My trip to Maharaja Temple, on March 24, 2023. Grand street…read morestop on D train was where I got off. It was 5 minutes walk from the station to the temple. I was ecstatic and very curious, wanting to explore this temple. Pic 1 Once I got out of the station, I saw this wonderful mural of a rabbit. This is the year of the rabbit and an amazing artist exhibited his artwork beautifully. It was a bright, colorful picturesque, and to me, symbolized a yearning for the forthcoming spring, waited so long by many people. Pic 2 I'd reached the front enterance of the temple, saying to myself "what a magnificent temple." There were many foreigners coming in and out of it. A little history about Maharaja Temple. It was founded in 1962 and is the oldest Chinese temple on the eastern coast of the United States. It was initially founded to fulfilled the needs of Chinese Buddhist in the greater New York area. Now, it is open to the public. Pic 3 As I entered the temple, I saw red color everywhere. I lit the incense and went over to pray to the beautiful Buddha. Pic 4. As I entered further into the temple, I was astounded to see this enormous statue of the Golden Grand Buddha. He was adorned with, what looked like, fire behind his head, and fresh flowers infront of him. I stood there, in awe, and felt so tiny compared to him. And again, there was red everywhere. To my amazement, I stopped and asked a Chinese women passing by, what does the red color means? She said that it means good luck for the people. I wasn't satisfied with her answer, so I looked this up online. It said that red has been Chinese's color of power, celebration, fertility, prosperity, and repelling evil. That covered everything. From now on, red is my favorite color. Pic 5. The exhibitions of the History of Buddhism was displayed with pictures of Buddha with captions on the bottom of each picture. There were 32 pictures alltogether, that lined each side of the walls. Buddhism is believing in faith, so much needed for humanity. Pic 6. I was satisfied viewing everything and decided to head out. Before I reached the train station, I stopped at a local market on Grand street and bought a big Bass Bonanza. He was very fresh. I looked into his cleared, lucid eyes, and he starred back at me, suspiciously, not sure of his future. I finally went home. Chow!!

I hope I'm not asking for too much but it is much smaller than I expected based on the grand…read moreexterior. There are only 2 statues inside. You are allowed to light one incense for the first statue at the entrance, but no photo and incense allowed after that. It is quiet inside but it was hard to feel zen at the center of Chinatown and across from the Manhattan Bridge. What I really like is the big bowl of paper predictions. There is a note saying if you donate $1 you can take one. Make a wish and choose your paper!

Some people really like this temple, and that's fine. I didn't. Why wear Japanese clothing?…read more We're not in Japan, and most of aren't even Japanese. It seems like they're deliberately making this place feel alien so people have to really buy into their way of engaging with Buddhism. It seems a bit too performative, like I'm worrying more about the rituals and being accepted into the club rather than engaging with my mind and relating to other people in an authentic way. That kind of pull is not good. These are just my two cents. I don't want to sound like I'm trashing it. It might be exactly what you're looking for.

