I've always loved going here over the past decades, but I hadn't been in awhile. For me, it was the…read morefirst time I'd had their yakisoba noodles. They are definitely one of the more recent additions. I LOVED them - very flavorful, even though they were only veg. Gobbled down half of one while there and returned later to pick up 2 more to go. I will be getting these again for sure. Nice to have the chi chi dango as well. I'd say this item is also a more recent offering. On the other hand, I was disappointed in the amount of beef on the teri beef skewers for the price. Not sure if this was intentional or not, but they wrapped them up very carefully (perhaps to hide the paltry offering?). Also in the past, I believe you got a discount if you purchased a set quantity (maybe 3?), but that was no longer an option. Or maybe that's only at a different Obon in the area.

This year was our first time going to the Obon Festival in Mountain View. I had been to the temple…read morefor a different event but was excited when I heard they had an obon festival! Before you go, you have to keep in mind the type of event you are attending. This is held at a Buddhist temple and all of the food, activities, and items for sale are organized by volunteers. So, you can't go expecting amazing gourmet food. However,I think they do a wonderful job planning the annual event. Parking-They had parking attendants directing cars where to park. They have an impressively large parking area (yes it's dirt and not paved). Parking is free. You can also look for parking on nearby streets but it's a little tricky. Food- They have outdoor booths where you can order food individually, or you can line up inside (to avoid the hot sun) and order everything together and pay at the register. There was udon, chicken salad, chicken teriyaki, gyoza, hot dogs, spam musubi, manju, sushi, tempura, chi chi dangos, corn, iced tea, shaved ice, etc. Prices are pretty reasonable but remember to bring cash. They have plenty of indoor seating inside the auditorium. Activities- Carnival children's games like ring toss, fishing for a plastic duck, ping pong toss, etc. Games were very inexpensive (think 50 cents per turn). BINGO and raffle with cash prizes. They also had taiko drumming while we were there.

I have been going to this temple since I was a little girl of five. I love it here. The people here…read moreare very friendly and it's very family oriented.

This is an excellent Buddhist Temple . Unfortunately…read more people who do Not know Buddhism have been targeting the Temple for not being vegan . Siddhartha was Not vegan & nothing in Buddhism mandates vegan . Sincere vegans would be more respectful in promoting their agenda but these ignorant posters are actually the Opposite of Buddha . I believe yelp should delete the posts from the offensive cults .

Randomly spotted this temple from the second floor window of the Ikea dining hall across the…read morestreet. Also just so happened to be Tet that day. Decided to stop by. Everyone is very welcoming and friendly. There is a food stand on the bottom level under the main worship hall that serves vegetarian take out. The imitation chicken (made with tofu, tofu sheets, woodear, lemongrass, other spices) is very good. All and all a very peaceful, festive, and worthwhile experience.

Every year, our family looks forward to visiting Chua Giac Minh during the Tet festival! The people…read morethere are so warm and welcoming, and you can't help but feel at home. Plus, the vegetarian food is absolutely delicious and really affordable. If you're looking for a meaningful experience, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out this temple!

I have requested various books from the society over the years as they distribute free books from…read moredifferent schools and traditions of both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. They do practice Pure Land Buddhism, which isn't known that extensively here in the West but is the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in Asia. But their complimentary, images, books, CDs, DVDs, etc represent the breadth of Buddhism.

Many times I borrow or bring home a free copy of knowledgeable moral book from here. great books…read morefor all ages to learn ethics in human being. Borrow books from there instead chatting there for learning ethics knowledge. you get better answers from books.

I love this Zen center, everyone here are nice and friendly. It's peaceful environment which…read morehelpful for meditation. I do appreciate the best Dharma lectures giving by Shifu Jian Hu, helping me to understand more about Buddhism. They also provide outstanding Zen meals. Top all of that, I am learning how to see things as they are, gaining awareness, and mindfulness. Amituofo

I've always been curious about meditation and decided to give this place a try based on other Yelp…read morereviews. My husband and I enrolled in the Level 1 Meditation class, which is free, and lasts for 12 weeks. It definitely is a commitment, but we attended all but one class (due to Thanksgiving break) and really found it so enjoyable and fulfilling. To note, this is Zen Buddhism that they are teaching, so if you are particular about that, it's something to consider. The Shifu who runs the class is really insightful and funny. (I think he's absolutely endearing!!) He made the classes fly by. The way they go is that the first half of class is dedicated to teaching you the basics of Zen meditation (chanting, sitting, walking). The second half is lecture in the dining hall, otherwise known as Dharma talks, which teach you a lot of the practical and traditional aspects of Zen Buddhism and meditation. Overall, going here has helped my hubby and I connect a lot better and learn how to handle stress in a more calm way. We definitely would have joined the level 2 class if we hadn't moved up north. I try to visit and meditate here whenever I am in the South Bay :)

