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.

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.

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.

This small temple is run by female monks. The head eldest monk is Ni Sư Thích Nữ Giác Hương Trụ…read moreTrì. They built a new much larger temple that has been under construction since November 2016, have yet to be completed due of lack of funds. The newer building is not open to the public (visitors) at the moment until proper permits to and completion of the building. They have service (in the smaller older building) weekends (Saturday & Sunday) mornings at 9 am and evenings 5 pm. They always welcome to visitors when gates are open. Parking inside the gates is highly recommended, there is plenty of room. They do offer vegetarian food for sale that they made. It's best to give them a call if you have any other questions.

Wonderful place to come and meditate or to do workshops. You enter from the back of a small,…read moreunassuming brick building a few blocks north of Jefferson Park, through an equally unassuming but still exquisite Japanese garden with a large brass bell at one end. The meditation room, in the basement of the building, is relaxing and quiet. There are free podcasts to listen if you go to the website. If only I didn't live so far...

serious about meditation. Kind, friendly people. Ancient tradition. Great for anyone serious…read moreabout meditation.

Great church, they finally made it to Renton. Been a fan…read morefrom the beginning. Great religious science message. Love Rev. Gayle! Love the music. The Carco theatre it a great space. Come on down.

This is the spiritual home I searched for for forty years. I've done a lot of "church-hopping", but…read moreI knew this one was the place I was looking for before the first service was over. Genesis teaches ancient wisdom and new thoughts about it. It doesn't matter if you come from a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or atheist background. It doesn't matter if you're gay straight or somewhere in between. It doesn't matter if you are white or a person of color. We are all God in Form, and by changing your thinking you can change your life. Genesis teaches the spiritual tools to do that. It's more than a church: this is a home for living a spiritual - not religious - life.

Great place for family! They offer vegetarian food you can buy anytime!read more