A very scary ass drive from Santa Cruz but it was well worth it…read more Greeted w/ massive statues of many Buddhist icons once you enter the parking lot. I felt a sense of ease the second I arrived. I'm usually not a calm and patient person but visiting temples in general made me stop to smell the roses. You kidding me? Usually I don't have time to stop to smell the roses! Once Gavin and I entered the temple, we prayed and continued to be in awe w/ everything. It was still early and I didn't want to leave so soon so I asked if there is anything I can do to help; setup tables and chairs, kitchen help, anything! I was put on carrot duty. After chopping carrots for just a few minutes, I had a deeper appreciation for those working in the kitchen. It also made me feel blessed for being able to help in their kitchen. Gavin was right beside me, eating oranges and helping me "inspect" the carrots as I chopped them. After what seemed to be forever, we were asked to join everyone outside for lunch. Eating at a slow pace, eating just enough to survive, and forgetting life's problems was preached and lectured before we lined up to grab our plate of food; all vegetarian options. Gavin didn't care for much of the food except the fruits but I enjoyed every single morsel. We live in a world where food is cheap and we take things for granted (including myself). Sometimes it's OK to not have a big feast, a fancy meal, yoga pants, Nikes, chocolates, or even a workout. The things that matters are health and self happiness. If you are not happy w/ yourself then being w/ someone else will not make you happy. If you do not have your health, you will not be able to work or enjoy life. All very simple and common sense practices that we tend to forget.

Driven by a desire to visit this peaceful monastery, we drove 75 miles yesterday only to be met…read morewith total disappointment. The main entrance was completely chained up, and the grounds looked entirely deserted. While there are older mentions of a multi-year reconstruction project started around 2022, it is deeply frustrating that there is no current signage, status update, or warning for visitors. Their official website is primarily in Vietnamese, and the limited English sections make no mention whatsoever of a total public closure. If you are planning a trip here, please be warned that it appears closed to the public with no clear timeline for reopening or completion. I sincerely hope the temple management updates their online English platforms soon so other travelers don't waste hours on a long drive.

Absolutely spectacular! Tam Tu Metta Buddhist Temple and Heritage Garden is grand, beautiful, and…read moregenuinely awe inspiring. The towering Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, intricate architectural details, and peaceful gardens create an incredible atmosphere. I spent a good 30 minutes meditating here and found it a wonderful place to slow down, reflect, and enjoy some tranquility. One fascinating detail is that the two monumental statues of Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva stand approximately 35 feet tall. The temple was founded in 2010 by Vietnamese Buddhist monk Venerable Thich Phap Chon, with a vision of preserving Buddhist teachings and Vietnamese cultural heritage for future generations. The grounds also feature Buddhist scriptures and teachings displayed on stone pillars throughout the garden. This is much more than a beautiful photo stop. It's a special place to experience peace, spirituality, and incredible artistry. A true hidden gem in Morgan Hill and well worth a visit.

Tam Tu Metta Buddhist Temple (Vietnamese style) in Morgan Hill, CA is definitely for people who…read moreenjoy walking around cultural sites underneath the hot sunshine and love visiting beautiful photo spots. The place has been closed for so long, especially during pandemic, but they are open to the public daily. Found a sign that shows open daily 9am-5pm these days. Only the main building is closed during weekdays, but open on weekends. Free parking & free admissions. Parking lot is wide and spacious. EV friendly. They are still doing renovations and maintenance work, but it's definitely worth visiting, especially if you like beautiful temples and views onsite. You can take and snap as many photos at the landscapes and buildings as desired. Plants and flowers are gorgeous. There's a small fruit stand across the street if you want to buy something nearby. Overall, cultural sites are beautiful landmarks, especially in California. Vietnamese Buddhism culture has grown and it gets even more exciting during important holiday celebrations. I'm really glad that the Tam Tu Metta Buddhist Temple is open now.

If there were such a thing as a Disneyland for Buddhism in an American setting, the closest thing…read moreto that would probably be the Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) sanctuary, nestled in the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains near the quiet town of Soquel. I mean no disrespect by this (the organization calls itself a "Dharma Wonderland"), as the narrative below will make clear. Our visit had a dream-like quality to it. It was a weekday, with no scheduled events. As we wandered about, we encountered few people. The handful we did encounter were all very pleasant, exchanging greetings and information with us, as if we were all kindred spirits. It wasn't clear to us initially where the physical boundaries of LMB were. Just as we thought we had reached the end, we discovered yet another temple or other point of interest ahead. Each temple was different, in terms of style, purpose and size, as well as architecturally. The most impressive for me was the 100,000 Stupa, the Mahabodhi Temple replica, which looked like something out of an Indiana Jones adventure movie. That's the 39-foot-tall replica of the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple in India, where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment. But the most profound personal experience for me was provided by the Wish-Fulfilling Temple farther up the road. The gleaming golden Buddha standing off to the side emanated such a special aura of kindness and omniscience that I was inspired on the spot to do something I had never done outdoors before: I prayed. I prayed for several minutes, in fact (though I'm not even Buddhist). Prior to that, at other temple spots, we spun various prayer wheels, large and small. I pushed a large wooden column, suspended like a swing, into a heavy ornate bell several times. It emitted a "bong" that filled the surrounding wooded enclave with its strong yet soothing sound. Across from the bell was a gong, with two different instruments designed for striking it, hanging on either side. One had a solid soft plastic end to it, the other a fuzzy soft material obviously designed to produce a more muffled sound. Placards with background information and instructions for chants were posted in all appropriate places. I especially appreciated the fact that simplified versions of chants were provided, for those of us for whom the full chant phrases were too difficult to remember. Rustic benches made from split logs were available in various spots from which we could admire the views of the forested mountains nearby and in the distance. Most visitors will probably find the trail challenging -- if you hike to all the temples during your visit -- unless you're both young and in top shape. Here are a few other tips: * The road into LMB is one-lane only. If you meet a vehicle coming toward you from the opposite direction, one of you will have to pull off to the side to accommodate the other. This must be done very carefully, as the shoulders -- where they do exist -- are narrow and the drop from the side can be steep. * There is a food "truck" within the compound but it will not necessarily be open (it wasn't when we visited), so either bring your own food or plan to eat before or after you drive in. A vegetarian restaurant called "Pretty Good Advice" (covered in a separate review) is about 2.8 miles away from the entrance to LMB. * Read the information on the LMB website before going, to be able to fully appreciate your visit. We found no maps available at the compound, so I highly recommend that you print one out from the website. * At the very least, check the information on the LMB website before you drive there, to make sure it will be open. If an event is scheduled, keep in mind that parking is limited and make sure you feel up to the challenge. * You may not be approached by anyone to make the suggested $20 per vehicle donation but this can be done at the bookstore/gift shop near the compound's entrance (if you can't afford $20, then offer whatever you can). I have it on good authority that those who do so will be rewarded with good karma!