Short version: odd experience, some of which was within the temple's control and some was not. If…read morethis experience turned you off, do not allow it to define your experience of Zen or Buddhism, because this was a particular manifestation that made me rather uncomfortable and did not seem representative of the practice at large. Noticeable lack of diversity in the actual students, though the public crowd was more mixed. I guess the intentions are good though. Liturgy and sutra chanting is done in English, which is an understandable choice - I guess you want folks to understand what they are chanting. But if you have ever been to a temple where chanting is done in one of the languages where the tradition of Buddhism first developed and flourished (i.e. i.e. Japanese/Chinese/Sanskrit), you'll notice that the syllabic and tonal structure of those languages creates a particularly beautiful aesthetic for chanting which is largely lost in English. The translations were also rather awkward and I found myself more focused on the lack of congruence in the whole situation than the actual content of the sutras, which is unfortunate. A very helpful gentleman was walking up and down the aisle and making sure everyone was on the correct page, which was very considerate. A lady next to me, who'd clearly been before as she had all the liturgies memorized, seemed to take particular pride and zeal in butchering the pronunciation of names when we were reading through the ancestor line. I get that foreign languages are difficult and that human speech patterns are largely set after childhood, and that there's no malice in mispronouncing something, but you'd think a little humility would be called for if you know you're about to pronounce something that you're likely to screw up. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Beginning instruction for zazen meditation was good. They provide you with pillows and cushions and introduce you to various poses. I thought the tone was appropriate and approachable for beginners. However, I perceived the meditation leaders to be overly judgmental during the actual meditation session (which, given the foundational belief that all is simply a construction within your mind and judgement is one of the building blocks of suffering, is rather ironic). The instruction is to sit still, but inevitably people want to cough, or shift around, or scratch their nose. When this happened I would catch the leaders looking around or leaning slightly in one direction or another to see who the "culprit" was, and at some point one of them called out, in a particularly harsh tone, for people to sit still. The general seriousness and gravity with which parts of the ritual are carried out (such as the bringing in of the reading podium) seem to have missed the point that all is temporary. You'd think a funeral was happening here. Lastly - and this is what really ruined the experience for me - my boyfriend had left his glasses on his cushion, and at some point during the walking meditation, they were broken. Again, there is a sad irony in the fact that something was carelessly broken during an exercise that was meant to be about mindfulness in walking - literally, feeling the movement of your foot, the placement on the ground, the shifting of balance, the movement of your joints, etc. I find it hard to believe that the breaking of a pair of glasses could have been missed in such a quiet, deliberate, concentrated exercise, and if someone was aware that it happened, I was profoundly disappointed by the fact that they simply left them there without claiming responsibility. But - all is temporary, judgement causes pain, attachment is the root of all suffering. So I'll let go of the glasses, I'll let go of the awkward English sutra chanting, I'll let go of the fact that people looked waaaaaaay too serious, and I'll let go of this experience. :)

I don't think most people outside of the neighborhood know this place exists. But real talk, the…read moreHan Ma Um Zen Center is one of the coolest things in NYC and of course, it happens to be smack dab in Flushing, Queens. One doesn't have to be buddhist to appreciate the gorgeous architecture and it's a destination that could certainly use more recognition. Founded in over 30 years ago, the temple is belongs to the largest buddhist order in South Korean, the Jogye order. There are only a few branches in the United States and it's only fitting to have something like this near the 2nd largest Korean community in the United States (#1). They're open each day from 10AM to 9PM. If entry is not available (#2), then consider walking around the grounds for a beautiful photo on a sunny day. It is about a 25 minute walk from the Main Street subway and residential street parking is available. ______________ (#1) Second only to Los Angeles. (#2) COVID is still happening.

Beautiful building. It is one of those sites that you don't realize you're in a neighborhood as…read moreopposed out in a rural area. A gem of a place hidden to locals. Check it out

It's really nice to enjoy a morning meditation with Kadam Morton…read more He is very knowledgeable and can really help you Cultivate a Buddha mind. Stick with it , it definitely works. They're also special workshops on the weekends . This is really one of the most special places in the city. It's great to catch an hour Meditation and then do all the other things that you wanna do on the island!

My experience at Kadampa Meditation Center was more than I'd hoped for. While I went for a…read moremeditation program, it was more than that. The extraordinary monk who presided was brilliant and kind. I will go there often.

I saw a feature on this temple in the New York Times. I was taken by the beautiful photos. This…read moreis the main Thai Buddhist temple in NYC. The temple is less than five miles from LaGuardia, tucked away in the typical multicultural Queens neighborhood. Plenty of parking. Everyone at the temple was so nice and inviting! I felt awkward at first, but as I was perusing the garden, someone said, "hello! Have you been here before?" I told him, no, I was just curious and wanted to see what the temple was like. He cheerfully said, "go up to the third floor! Just make sure to take off your shoes." The monks I met inside were also very kind. The third floor was BEAUTIFUL. So many colors, artworks, and Buddhas. I had the whole meditation/worship area to myself. I am not religious, but this room was peaceful and serene. It was comfortable and I was so glad to be there. This temple welcomes everyone and has community events and lunches.

I felt very peaceful while meditating in the temple. Everyone was very friendly. I will…read morecontinuously go back.

I came here as preparation for a college class presentation and had one of the most interesting…read moreexperiences in my life. Upon arrival, I met with the head monk who led me to the meditation or Jijang-Bosal (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva) Room. He instructed me to grab a floor pillow. From there, we spent 45 minutes in the dimly lit room having a conversation about the core principles of Zen Buddhism​m before he led me in a sitting​ meditation session. I'm not a Buddhist, but he treated me with such compassion and acceptance. We were even able to converse a little bit about coss-theological topics. Overall, the temple has such a pleasant​ atmosphere. I'm sincerely impressed and thankful that they would offer me such a unique experience. If you're​ a Buddhist looking for a Zen meditation​ temple or just curious, I'd recommend giving Chogyesa a visit.

