The Oakland Buddhist Church is the 4th oldest in the US, and one of the largest. Jodo Shinshu…read morecongregations. Despite its size and history, it is a forward looking, community oriented and friendly place. Resident Minister Rev. Harry G. Bridge is a young, personable and humble man (musically talented and gifted with a good sense of humor). He is a wonderful reverend and a great human being. The Church has a pretty good sized Sunday School (we call it "Dharma School", and we have around 60 students), and its two big public celebrations are the Food Bazaar on the weekend of Father's Day, and Obon dancing on the first Saturday of August at 7 pm. We also have a small New Year's Eve Bell Ringing Ceremony at 8 pm on New Year's Eve. The Dharma School is for children two years of age through middle school and we have "Jr YBA" for freshmen through seniors in High School, and the year runs from the first Sunday AFTER Labor Day in September, through the first Sunday in June. If it is your first time, just come--or call to make sure we have service that Sunday. About philosophy: I had my first wedding here 22 years ago and after I got divorced, the Church members were supportive and kind. They do not regard divorce as a "sin" or shameful. Also, Buddhism does not regard homosexuality as a sin. I had my second wedding officiated by Rev Yamaoka, who was the resident minister when i was a kid growing up in the Church. The Church has been very welcoming of my new husband. It is a place where "Everybody Knows Your Name." The Buddhism that I find practiced here has helped me tremendously during difficult times in my life, and the Church members are a wonderful, generous, hard-working and kind community.

Basic Jodo Shinshu Temple of BCA. Managed satisfactorily by Rev. Harry Bridge for the Japanese…read moreAmerican community. The summer Obon Odori dancing are fun!

I'm ringing in Chinese New Years writing a review for this temple. It's buzzing with people wishing…read moreand hoping for a good year. Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!!

As a child, I used to go to this temple with my grandmother. After she passed, her name went up on…read morethe golden wall beside bodhisattva, which means she is a devoted follower. I can definitely attest that the leaders are good people. They mean well. They treated my grandmother well, and visited her when she was in critical condition at the hospital to comfort her. Recently I came as an adult and the elderly greeter was very enthusiastic. However, the things she said were very manipulative and unsympathetic. After teaching me how to pray for a baby, she demanded money for the temple when I got pregnant and warned that if I didn't, I would lose the baby. $300 in fact. She said it more than once without a smile and forced me to say it directly to Buddha while watching me do it. She also taught me that I should go up to pregnant women to inconspicuously rub their bellies. I did not need permissions to touch their bodies. I realize that you cannot control the things that people say, but if she is a greeter, she is not in touch with the standards of society. I was too shocked to realize she was threatening me with money. I hope this review gets through to the leaders and monks of 佛光寺 Fo Guang Si and that you prevent this from happening to other visitors. I know that you are a tight knit group, but from this interaction, I do not believe you are as welcoming to newcomers as you can be. No matter how devoted my grandmother was to this temple, I am never coming here again. For visitors, proceed with caution as your milage may vary.

Such sweet energy. I loved visiting the Shrine. It is lovingly cared for by community members. We…read morestayed about an hour - there is so much to see in each little shrine. I was glad to see GuanYin so prevalent in each shrine. Thanks to all who hold this space

Beautiful place. Very peaceful. Creative and fun way to beautify this neighborhood. Really love…read morethis place. Highly recommend visiting

Date: 7/21/2018 Time: 4:15 PM 70° Mostly sunny…read more Purpose of my visit: Obon Festival! It's my first time attending this event here in Alameda. These cultural events, and I have been to many different ones, are always fun for family and friends. I always enjoy them. It's the food, entertainment and being around friendly strangers. I found out earlier in the week about this event and shared it with my oldest sister. One of her classmates, Gordon, mentioned he was planning to attend. Thus, my husband, sister, friend and I met up at this temple for a weekend outing. We couldn't stay long for the entertainment, the Taiko drummers and the traditional dance before dusk. We all wanted to head home to watch the Bay Bridge Series between the A's and the Giants. However, we will get to see the performers at the Obon Festival in Oakland on August 4. My chicken teriyaki dinner was quite good. I must have lucked out because everybody else in my group said the chicken was slightly dry. Udon in the bowl looked yummy. Yes, I was looking at what other attendees were having. Even the aroma of the tamales had me yearning for one. I couldn't believe they had donuts for $1.00 each. Ooh, I want a French cruller, please. The Ikebana exhibit was eye candy - so pleasing to my eyes and so creative of the people who assembled them. The lucky cranes in various colors (3 or 5 cranes) were beautiful. When we left, we saw a childhood friend from our past. Ethel, whom we have known from elementary school (1960's), was there as one of the Taiko drummers. Definitely we will return next year for the Obon Festival. Good times, good eats and good fun for family and friends.

I loved the fundraising event yesterday. So much patience, love and unity here. Enjoyed my steak…read more& treasures!

Teo Chow Temple. Two floors open to public. Came here on 02/22 to pray for lunar new year…read more Folks are very nice and run by the older generation. Parking and drop off for elders can be tough since you can't park right in front of the temple due to a protected bicycle lane. I've parked on the street close by and never had problems but there are some homeless folks around. The praying over the speakers may be loud for some so I always try to pack headphones for my kid. They prayed in teo chow while I was here. They don't have a website but they do post a paper calendar for large events of the year.

