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 :)

I've visited many temples in the past due to my Buddhist mother dragging me, but this temple is the…read moreonly one that I really enjoy and actually will go on my free will. :P I took the level 1 meditation class in English, which I find is really rare. The other temples that I've been to only speak Chinese or Vietnamese. I don't understand Chinese very well, so I was very happy to find English courses here. The teacher is Shifu JianYing, who is a happy and funny monk. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. The lectures are enlightening, fun, and enjoyable. I highly recommend taking the class if you have time (once a week for 2 hours for 12 weeks), and it's free too! :)

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.

Tucked away in the old part of San Jose, Pao-Hua Buddhist Temple is visible from far away with its…read morebeautiful architecture but the entrance is easy to miss. The temple feels like a hidden oasis surrounded by an ordinary neighborhood. The temple is especially beautiful in the spring with its vibrant gardens filled with blooming flowers. The ponds add to the serenity and peacefulness. The temple itself is not very big and you can quickly explore all of it. Everything is kept clean and neat. There is usually plenty of parking and there are even restrooms for guests. On busy weekends and holidays you may have to park outside the premise. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Overall, I'd highly recommend visiting Pao-Hua Buddhist Temple whether you are spiritual or not. It's a peaceful spot to reflect and enjoy.

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 love this temple Every time me and my husband went to…read morethis temple always make me feel happy and want to praying. Some temple we attend it make me feel scared and not happy, but this one we always go. I recommends this temple because they are always welcome everyone not like some temple at Stockton and sacramento.

I am so glad that the temple is open post Covid. I needed a place to quiet the mind and practice my…read moremeditation and Wat Buddhanusorn is a perfect place for anyone seeking peace. The temple is open for anyone who wants to practice meditation inside or outside of the temple. There is a nice pathway that circles the temple and not a lot of people come here during the morning or afternoons. It's free and open to the public, social distancing is practiced and everyone wears a mask (even the monks). I have been back to my Tuesday evening meditation group here for almost a yr, thanks to Covid (jk), via Zoom. We still meet through zoom bc it is so easy for anyone who lives far away, or can't make it with the commute. I really enjoy talking to Ajahn Maha Prasert, the Abbott at the temple and he is so kind and easy to talk to. The Abbott really cares about the well being of people and I am so blessed to be a part of this community. I really feel so welcome every time I come here. I'm non-Thai and it doesn't matter because everyone here is so kind and will help you if you are new. It's a really lovely community between the sangha and lay people. I really feel like I'm in Thailand at times, lol! If you're missing Thailand and the beautiful Thai community this is the place to be! I'm so glad it's available to anyone for free.

Very modern temple, with humble garden settings on a cliff side beautiful views. The light…read morerefreshing feeling you get once inside with the lovely stained glass windows depicting the Buddha's life shines light on the founder Shinjo Ito's sculptures displayed in the main altar room. This temple, interestingly enough, used to be a Catholic church and retreat for nuns. There are many Christian depictions still in observance. Including a sculpture of St. Francis. The temple staff is warm and friendly, willing to show any visitor around or welcome them back to a scheduled service. I hope that you may go and experience what I felt inside, the sense of safety and well being. As I was able to meditate and gain greater insights into my daily life.

Shinnyo- En USA....nestled in the Redwood City hills and is great place to learn meditation…read more Everyone is nice and welcoming. I've been chasing deals and dreams in Silicon Valley.....that rat race is over, I'm learning to meditate and learn to enjoy life, isn't that what Life is All About. Check it out, 3910 Bret Hare Drive, Redwood City Ca 94061

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.

I've been to Duc Vien Temple multiple times! It's one of the best places to worship Buddha, pray…read moreand meditate. Normally on Sunday at lunch time, there will be a vegan food market where you can buy delicious pre-made vegan food to donate for the temple and nuns. I came here all the time, not just because I wanted to pray but also to savor the best Vietnamese vegan dishes. The food here are just chef's kiss, some of the dishes I suggest you to try are vegan bun Hue, corn sweet dessert, Vietnamese sandwiches (some days they have it), vegan spring rolls. They're all affordable, $15 for noodle dishes, $5 for sweet treats, $7 for spring rolls. Rice dishes are complimentary in Buddha's spirit (but do help temple's works in return for the food). Even though they're cash only, they do accept Zelle as payment. Also, this peaceful place has a very serene garden, beautiful latern decorations. You should visit this place during lunar new year or mid autumn festival because the temple is best decorated during that time. They also host big events for Viet buddhists and you can check schedule on their Facebook page!

Excellent holiday vibes every year. Lots of community support and donations for them. This place is…read moretotally worth visiting during Lunar New Year, the busiest time around here filled with vibrant colors and beautiful views. Must give credit to good management and upkeep. Food vendors are great people and customers are pretty dedicated to making good vibes happen. Dining area is always packed on special holidays. It's a true blessing to have this place in the busy neighborhood. Their own parking lots can't fit many cars, so the best option is to find neighborhood street parking or retail parking spaces nearby and just walk over here. Heavy traffic on a rainy new year day is normal. Folks were burning incense/praying for the goodness and all the luck that new year can bring. There's all kinds of Vietnamese holiday foods/beverages/snacks to enjoy. All staffs young and old are hardworking here. Great place to celebrate. Most people come here for beautiful photo shoots since colorful lanterns and fresh flowers are displayed. $2/$3$/$5/$6/$7$10 cash can get you plenty of goodies. I wish the lot was much bigger because they can really accommodate a lot of people inside. It's great to see people enjoying after all these pandemic years. It's definitely a good blessing to walk around on new year of the fire horse year 2026. Strong and exciting place. Worth visiting annually.

Amazing Buddhist temple in Milpitas! Beautiful, well maintained, spotless, super clean, flower…read morearrangements are top notch and the sense of peace in there is incredible. My colleague and I went to pay a visit after our lunch nearby and they were super friendly to us, open doors, no questions asked. I loved the attitude and spend a good time observing the art and learning about what activities do in the temple. We could not visit upstairs as they are dormitories.

For Further Information or Assistance. E-Mail：…read moreinfo@HuaYenUSA.org http://www.huayenusa.org/ https://www.facebook.com/Avatamsaka.Buddhist.Lotus.Society/ Tel：(408)942-0874 Add：50 South Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 USA

The Kopan West Retreat in March was amazing! Staff were super nice and accommodating. Highly…read morerecommend

What a beautiful retreat with Venerable Rene. The setting was very peaceful, deep in the redwood…read moreforest. The food was very good and health. It is a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.