Authentic Korean Buddhism adapted to New York!…read more Offer a combination of Korean Buddhist practice for Korean Speaking participants on Sundays. Tuesday and Thursday evening 6:30 to 8:00 pm meditation practice in English. Come early for beginning instructions. 3rd Saturday every month, all day retreat includes Yoga/Tai Chi instruction and walking meditation in Central Park. Monks are welcoming and bi-lingual (Korean/English).

Awesome temple. 1)…read moreIt is beautiful. They are very welcoming and nice. 2) The Buddhist statues and Chinese calligraphy is fantastic. 3) Must visit if you are around the area, and have some time.

Grace Gratitude is a hidden place of zen located away from the overly toristy areas of China town…read more The wood awnings and gold lettering at the entrance were immediately captivating. Then seeing the laden gold statues of Buddha at the front of the temple it was easy to fade into the Zen aura of Eastern Asia. The temple offers various literature for free and are open to you sitting in the meditation area during nonservice hours to study. I would recommend stopping in, Buddhist or not, it is a tranquil space full of high energy

Traditional Chinese Buddhist temple that serves vegetarian food downstairs. They have a cat and…read moreyard where they conduct funeral chants and burn dead paper money.

Very kind , helpful & welcoming at reception…read more Beautiful architecture and decor. I entered right into the gift shop... Which is very wonderful. They had a gift with purchase. It was so wonderful to enjoy such a nice meditation. I really enjoy their social media posts of events. That's how I knew. It really is such a beautiful space. And even the main room had beautiful sculptures. I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and they had veggie food offerings & lots of snacks for this special Meditation event. Yum. I'm happy there so many kind staff members around to answer my questions & even have a lil' tour. They had little booklets to look at to guide you along as the teacher spoke. It was very peaceful, and I felt the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Gen Chogyop has a special kind of gentle caring way about her. I really enjoyed this time to meditate. Even though I'm not an expert meditator... I feel wholeheartedly that it went well. I'll definitely come again. I enjoyed the chance to meet the regulars here.

Dharmachakra is a Buddhist meditation center in the New Kadampa Tradition. You do not need to be…read moreBuddhist to benefit from the teachings and practices. Weekly meditation classes are offered in Millburn, Shrewsbury, Little Silver, Ridgewood, Madison and more. Everyone is welcome! Check out www.meditatenj.org for more information. I originally found this center through a basic Google search, and then learned more about it via the official Facebook page (link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MeditateNJ/about/?ref=page_internal) This specific location is conveniently located in the Millburn Mall off Vauxhall Road in Union, NJ. It is a small space which has a tiny lobby to take off your shoes, check in and pay any class fees (if applicable). It opens into a larger meditation area with a beautiful Buddhist shrine, chairs and cushions to meditate, books on Kadampa Buddhism (for sale), and a small back area with drinks/snacks and a place for the teacher to organize their things before a meeting/meditation. The interior is minimalist, comfortable, and welcoming. This is a wonderful, safe space to learn about Buddhism and practice meditation with others. I was always interested in Buddhism, but had never meditated before. Since moving nearby a few months ago, I have found a true community within this Center. For $15, you are able to partake in a 90min. meditation class which teaches you about Buddhist tradition and helps walk you through self-guided meditations. At this center, this class is usually held every Thursday from 7pm-830pm. Beginners are welcome, as are continuing members. You can become a member of the temple (for around $700/year) but this is not required to join in on many of the classes and festivities. All participants are also welcome to visit/meditate at the nearby NYC Kadampa Meditation Center, as well as the Kadampa Center upstate in tranquil Glen Spey, NY which hosts a series of wonderful retreats throughout the year. I haven't been yet but am very much looking forward to going. What I love most about Buddhism is that it cultivates knowledge and growth to more deeply understand your mind. I highly encourage anybody remotely interested in Buddhism to visit here.