This really is a hidden gem. Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat had much more to explore and…read moreexperience than I expected. The hiking path was so beautiful, as I thought, but it also had things to see and read... and usually a place to sit while you ponder the Buddhist quote about life's philosophy. You pass not only tall Redwoods, but also a koi pond and tucked away buddhas from different Asian countries -- China, Tibet, India. There are also other areas to explore on the property, such as a meditation area, store and cafe, prayer area, drums and chimes, statues, and waterfall. There were also docents here and there whom you could talk to. (Note that the meditation area where the waterfall and statutes are located are fenced in and are only open at certain times.) There is a $20 entrance fee per car, but I think it is worth it for the upkeep of the property.

Beautiful place to visit hidden between redwood trees. Very quiet I would go back again whenever in…read moretown.

Very nice old place with friendly staff, this temple is clean and serene. Lovely environment to…read morevisit and contemplate life for a while.

Love this Buddhist temple, so serene! Worth driving away from city for this…read more Easy to get to, well-maintained, lots of parking, beautiful landscaping, clean, very open space for kids to run around! Highly recommend. Great vegetarian food too!

Small temple in Morgan hill ran by female monks. Everything is spacious and they had a nice koi…read morepond.

Sambosa means "Three Jewels," and stands for the Buddha (teacher), Dharma (the teaching) and Sangha…read more(spiritual community.) This tranquil Temple was created in the early 70's, and is the first Korean Buddhist temple ever built in the U.S. They opened their doors to the public and on opening day, 400 people, including the mayor of Carmel and other prominent monks, flooded Sambosa. The Temple has had its shares of ups and downs, including an unfortunate fire in the 1980's that burned down the main Dharma Hall. But it has withstood the test of time and still remains a graceful and quiet symbol of peace in the Valley. The current abbot is Bom Hugh Sunim, and his teachings explore his particular vision of a nonsectarian approach to religion, philosophy, and life. My mother was friends with one of the followers of the Temple, and being the same age as her twins, we often played together. It's a beautiful place to reflect and slow down, even if you are not a practicing Buddhist...although it seems like the ideal religion for every walk of life.

My family visits Sambosa Temple once a month, and I feel really comfortable and happy.read more

A warm and welcoming temple. So beautiful and congregation was very sincere, and the vibe is very…read moreserene and peaceful.

Review on the 65th Annual Obon Festival…read more In comparison to the Artichoke Festival, Obon was a mile ahead in terms of ambiance, events, and attractions but suffered tragically in the food. Perhaps, I had expected too much and should have realized that it was going to be your typical Americanized Japanese Cuisine instead of authenticity. Here were a few faults I saw, Ice Cream/Strawberry Shortcake: packaged Hostess Shortcake topped with sliced strawberries. If they actually made their own shortcake it would have been cheaper, less artificial and tastier. Beef Teriyaki: poor quality meat, minimal flavor, decent grill Tempura: under fried, flavorless, bad batter, expensive and no tempura sauce; truly a disappointment Sushi: spam musubi, don't know how they managed to ruin it Chicken Teriyaki: good portion was the only highlight....meal was heated in microwave, chicken appeared to be boiled then tossed in a teriyaki sauce (brand found in Costco) with soy sauce. Truly a disappointing meal Lumpia: poorly fried, soggy center, and bland Kushi-Katsu (pork katsu): amazing golden brown exterior, great crunch texture but pork needed more seasoning Pros No entrance fee!!! -Program w/ a map (shows thought and organization was put into the festival) -Walk around offering free tea to drink -Water/Soda area was inexpensive, only $1 -Cookies: appeared homemade, inexpensive ($1 for 3) -Plethora of Entertainment -Decent exhibits and gift shop -Portion of proceeds went to help with Japan Relief Overall Thoughts While there is plenty of things to see and do don't come here looking to satisfy your palate because you surely will be disappointed.

Amazing experience!! I felt so calm and staff is too kind and generous .Thank God for giving me the…read moreopportunity to be there .

Beautiful and serene place of worship. It was busy today because it is MLK day, yet it felt so…read morepeaceful and calm. Beautiful architecture and it was wonderful and centering to hear the monks chanting. They were also giving out free food for everyone, which was a nice gesture. Unlike some other places of worship that I've been to, where I am clearly not from the primary cohort of people who go there, this spot was very welcoming, and I did not feel out of place.

Very beautiful temple up to the hill near the gilroy outlet…read moreI was there February's 18, h 2024 The temple needs money to dig the well , they need water

Disappointed I drove out for one hour and this temple is closed. The website said it was open but u…read morecan see that it's definitely closed.