Standing modestly at 2 stories tall, this establishment is far from big but it has what you need…read morefor worship in terms of incense, candles, the major deities and a spot for ashes if you cremated a loved one. There's a small fireplace for you to burn offerings indoors. Place is run by older people and they get crowded during the new year. Donations are accepted.

My mom comes here for the festivals and holidays to pay her respects to the monks and our…read moreancestors. The people are friendly here and welcomes visitors. I am amazed at all the Buddhist statues every time I come. My favorite are the two Hell's Henchmen as my mom tells me. They are two men who comes collect your soul when it's your time to go. One has a horse's head and one has a bull's. It's rare to see statues of them, but in this temple, they have them displayed proudly. Go check them out on your way in.

This Thai temple is such a hidden gem, was super grateful for friends who introduced us to it. It's…read morea legit Thai temple in Berkeley that has a Sunday morning/afternoon market. You trade in cash for tokens, and then trade the tokens for food that is worth different token amounts (I think that's how they get around the taxes and tip). You can always return the tokens at the end of your meal to get your cash back. My top hits were this pho-like soup with beef and I think bone broth? the Thai iced tea, and the kanom krok dessert (the coconut dessert pastries). CASH ONLY Pros: - the soup is delicious - my friend always brings a container to take the rest of the broth home if she doesn't finish it - all the food is super delicious, and all the workers are super nice - LOTS of options to choose from! Thai food everywhere. Decent prices for the amount of food you get - The temple is beautiful and the statues are gorgeous, even if you're not Buddhist it's a really cool environment to be in - They have covered and uncovered tables to sit and eat at, and you dump your leftovers and dirty dishes in a designated pile, the whole thing is a very well-run ship. Cons: - parking can be tricky - Food can run out if you come closer to noon - lines can be long because the food is so good, recommend you come early - can get loud and crowded - lots of dogs, families, kids, etc. this place is popular. an introvert's nightmare LOL I recommend coming with a party of 2-3 so that one of you can stake out a spot, one of you can stand in a longer line , etc.

The golden paint around the gates instantly demarcated an entrance to the Thai temple. I was…read moreinstantly met with a pleasant aroma of Thai spices. First checkpoint was to obtain tokens in order to purchase the Thai food. Well, I calculated that maybe I had enough stomach space for "two meals" at most, but the portions decent enough to satiate my appetite. I want to gate-keep this experience, however I believe that there is enough publicity that this place is no longer an obscure discovery. The roaming temple dog (maybe a lost but well-behaved dog) mad it an extra fun experience. The food is a great intro to what Thai food is! Pick your personal favorites, I believe each item wouldn't disappoint. I would come again with my friends to revisit this place for a relaxing Sunday breakfast.

My friend and I were in town and came to visit the temple first thing off our iteniery…read more I've only visited once prior for the Christmas lighting and Nativity back in 2016. Christmas lighting happens almost every year and free to the public and members alike. They do free tours and put on quite the show with music ensemble and nativity from all different cultures. You'll see much more abundance of sister and brother missionaries as theyll be the one leading the tours. They're so sweet, kind, willing to answer any questions or concerns you have without pressuring you. I came to love the missionaries bc of that. Ofc if anyone does, feel free to let them know you arent comfortable and theyll back off. Hence, coming here during the summer was a nice treat. We actually happen to arrive in the middle of someone's wedding day. It was a beautuful Tongan wedding. Maybe its a sign?? Lol. The parking inside is ample but when it has events, it does fill quickly. We almost didnt find one, but thankfully we lucked in with the three parking. Everyone visiting was so friendly that we saw and met today. (Xmas, too, in 2016.) There's an abundance of flower garden at the front of the temple, a stream, and water fountain. Up the stairs, to the second floors, has another flower garden. It overlooks the city of SF, so its quite scenic. Our church focuses on making sure its clean so everyone that visits has a pleasant moment with our Heavenly Father. Though, a picnic does seem tempting, I would advise against any food or drinks on the premise as its church grounds and a reverent place. A place is only as beautiful,if everyone puts in the effort to keep it so. We hope everyone visiting can treat this place with the same respect. Other than that, feel free to enjoy. :) Such an ideal place to relax and meditate too.

If you are looking for view one the city this is a great place to come to. Just go onto the rooftop…read moregarden and depending on the fog situation you can see far off into the distance. If you are looking for a quiet place to meditate and to contemplate life this is your place. If you love flowers and want to see them blooming year round then this is your place, If you are looking to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this is your place. They have a fabulous visitors center. The staff isn't pushy. I come here for the pure beauty of the place. It's such a great place to find some solitude. There are benches you can rest on.

We went here recently to sit with Ajahn Amaro, a Theravadan monk in the Thai Forest tradition. He…read moreteaches here once a month. It's an interfaith Buddhist monastery, and there is a variety of stuff that happens here -- sittings, classes, ceremonies, etc. The space is absolutely gorgeous! The main temple room is like 3 stories high, with gorgeous stained glass. There are cushions and chairs, the chairs being quite comfortable and sturdy. You have to remove your shoes, and there is a nice plush carpet (light blue, no less!) in the temple room. If it's winter and you're going to sit here, I recommend wearing a lot of clothing or bringing a blanket. We were freezing when we were there. I imagine it's hard to heat a room that's 3 stories high.

Beautiful peaceful healing place. I have traveled 4 hours to just sit inside the monastery and…read moresoak in the good vibes.