The idea of this practice is nice: if you're struggling with something or someone, want certain…read morethings to happen in your life, you chant...2-3 times a day, every day. Overtime your mentality, spirit will hopefully change because you've refocused your mind & may have "gotten the things" that you were working towards, or conflicts had resolved. You try to lead a life with positivity and positive action. This is what you're required to purchase in order to practice... A local representative (sort of like a youth leader, cheerleader, sales person, social worker, neighborhood member all in one) to call, text, email encouraging you to attend meetings (at member's homes or NYC/Queens branch). An okay little church / communal space in a sleepy residential area- with a "store." What it'll cost you (& I'm guessing the rep / youth leader earns commission per person & encourages you for each purchase) $50 to Officially "sworn in" at a group meeting $40 for the Scroll to chant to $40-60 + (can't remember) for the wooden shrine / hanging big wooden frame to store the Scroll in Clear off a big spot / table in your tiny apartment to sent these things up. $20 for the Booklet & Chants to read $20-40? for the Intro test to study, take & pass. Maybe $20 for the book to study, $20 for the test to take. I don't think I wanted to pay for the second test & stalled on it. Members try to connect & talk up the tests to you, to take more! $$$ (I kept stalling to buy these items) $$ Sort of a singing bowl, to tap 3x before and after you chant $$ A mortar type wand to tap the bowl with $ Plants and water around the shrine. Water things every morning. $$$ other items that I don't remember For an Eastern, non-materialistic practice, it's quite costly! Gosh I wish fundraising for my non-profit was this member pro-active! Although it's members seem friendly and welcoming, their encouragement/ persistence for you to practice could be helpful guidance for newbies feeling fragile and needing support & encouragement (however extremely costly); to overbearing eagerness / cult-like ness, slight guilt in why you don't make time to chant. I was looking more for a nice community with positive vibes to regularly uplift each other, but the 3 times a day chant, chanting that could last up to an hour. Weekly or twice a week meetings. Reps offering to come over morning, evening, help you set up your shrine (actually there to try to convert your roommate), call to remind you of group meetings, call if you missed. You accidentally mass e-mailed higher level organizers about an event that you were having (thinking this is how you create mutual community); instead it causes big drama & phone calls to you (you cannot "sell things" in the group). You move out of the city, still get emails & calls and Christmas cards (after notifying of move...because this sect is "all over the world! & we support all past members.". Call checking up during Covid (nice gesture but this 3+ years since moved). When you post photos on social of other temples that you visit, messages from members who notice your photos (or may be happy that you're still a little Buddhist). You email the new group leader to please remove your contact because you're not interested in this particular sect anymore & meeting reminders, a few emails as to why before you're "removed" (but a few DM's from members trying to maintain contact during it). And you practically beg: although it's a nice gesture, please no more random phone calls & emails. No more contact! Another year later, somehow you're back on the group email list (non-BCC) for meeting announcements. WHY?? I really hope I don't get any more emails or calls after this review. I hope everyone can practice what and how often they want. Obviously this regimen & money structure from this sect, just isn't for me. Or my pocketbook. (No I don't have the items I bought anymore.) Please no more emails, snail mail, DM's, phone calls! Please! Work on you own individual practices and invested members!

Please see my review re: SGI USA, also here on Yelp. What another reviewer wrote here is absolutely…read moretrue. You do not learn "Buddhism" but Daisaku Ikeda's interpretations, plus his life and political beliefs. I mean, I was "invited" to a many-weeks-long (6 months?) study of Ikeda's life and struggle, for which you must buy the books in the SGI bookstore. They are not loaned to you---you must buy them. Can't afford the books? You must chant more. It's part of your growth process. See what's happening here? There is no transparency on the financials of this organization and good luck attempting to get them (only the New York U.N. office seems to have any information...$1M for this religious organization to maintain a presence at the U.N....does that include the Geneva office?). The UN SGI office mission is to dismantle nuclear weapons (yes, people will do all sorts of things for recognition and those prizes from Sweden). BTW--the U.N. initiatives use words like "Restoring Our Humanity" in big typography on their collateral---"Restoring Our Humanity"? What?! Lots of intangibles like "women" and "self determination" sound great. But no data is provided anywhere. And those things matter. Unlike many religious organizations, I don't see funds to help members or do any real community investments from this organization. Go to any church or synagogue or mosque...there are community initiatives, social activism, food pantries, housing help, personal pastoral care, etc. With SGI, it's all about the daimoku, chanting for material things, and it's all about Daisaku Ikeda. Ikeda incorporates the great books of humankind into the products that are sold in the SGI bookstore, which is ludicrous. There must be a copyright challenge to SGI, as it is all extremely misrepresentative. Cult. Avoid.