The problem is you think you have time---the Buddha…read more This is a beautiful Buddhist temple in the heart of the Mission. I lived over a year in an intentional Buddhist community with 30 folks along with a Tibetan Lama. There are different branches of Buddhism just as there are different styles of jazz music. The nuns here were very kind giving us a tour of the facility. One giant Buddha was here that was quite impressive. One of the Buddhist nuns was doing an interesting ritual carefully lighting heaps of candles. Lovely welcoming place. Be sure to have a look inside and except to be greeted by warm hospitality. The outside architecture is beautiful as well.

A beautiful temple with many unique Buddha statues. The Amitabha Buddha statue on the second floor…read morewas huge and touched my heart. I felt peace right after I looked up at the Buddha. It was nice to have a Spanish-speaking girl or volunteer there to give you a tour and explain some Buddhist history in fluent Spanish. Una amable señorita! I forgot her name but overall, a great experience and tour if you want to visit a Buddhist temple in San Francisco.

Checked out the S.F. Dhammaram Temple (Wat San Fran) on Lincoln Way & 28th Ave, SF on Sun 5/31/26…read more I took the N-Judah and got off af 28th Ave and walked 2 blocked to the building. They had a special event Visakha Puja Day and sold Good Kamma Lunchbox Fundraiser. First to enter temple u need to take off your shoes. I wore mixed matched socks, oops. Will do better next time. Someone told me the food being sold was dowbstairs, so I went. Bought $51 in food: pork skewers w/ sticky rice, pork salad w/ sticky rice, pandan jello dessert, mushroom in little bags, and chive rice noodle dish. All very tasty. Went outside to give cooked rice from a cup to the monks, then knelt down to give food to the main monk, bow. He gave a sermon on being selfish but in a smart way: if u want kindness we need to give kindness, patience we need to give to get. After that the blessing. Then there was a potluck, 2 lines. Better stay in the back to get food first, I was in the back and good stuff gone. There was more things to do, but I left after eating. Other special days: June 5, 7, 8-14 July 29, 30 Aug 2 Sept 6 lunchbox fundraiser Oct 4 lunchbox fundraiser Nov 1 lunchbox fundraiser Dec 6 lunchbox fundraiser

Very clean temple. Everyone there was friendly and polite…read more I was lucky to find a parking spot right in the front when I visited on weekday.

I recommend this temple in the Sunset district of SF. Master YongHua is the Dharma Master and you…read morecan tune in on YouTube, better yet, attend a lecture in person and ask a question about meditation or any troubles of your life. There's great energy here, caring people and always something going on. I recommend the beginners Chan class if you are new and they have a special Buddhist Relic exhibit annually so keep that in mind. I'm also a Disciple so I recommend to check out Wei Mountain Temple in LA too if the practices work for you.

Came here to check out the 10,000 Buddha Relics Collection Exhibit, and got to learn a lot during…read moremy visit. We got to peruse displays of the cremated remains (teeth, sweat, brain, etc.) of the Buddha's sages, disciples, and family, as well as the Buddha himself, whiling hearing very interesting stories about the various pieces.  This was a free event, they just ask that you remove your shoes before entering, and are respectful while inside. Many came here to pray, they also had dedicated hours for meditation. We didn't come during that time, but we were fortunate enough to engage in a formal blessing, clearing our minds and accepting a spiritual energy, performed by the abbot on site using the whole body sharira. The presentation of relics throughout the giant main room was beautifully organized, clearly labeled, and enlightening. The environment was peaceful, and a great opportunity to explore the temple as a whole. We were invited to enjoy food and drinks in the lower level kitchen as well. Everyone there was so kind and welcoming. Definitely a unique experience.

They are finally OPEN back! The latest hour update per the call today is: open 9:30am - 2:00pm…read moreeveryday except Thursday. I miss the grandma temple attendant in the temple :) This temple is the oldest Chinese temple in California and it's very promising on your wishes.(For your strong wishes, like wishing your family health or kids' academic success, talk with the elder temple attendant to guide you on the right praying ceremony)

Worth the flight of stairs all the way up. They close at 2 PM and closed Thursdays. Very lovely to…read morecome and spend some time in a serene space. I really enjoyed that Susan was there as she was able to translate my fortune for me when I used the fortune sticks (donation to do so). Soak it all in.

Obon is the time to honor ancestors whose spirits temporarily come back to earth to visit w/…read morebeloved family members. It's kind of like Día de los Muertos for Mexicans to respect their dead on November 1 which may date itself to pre-Columbian cultures before the dreaded Spanish conquest. Japanese Americans have lost much of the rituals & ritual objects relating to Obon from their own home regions in Japan, but the Bon Odori/dancing in a circle to honor the dead is still de rigueur. Along with the dancing festivities comes the food that is Japanese American w/ influences from Hawai'i, East Asia, México. The savory foods at this Buddhist Obon festival is excellent. Their fried chicken in a sweet, slightly acidic Hawai'ian sauce is particularly exemplary. Between Obon dancing I was impressed by culturally authentic performances not usually seen at other fraternal Buddhist Temples in Southern California. One act featured an excellent singer of Ènka/traditional Japanese music similar in sentiment to our country western in emoting the joys and travails of life of the common man. Another act was rather sophisticated in presenting Kyōgen which is a one act comedic interlude placed between tragic acts of Kabuki, Japanese theatre originating from the 16th century, serving as emotional relief from all the pathos. The use of authentic, elaborate Kabuki costumes was a rare touch. The honorable reverend Ron presided over this celebration of respect for ancestors and celebration of life & summer with quiet, benevolent dignity. Great, methodical, well thought out recycling of food waste into compost, plastic, metal cans, paper, etc. to respect & maintain Mother Earth, the only planet we know that can sustain life. Although I live 400 miles to the south, the Buddhist Church of San Francisco's rendition of Obon entices me to return again next year for another go at this welcoming, well organized event.

I was looking into Buddhism and trying to find a Buddhist church. I found this one. Tracey A…read more recommended it to me. I decided to visit on a Sunday. They were honoring a man who led Buddhism. It's a traditional Japanese Buddhist church for a mostly Japanese-American community. It's really nice and quaint. I was probably a minority Chinese at the church. The temple is nice and lightly adorned. Afterwards, I decided to visit the luncheon. I was comped by Mary for a bento box. It was not like the ones you get at the restaurants. It was more traditional. They had Japanese desserts. They had tea. They had mochi. They had a big get-together and I was on my own. The community is a positive community, but this is not for alternative Buddhists---people who want to view Buddhism with alternative culture. It's for families and I probably am not appropriate.

My wife and I happened to walk by this Tibetan Buddhist temple this afternoon, one of the monks…read moregreeted us and invited us to come in to listen to afternoon prayers. Another monk was chanting prayers, and we spent a lovely 20 minutes listening and meditating.

Very nice temple of the Nichiren Tradition. Unfortunately as the regular Hokkekyo (congregation)…read morehad fallen off over time in number, the only services are twice a year. Once in March or April for the birthday of Nichiren Shonin, and again for "Oeshiki" (Nichiren's passing) in November (call for info 415 567 30 20). Very nice special services with a potluck immediately following. All of course are indeed welcome.

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!