerpt from the heart sutra (you will fall behind regardless of how fast you can read or your Japanese proficiency lol. Don't be intimidated!) During the meditation, we sit on pillows and in front of the moon visualizer- sometimes in silence, sometimes chanting. And afterwards there is tea so that everyone can get to know each other! Both caffeinated and non-caffeinated options are available. Now, all of this is a 'normal' meditation pre-covid. While the temple is closed, sometimes we will have a moment of mindfulness in the park instead. I've actually dragged several friends to services with me and they all have been grateful for the experience! When it's safe to congregate again, I look forward to practicing at the temple again!

Just an absolute beautiful temple! Newley renovated, I went out for a meditation class and…read morethoroughly enjoyed myself. Learned allot highly recommend visiting.

A welcoming environment to learn and practice the revolutionary teachings of the Buddha. Safe…read more Friendly. Non judgmental.

The Seattle Buddhist Center presents classes and workshops with a western interpretation of…read moreBuddhism. They focus on friendship and practice as a way to connect with a spiritual path. I have found them to be very welcoming and open to questions about my practice. Their regular Sunday evening event is a good place to start with them. They also have drop-in meditation sessions on Saturday Mornings (8:00-8:45am) with no instruction and Thursday Evenings (7:00-8:15pm) with instruction.

Amazing community, wonderful Shrine room. I always felt very welcomed to the classes, to the…read more meditations and to the Cherenzi on Sundays. it is a Tibetan Budhist Monastery - what a better place to educate yourself and to learn to become a better, compassionate human being? May all be happy and may all be free!

I highly recommend the Friday Calm Abiding Meditation. It's open to the public. They have…read moreintroductory short sits starting at 7:00 PM where a few different short meditations are explained. At 7:30 the long sit sessions begin, consisting of three 20 minute sessions including a walking meditation around the front shrine/altar. I find these longer sits really force you to find your inner calm. I always leave feeling awake, energized, and ready to start my Friday night. Be sure to check their schedule: http://www.sakya.org/sakyacalendar.html Some Friday nights, they have special ceremonies (often not intended for those uninitiated into Buddhist practices) and the Calm Abiding Meditation is designated @Home.

It was our first time to the Chua Douc Su Temple and we love the experience, layout, welcoming…read moreatmosphere for family gatherings to pray for New Year. We will re-visit every year when we have an opportunity. Best Temple so far in Washington in Seattle area.

I visit Chùa Dược Sư in 2024 Vietnamese New Year. I had previously came to this temple on weekday,…read moreonly original smaller temple is open every day and their newer larger temple is only open every Saturday 11AM sermon given by Venerable Thích Đồng Trung (Thượng Tọa Thích Đồng Trung) and events schedule is posted on their website. I had heard about their kids Vietnamese language program and wanted to inquire about it. It is for kids ages 7 years and older. Every Sunday 10AM Vietnamese Language classes & activities of Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Group (moi chut nhat Lớp Việt Ngữ). They have vegetarian prepared food available to buy anytime. i think the atmosphere is welcoming. I had a pleasant visit and will be returning again. It been a few years since my previous visit. I really enjoy their new addition of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known in Chinese as Guanyin, Statues. They are beautifully placed in area. Along with new Eighteen Arhats. I think the new place cards info about them are helpful. Can't wait to see their next project as they continue to rebuilt their temple.

This is a beautiful church: culturally, physically, socially and spiritually. I have attended…read moreservices and dharma here on occasion and always been struck by the congregation's warmth and casual air. Seattle Buddhist Church practices Jodo Shinshu aka "Pure Land" aka "Shin" Buddhism. It is one of the most common branches of Buddhism in the US. Many people note that there are assimilation aspects to this branch: they have a bishop, they call their branches "churches" interchangeably with "temples", and introduced lessons to hymns. These things harken back directly to WWII and it speaks to Shin Buddhism's place in the Japanese-American story. I find the members of Seattle Buddhist Church so friendly, and definitely "teaching by doing". You will not find proselytizing - you really have to ask around to get information about practices, services, classes. One of the best times to find out about Shin Buddhism is during Bon Odori, because the church is open and they have informational lectures at that time. Speaking of Bon Odori - this is the site of Seattle's annual festival to celebrate our ancestors and has been for over 75 years! You will find me dancing there every summer. Check the Seafair calendar for each year's dates. Bon Odori is just one of the many cultural experiences the Seattle Church offers in addition to dharma, Japanese Language class, the bazaar, and cultural enrichment classes in conjunction with Nikkei Horizons Sr. Home (like hula, cooking, ikebana and crafts). Within this church they offer Camp Fire, Boy Scouts, Taiko drumming, basketball, and the YBA - Young Buddhist's Association. It 's a wonderful place for families!! My children have always been very comfortable here even though we're not regular attendees. Whether visiting for cultural or spiritual reasons, you will feel welcome at Seattle Buddhist Church!

So many good memories of this place. Dancing in line during Bon Odori. Learning flower arrangement…read more My sensei who taught me iaido. I attended this Temple/"Church" with my stepmom Lumchuan for several years. They orchestrated services very like in christian churches -- a bit of sermon, stand and sing a hymn together; it was very Americanized, and sometimes I really didn't want to go but I went anyway. My step-mom was a bikuni educated in a Thai monastery from age five on. Though I was steeped in Buddhism at the time, from her teachings and others, I never became a real believer in anything, which is okay for any good Buddhist! I love the idea that belief isn't necessary, that it can even be a goal to let go of such considerations. Rather than belief, for me it's art and literature and ceremony and culture and compassion, the most secular of religions. Even if there were a god it wouldn't matter, since he she or it no less than we are bound to this wheel of sorrows. So, I'd bow to the golden Buddha in the niche of this church and light incense and clap thrice, while Lumchuan fell prone before the Buddha in ecstatic devotion. As a kid that was a little embarrassing to me, to be standing beside my step-mom who goes flat on the floor like nobody else did. But what I'd give to spend another day with her now, gone so many years. Dunno if she achieved liberation or not. All of us seem just a little too foolish to ever achieve that.

