Tried to call them to come down there and get some information. Woman who answered the phone was…read morevery rude and hung up on me. I called back thinking maybe she didn't speak English that well but the connection ewasn't good. Click. She hangs up again. I call a third time. I say hello. She recognizes my voice and immediately hangs up on me again. No problem. I moved on to another temple. Buddha Blessings.

I drive from Orange County to come here and pray. The on site Monk showed me how to bow. I love…read morethis beautiful temple and the feeling I have being here. Much love

Has a welcoming atmosphere and the garden sitting meditation is open to everyone. There is a…read morebeautiful bodhi tree in front of the house. You don't have to be an official member. On Sat. 10 am, you do 30 minutes of sitting, then 10 minute walk, then optional 30 min second sitting. It wasn't always easy to sit still but I am grateful I have the atmosphere of a group to encourage me.

Great place to practice and meet new welcoming people…read more Definitely will be back there.

The only place on Western Ave where you can find peace and guaranteed parking…read more Tucked right in the heart of Koreatown -- surrounded by the constant soundtrack of traffic, street vendors, and the aroma of BBQ -- sits a place that feels like it exists in another dimension entirely: the Korean Sah Buddhist Temple. From the moment you step through the gate, the chaos of Western Avenue fades away. The hum of the city drops into silence, replaced by the sound of wind chimes, chanting, and your own breathing slowing down. It's surreal -- a pocket of calm in one of the most energetic neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The Korean Sah Buddhist Temple has been part of the Koreatown community for decades, serving as both a spiritual anchor and cultural touchstone for local residents. It's one of the few Korean Buddhist temples operating within city limits -- not up in the mountains or tucked behind a freeway -- but right here in the middle of the action. The temple grounds are beautifully maintained, adorned with statues, incense burners, and colorful lanterns during festivals. Fun fact: the temple also owns and maintains the parking lot across the street, which might be the single most enlightened thing in L.A. real estate. (Finding parking in Koreatown that doesn't feel like a boss fight? Instant karma.) The monks and staff are kind, welcoming, and always respectful of visitors. Whether you're there to pray, meditate, or just decompress from the madness of the city, they make you feel like you belong -- no judgment, no pressure. The Korean Sah Buddhist Temple is a Koreatown landmark -- serene, genuine, and deeply rooted in the community. It's living proof that peace doesn't require a mountaintop or a retreat -- sometimes it's right here on Western Avenue, hiding in plain sight. If you ever need to unplug, breathe, or just watch incense rise against the skyline, this place will remind you what quiet feels like -- and in Los Angeles, that's worth enlightenment. It's like teleporting from traffic into tranquility.

LOVE the building itself -- it looks like an old movie set straight out of Los Angeles' halcyon…read more"Sheik of Araby" days. (Twenties kitsch at its coolest!) I'm pretty sure that the temple is open to all members of the public, but we were in a hurry in this part of L.A. on our last trip, and, well, Buddhist temple tours just weren't exactly on the agenda that day. Close to lots of good restaurants in Koreatown, though -- so even this bald atheist ended up very happy after we left the temple grounds. (Hey -- no religious bullshit to deal with, but lots of good food and good company. That's my kinda life.)

I attended to please a lapsed Catholic friend. Time will yell if the English speaking priest can…read moreundo the damage caused by the lapsed Catholics and Jews applying their earlier religion conversion tactics to this practice. The drums are incredible and being a long term meditator, grade 3, they enhance meditation. People are great but some have become a bit cult like:

Very peaceful, beautiful place to pray. The people are kind and there's lots of seats.read more

I have been sitting zazen with this group for about 2 years. They are authentic, open, and…read morehelpful group of people who are very committed to their practice and the center. Zazen is free! And the Sunday Dharma talks at 11 am are also free! The grounds have a mature garden with redwood trees and black pines. Dana is welcome but never asked for. There is plenty of parking on the ZCLA campus. The purple line is about 3-4 blocks away at Wilshire and Normandie. You can walk in the neighborhood just look out for the traffic. The neighborhood is multicultural and a great experience. I can recommend checking out the center and taking some time out for Zazen (seated meditation). See you in the Zendo!

Save your time and money. This place is totally not worth it…read more It was just like someone was putting on a lousy play and no one knew their parts. It was so unauthentic. In addition, this nasty lady came out every two seconds and snapped at people. When she wasn't snapping at people, she was throwing everyone dirty looks. Loving kindness is NOT practiced here.

Like Luis C., (1.) I purchased my first zafu and zabuton set from Great Patience Zen Stitchery…read more (2.) I was pleased with the experience. (3.) And I picked it up at the Stitchery in L.A. which also doubles as the Detroit Street Zen Center in the Mid-Wilshire Area of Los Angeles. That was almost ten years ago (!) And the sets still in good shape! Yuko Coniff-Sensei, both leads practice at D.S.Z.C. and makes the cushions to help support the center. Support the dharma, and earn some merit, get your cushions from G.P.Z.S.

I placed an order for a zafu on 2/4/2019 and here it is, 2/27 and I still have not received my…read moreorder. I have inquired several times about my order, and they just keep saying "it'll ship tomorrow". They've told me "it'll ship tomorrow" at least 3 times now. I even called the phone number listed on their website and they told me "it'll ship tomorrow". I've called my bank and got the transaction charged back. I paid a LOT of money for a darn cushion (shipping alone was $24), and they cannot even honor the deal. I never expected something like this from a Zen center.

Returning to LA after attending a couple of ten-day silent retreats at a monastic-run meditation…read moreretreats in Riverside, a couple of friends and I started checking out some of the temples in the LA area. This center is run by a group of Sri Lankan monks on Crenshaw Blvd in mid-city LA. The abbot, the Ven. Walpole Pinyananda is a warm, gracious elderly man, who, though he is often busy ministering to the Sri Lankan community, and writing for various publications; is generous with his time to english-speaking meditators. (He is the author of three books in english, two of which, "Saffron Days in LA" and "The Bodhi Tree Grows in Los Angeles" recounts his experiences as a teaching monk serving the LA community. A third title, "Thus I Have Heard" is a biography of the Buddha, based on a chronological ordering of the Theravada suttas). The Vihara hosts two sits per week, at 7 pm on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and the Rev. Pinyananda leads the sits on both evenings. There is a 20-25 minute period of meditation, followed by a short walking meditation practice and a short discussion of a topic drawn from the suttas each evening. Unless he is busy, the abbot often invites people in for tea afterwards. You can tell the man enjoys teaching.

The Abbott and resident monks as well as guest bhantes are always welcoming visitors of all…read morenationalities and ages whether they are temple donors or not. Very calm, positive, and respectable environment. Great temple to visit anytime!

I arrived at the sound bath feeling very agitated from "C-vid Culture" and the relentless…read morechallenges of my day.  While I was relaxing and listening to the sounds I felt as if a safe, warm, cozy blanket was swaddling me.  Upon leaving I realized somehow the sound bath had reorganized my emotions - without really trying or doing anything, my inner state was calm and rebalanced.  I highly recommend everyone try her sound bath at least once - it has a profound way of transforming and healing that is unlike any modality I have ever experienced. - Abbey Seiden, Holistic Health Coach, Certified in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

Stephanie's sound bath experience was exceptional, from the cozy soft blanket that was wrapped…read morearound me, to the beautiful, relaxing music in the background, to her healing, gentle touch, to the ethereal instruments being played, to the fragrant aromatherapy of lavender and roses... I was in a blissful state of calm and peace throughout the hour and was sorry to have it end.