Found out master Dan Zigmond hosting a Sunday half day meditation session. Always wanted to take…read morehis workshop at Esalen (unsuccessful). I signed up right after. I underestimated the drive up in the morning and arrived few minutes late. The meditation session started right on the dot and the door was shut to keep the space for the first 40 min of session. It was okay. I enjoyed the outdoor setting and was able to settle in quite well. The session was extremely popular and it was a full house. I was able to join the second sitting meditation session. It was nice. I enjoyed the talk and the teaching from the master. It was my first time experiencing Zeno and the meditation practice. I loved it. I wasn't able to make it to their lunch and get to know the community. I would like to come back for another program. The drive up here took time and could be tricky but it was beautiful and definitely worth it. The facility is beautiful.

What a delightful spot! A true oasis of serenity in the middle of the Bay Area cacophony. I was…read morehere for an all-day silent retreat and thoroughly appreciated and needed it. Jikoji is run by wonderful people and they deserve so much good karma for helping others through this facility and the programs they put together. The setting is stunning in the Santa Cruz mountains. The buildings are spartan as they should be for the type of center that this is. The all-day silent retreat was surprisingly hard physically. Sitting for so long despite the breaks was really hard for me, I need to work up to it. The dharma talks given by Dan were wonderful. They also provided lunch which was healthy and organic. They also have a less intense Sunday program which is half a day. I highly encourage you to try it out, you owe it to yourself. Please note that their services are free. Donations are welcome, so please give generously.

I didn't realize I could review IMC on Yelp but it's a place after all, so why not. And it's not…read morejust a place, it's a very lovely place. It's the real real. No flash, all substance. Truly, it changed the direction of my life. I am still myself, always will be, but this place and its people transformed and impacted me in ways I couldn't have predicted. My introduction to the practice and teachings from IMC was very important for my personal development and spiritual growth. When I lived in RWC 5 years ago I was located on Main Street near the In-N-out which was walking distance to the meditation center. I ended up going to the center weekly, regularly. I've been living in Arizona since that time and I am still very much connected to this group. I come back yearly to attend silent vipassana meditation retreats at their center in Santa Cruz, simply named Insight Retreat Center. I told you, no flash. It's refreshing to support and be connected to a place that isn't part of the heavily capitalized society we live in, in which everything seems to come down to its monetary value. Not here my friend! IMC has core employees but what it really runs on is the commitment of volunteers. I typically function as a retreat manager when I come to IRC and if I lived closer I would happily give time to this place. In 2017 when I came often, it really helped me with personal challenges I was experiencing. I gained a community of practitioners that are serious about the dharma yet also kind people. I've met some amazing teachers and found my personal teachers of Gil and Max to be wonderful people in the world. 2 of my favorites :D IMC is a Buddhist meditation center that has some very excellent teachers and programs overall. It used to be a former church, turned Buddhist meditation hall. Very peaceful place. It's a place of refuge and to learn about the practice of mindfulness and get your feet wet. Or, be a longtime meditator and get your practice even more in depth. Whatever you are looking for on this path, it's there. I couldn't recommend this place enough. Don't miss it, you could easily walk by it not noticing, and never know the treasures it holds within. If you're unsure how to navigate coming here for a first time, a tip is to go online to their website. They have a robust schedule of classes, guided meditation sits, and general information about the place and people. It's very useful.

Incredible place and teachers, especially Gil who is the pillar of IMC. They hold frequent online…read moreand in person gatherings, kind community, and food for thought. Highly recommend

San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin is located in Japantown, San Jose. I've really only gone here when…read morethey have the Obon Festival and they open up some of the surrounding buildings and have displays of banzai trees and plants, geisha paper dolls, calligraphy, etc. I have several friends and their families involved in the church league activities.

Community and Buddhism come to holistic togetherness at the Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose,…read moreCalifornia. I've gone to several services and dharma talks at this Buddhist Church and really enjoyed the experience. I was surprised about the similarities a the Sunday service here and what I experienced at christian churches. It felt very familiar. What is especially attractive about Buddhist Church Betsuin is the inclusiveness of the community. Everyone was really approachable and super friendly. There was absolutely no pushiness, which I really appreciated. Just openness and togetherness. There are many events that happen in and around the Buddhist Church. Japantown is vibrant and appears to becoming more and more popular. This Buddhist Church benefits the community because it anchors everyone into something entirely unique and special in San Jose.