I have just recently moved to Seattle and gotten involved with KMC Washington. I am so impressed by…read morethe people here! There are many very long-time practitioners of Buddhism here, and it is clear that they have been sincerely being Buddhists. These are people who have learned from a qualified Buddhist master, and they are humble and have a sense of humor. It is so refreshing! This is a great example of Sangha. As you can see from the photos, the temple is beautiful with a lovely meditation room. This is covid time, and they are being careful, so everything is streamed right now. It will be wonderful when people can gather together inside again in the future.

I encourage everyone to make their own impression but being as this is Yelp, here's mine: this…read moreplace is great in concept but it quickly gave off a cultish vibe to me. And I'm not saying this because I'm a skeptic of Buddhism, as my entire family is Buddhist! My grandfather was a political figure in Vietnam who had the backing and support of the Buddhist party. He also was the one who lent his car to his monk friend on the day that monk infamously lit himself on fire in protest (if you Google pics you can see my grandpa's car in the background behind the burning monk). So yeah, I'm trying to say that I have a familiarity/background with Buddhism. Anyway back to the KMC: Everyone was very nice, but I didn't like how everything was "for purchase" and how meditation classes have a mandatory fee. I'm used to free or donation-based sessions, as most Buddhist temples/centers I'm familiar with are. It felt like they obviously were trying to make money wherever they could, which didn't feel very Buddhist to me? But again, I understand that this place isn't technically a temple or monastery etc so maybe that's the difference. Group meditation felt more like a lecture hall at a college. I personally seek a more intimate, calming environment. Here, they have the ceiling lights on so bright you'd think you were being interrogated. How does one relax and meditate with bright ass lights? Perhaps that's a challenge on purpose? I'd suggest dimming the lights a bit for meditation, even if it means some might fall asleep. *UPDATE*: Upon further online research, I've discovered to my shock that the NKT organization is actively against the Dalai Lama and have been called the "Death Eaters to the broader Hogwarts of global Tibetan Buddhism." There are actually testimonies written by "survivors" claiming how NKT is very much a cult. Make up your own mind about it but the info is out there. TLDR: I don't know if most who go here are aware of all this controversy and that Kelsang Gyatso is opposed to His Holiness. Basically, the sect he's created here is based on teachings/practices that's been banned from Tibetan Buddhism, and there are eyebrow-raising articles online regarding the activity of its members. I strongly urge anyone interested to do their research first because I suspect they're largely successful due to the ignorance of Westerners (their target audience/demographic). I'm giving them 2 stars because the people seemed nice, they provided snacks afterwards, and the lesson taught that day had value, but I personally will not be supporting this center and will seek meditation from a more traditional Buddhist establishment.

An exquisite oasis with hidden statuary and ponds in Seattle. So peaceful and exquisitely…read morebeautiful. It seems to cover all different Buddhist beliefs, and the philosophy is all encompassing.

I enjoyed visiting Co Lam Pagoda Temple they have a very welcoming main entrance. Parking is onsite…read morerather than on the street. And they have a small little trail around the side of the main temple. This trail is good if you go on a sunny day. It can be slippery trail not recommended during rainy day. The view is beautiful on a sunny day from up top of the hill. vegetarian food is always available to buy. Co Lam Pagoda Temple Vietnamese New Year 2024. I came on a Friday of Tet. Parking is across the street plenty of space. The main Hall open for prayers and bottom level is the cafeteria with many vegetarian food to buy and mini games for kids to play. The fireworks are usually done midnight and around 11-12 noon the next day. Decorations and light colors are fun and colorful for celebrating Tet.

While the area is usually quiet, I live right next to the temple and there's a serious ongoing…read moreproblem that needs immediate attention. The people at the temple have large German Shepherds that have gotten out multiple times and attacked other dogs in the neighborhood. It happened again tonight. These dogs are not secured. The gate in front of the temple does absolutely nothing to contain them -- they come and go as they please. These dogs are dangerous, not just to other animals, but to people too. If something ever happened to my dogs, I promise you it would not be taken lightly. I'm angry, and I'm scared -- and I shouldn't have to feel this way in my own neighborhood. Something needs to change before someone's pet -- or worse, a child -- gets seriously hurt.

Great place for people to worship Buddha and Bodhisattvas. And also very devoted master (Thích Hnh…read moreHuy).

Brought my better half by for an event while she was running for local office. She/we are familiar…read morewith several members here. I first met the Master back in the late '80's at a Double Ten event and was quite taken with his "Presence." Palpable energy! Many years later, he requested our daughter sing at his 70th birthday celebration. This night, he spoke with my wife & gave her his Blessing. When she told me that, I told her she had the election in the bag! Landslide victory!

The most powerful Temple on planet Earth. Special location & fengshui. Whoever came visit the place…read moregot an amazing feelings! Purify karmic hindrances by attending class of pratices every Saturday and please don't forget Grand Master's blessings! Om Guru Liansheng Siddhi Hum!