I have been attending the Puget Sound Zen Center, both on Vashon and more recently in West Seattle,…read morefor about three years. It is a wonderfully open, cheerful, and thoughtful community, both for experienced practitioners and for those coming for the first time. There are great tips for first-timers here: https://pszc.org/new-to-zen/. I would add two quick things if you are coming for the first time. First, it is a good idea to arrive 15-20 minutes early, regardless of which meditation you attend. It is helpful to get a few pointers on where to sit and what to expect. People will be glad to offer suggestions, and there is always someone assigned specifically to help newcomers. Just ask for "the Shoji." Second, if you do not need wheelchair access, the entrance is right up the steps in the front of the building. The front is the side that looks out on the driveway where you drove in. Like Zen itself, the place has many doors. Like Zen itself, this can be a little confusing. If you need a more accessible entrance, the double doors will be on your right. If they are not open, just knock and someone will no doubt let you in. There is also a satellite Zen Center in West Seattle that meets on Monday nights at Fauntleroy UCC. You can find the schedule and other information for both Zen Centers here: https://pszc.org/.

Warm, supportive community dedicated to learning and applying Zen principles. The practice is…read morerooted in a centuries-old tradition (Rinzai Zen), which feels strong, something I can lean into. When you first start, it might feel foreign, very different, but don't let that dissuade you; the practice, here, is to be true to the discipline while also learning how to teach & apply it in our culture. I also love that there are so many ways to be involved -- from working in the meditation garden, or working in the food garden (food is donated to the food bank), the Racial Healing group - or sitting in meditation on Zoom (every day there's at least one sit). But the thing I appreciate the most is the feeling I get that everyone is sincere, not judgmental or self-righteous. Really just learning how to practice no-self and, from within, transform greed, hatred and ignorance (the vows we say at every sit).

I went to the 2025 Summer Bon Odori Buddhist Festival here. I have not danced here in several years…read moreor before Cvid. I moved to S. Seattle area, so it's closer to drive out now. They use the same dances and music as the Seattle Bon Odori at the Betsuin Buddhist Church. A volunteer let me change into my kimono in the No Access Area where the restrooms by the Hodo alter area was. It's a large handicap restroom that I used before. So it was helpful. At the Seattle Buddhist Church there was no public restrooms to change. They close them up and have sanicans ionly. I changed at a hotel after I went to a fest. At Seattle Center before going to Seattle's Obon. I bought and found some Kimono underwear gear that I could not find in Little Tokyo in LA. I also found small tabis that fot me at size 4.5. So that was only $3 each and found two luckily. I thought I needed more larger size Tabi. Today my left foot was swollen with a sprained ankle. So some of my other tabis did not fit. I wore a brace and only dance "Tanko Bushi," the Coal Miner's Dance. They do this standard dance all over other Obons all over the US and in Tokyo. I was lucky they had left over Teriyaki Chicken bowl and Tsukemono half price. Retail for chicken was $12 , Unagi was $15. It was not as cheap when they sold them 10 yrs ago. Somen was $4. They did not have regular soda. Just flavored water and water. There was a Beer Garden too but no entertainment there since it off to the side of the church and not in a quieter area. There were a few African Amer. In the audience and other non Japanese Nikkei there too. They drew people from other parts of Tacoma, And other areas besides from the Seattle Obon. After 8pm they had a short Obon Memorial Service for deceased members and for anyone who bought a candle for $10. There were floating lanterns and other nice paper lanterns in their small Jp Gardens. Even in Idaho, there is a Bon Odori, Chicago, LA, SF, Sacramento, Vegas, Vancouver BC,. Hilo, Honolulu, Portland, OR. You can probably find where ever there is a Japanese Community like in Brasil and Peru. The Bon Odorii in the Phillippines is more of a stage show sponsored by Jp Corp. , Jp Gov. and they get many locals selling food. I saw it on You Tube.

Came here a few times for Japanese related events such as the Bon Odori and the latest being the…read moreBazaar and craft festival. Each time we are here we are delighted by the helpful staff and the range of both handmade and well curated goodies. If you also are a fan of Japanese sweets, during these events they offer treats like daifuku and manju that is so fresh and chewy! A lot of street parking in the area but be weary, a lot of them are on hilly areas by the UW Tacoma campus! Also, if you can bring cash - some of the items sold at these events are cash only!

Beautiful Temple of Thien phai Truc Lam in Seattle. So proud of Thien Vien Truc Lam Minh Chanh…read more Please read more about this particular Meditation Center at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trúc_Lâm Thiền phái Trúc Lâm (zh. 竹林禪派) là một tông phái của Thiền tông Việt Nam, hình thành từ thời nhà Trần, do Vua Trần Nhân Tông sáng lập. Trúc Lâm vốn là hiệu của Trần Nhân Tông từ khi xuất gia ở động Vũ Lâm (Ninh Bình), đồng thời cũng là hiệu của Thiền sư Đạo Viên, tiền bối của Trần Nhân Tông, Tổ thứ hai của dòng Thiền này. Thiền phái Trúc Lâm có ba Thiền sư kiệt xuất là Nhân Tông (Trúc Lâm Đầu Đà), Pháp Loa, và Huyền Quang (gọi chung là Trúc Lâm Tam tổ). Thiền phái này được xem là tiếp nối, nhưng cũng đồng thời là sự hợp nhất của ba dòng Thiền Việt Nam có từ trước đó là phái Thảo Đường, Vô Ngôn Thông và Tì-ni-đa-lưu-chi, cùng với sự pha trộn ảnh hưởng của tông Lâm Tế. Với việc lập ra phái Trúc Lâm, Vua Trần Nhân Tông đã thống nhất các Thiền phái tồn tại trước đó và toàn bộ giáo hội Phật Giáo đời Trần về một mối.

A very beautiful, peaceful, and calm place! Great place to…read morepractice meditation. Must visit to experience the peacefulness and calmness of this gems.

Very nice temple. Welcoming to all. Good place to go for Thai,Laos and Cambodia NY. Lots of foods…read moreaways after monks eat.

I moved here from Oregon, looking for thai temple, looked the reviews and decided to check it out…read more It is nice and welcoming. They do ask to wear mask inside sala (building). It even has a play area for kids and a big pond in the back. It was peaceful.

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.

Beautiful places with friendly people. Love the head monk he really welcoming and funny. My family…read morefavorite temple.

Beautiful temple I just came from Long Beach California To Seattle now I am in Tacoma at the temple…read moreit is a very beautiful place

I became a member of the Temple a few years back & left three years later. To be clear, there are a…read morefew Temple members who were warm, sincere & always very welcoming. I had a few negative experiences at the Temple that ultimately made me leave the Temple. The Temple is mainly comprised of older members & generations of families have attended the Temple. That's not a bad thing per se, but issue the members are very old school & stuck in their ways. The committee members did not seem receptive to any type of feedback. I will say Sensei Ogui & his wife Miyumi were absolutely wonderful. They moved back to Japan a few years ago. I even went back & visited the Temple and was basically asked why was I there. My hope is the Temple will stay alive and younger, more forward thinking members will keep the Temple moving in a new, positive direction.

Nice atmosphere and friendly people. Great learning experience. Pinnacle of Japanese-American…read morecommunity for generations.

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.

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.