A little history of this temple and me: When I migrated from Taiwan more than a decade ago, I was…read moreshocked at how Buddhism was so difficult to find in America. Fortunately, my family was contacted by someone from Jade Buddha Temple. Even though I used to live in Baton Rough, LA, Jade Buddha Temple has ever since been my spiritual center to this point.
Anyway onto the review!
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Located relatively close to the Houston Chinatown, Jade Buddha Temple is easy and convenient for visitors to access from the city without losing the serenity of the usual temple ground.
In front of the temple is a large pond surrounding a tall, standing statue of Kwan-Yin (Avalokiteshvara). If the day is not too hot, the pond has benches surrounding it, so you can admire the pond and contemplate under the gaze of the merciful Bodhisattva.
The temple's largest building is the Hero's Hall (The Main Hall), which houses the namesake jade Buddha statue with Maitreya (Popularly known as fat Buddha) as the cheerful greeter to those who enter the Hall. This is where services and festivals are held, but outside these times, the Hall is a silent yet serene ground to simply sit and behold. Quietness without coldness, simplicity with majestic extravagance, Jade Buddha's Main Hall is truly something that both practitioners and non-practitioners to visit to witness the spirituality and the art of Buddhism.
Behind the Main Hall is a court yard that is followed by the second building, Kwan-Yin Hall, which houses the traditional Chinese Kwan-Yin in front and Cundi Avalokiteshvara in the back. In contrast to the more extravagant Main Hall, Kwan-Yin Hall displayed Zen simplicity in its decor, so it is no wonder that this is the Hall where the usual mediation sessions take place.
Jade Buddha Temple offers many weekly scheduled events, almost all free, to the visitors that include yoga, mediation, service, and sermon. Although most of the staff and the reverends are Chinese-speaking, Jade Buddha Temple has English-oriented events for non-Chinese visitors. The Temple also has some volunteer opportunities to help maintain the temple ground and logistics. At certain times of the year, the Temple hosts traditional festivals including Buddha's birthday to pray for the welfare of all sentient beings.
Whether you are a Buddhist or not, Jade Buddha Temple is worth to visit at least once if you are in the Houston area. The staff and the reverends at the Temple are very friendly and will happily answer any questions relating to life or Buddhism for you! You should temporarily escape from the loud urban environment and take refuge in the Jade Buddha Temple to relax, pray, or simply admire what Buddhism is all about.