I have been attending the Puget Sound Zen Center, both on Vashon and more recently in West Seattle,…read morefor about three years. It is a wonderfully open, cheerful, and thoughtful community, both for experienced practitioners and for those coming for the first time. There are great tips for first-timers here: https://pszc.org/new-to-zen/. I would add two quick things if you are coming for the first time. First, it is a good idea to arrive 15-20 minutes early, regardless of which meditation you attend. It is helpful to get a few pointers on where to sit and what to expect. People will be glad to offer suggestions, and there is always someone assigned specifically to help newcomers. Just ask for "the Shoji." Second, if you do not need wheelchair access, the entrance is right up the steps in the front of the building. The front is the side that looks out on the driveway where you drove in. Like Zen itself, the place has many doors. Like Zen itself, this can be a little confusing. If you need a more accessible entrance, the double doors will be on your right. If they are not open, just knock and someone will no doubt let you in. There is also a satellite Zen Center in West Seattle that meets on Monday nights at Fauntleroy UCC. You can find the schedule and other information for both Zen Centers here: https://pszc.org/.

Warm, supportive community dedicated to learning and applying Zen principles. The practice is…read morerooted in a centuries-old tradition (Rinzai Zen), which feels strong, something I can lean into. When you first start, it might feel foreign, very different, but don't let that dissuade you; the practice, here, is to be true to the discipline while also learning how to teach & apply it in our culture. I also love that there are so many ways to be involved -- from working in the meditation garden, or working in the food garden (food is donated to the food bank), the Racial Healing group - or sitting in meditation on Zoom (every day there's at least one sit). But the thing I appreciate the most is the feeling I get that everyone is sincere, not judgmental or self-righteous. Really just learning how to practice no-self and, from within, transform greed, hatred and ignorance (the vows we say at every sit).

The SGI is an amazing Buddhist organization, focused on making positive change. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo…read moreis the main part of the practice. The members are so friendly and encouraging and very supportive. I highly recommend it! www.sgi-usa.org

I started coming almost a year now. Immediately I found the center warm and welcoming. I was new to…read moreBuddhism and to the Kadampa Buddhist Teachings. I can say it has made my life immeasurably more peaceful and joyful. Thank you to the staff and community.

I hesitated writing this as I wrestled with putting this negativity out there if this center helped…read moreothers. However, after doing some research and finding many others have concerns with Kadampa Buddism in general, I thought it worth sharing that I had an absolutely horrible experience with Tushita. I was looking for a regular meditation practice and to learn more about Buddhism. I found Tushita first and gave it a try one Thursday eve. During the session I attended, the first in a series ostensibly on using Buddhism to Calm Your Mind, the person leading the session and meditation seemed ill-suited to the task and undeserving of the four of us in attendance being instructed to stand for his entrance. Buddhism Speaking in what came off as a performative hushed, slow cadence, he proceeed to sprinkle humble brags "my first trip to Rome," "when I was on the beach in Mexico," gratuitious mentions of past girlfriends, and frankly, lame insults "or you could carry an umbrella and look like tourist." He consistently floated gross generalizations with no nuance: "we're all seeking happiness and joy" (I seek contentment), "things can't bring you happiness" (tell that to the poverty-stricken or unhoused -- or the giant gold [colored] Buddha behind you.) He seemed to also fancy himself a stand-up comedian, peppering his droning, rambling with what he clearly thought were humorous asides as he would invariably giggle at his own delivery throughout. Oh, and the volunteer taking the money and running the A/V encouraged us all to attend the upcoming $200 weekend beach retreat describing it only as "a lot of fun." No other details or information. It took all of my prior training to ease my mind and not walk out before he was even a third of the way through. , If you're genuinely seeking contentment, peace, and calm, I suggest you look elsewhere.

It was my first time coming to this Wat location. I had a great experience and enjoyed the…read morefestivity, but it is far for me. A small Wat temple and huge land. I like that they have a live music band.

Amazing place, it feels like home. Everyone is welcoming. The morning bible study is realy good as…read morewell.

We were privileged to be invited to LifeBridge while visiting the Tacoma / University Place area…read more What a great family oriented community church. Friendly people, selection of life groups to join, and wonderful music. Make friends with casual tea and snacks before the service. They actually started from a series of regular dental and health clinics giving away millions in free health care. That initiative grew into the current church meeting every Saturday morning.

CenterPoint is an excellent Christian fellowship. The community of people are incredibly kind and…read moreloving. It is come as you are place. They fellowship makes you feel very much at home. The service is composed of worship, a message, followed by a few songs. It was hard for me to find a church that I felt at home out here at, but CenterPoint made me feel like I belonged.

Had a great time visiting this church. The church members where friendly and welcoming. The…read morebuilding was very clean and the children's area was clean and easy to find. My family and I would attend this church if we lived near Tacoma.

Stopped in on a Sunday morning, 11am service. We had trouble finding a service time on the website,…read morebut after doing some research on the "Watch Live" aspect of the church finally found the time. We weren't totally sure where to go in, as the main sanctuary is being remodeled, so the church is meeting in a second building (thru like ealy December 2016). Members didn't really offer to help us find where to go, until we asked people and told several that it was our first time. After that, two different gentlemen introduced themselves and made sure we felt welcomed. Service was on missions and had very perky music. The pianists did a very fancy swap, while still playing, at the beginning of the service. Speaker was not the main pastor, but was a very interesting missionary. It is clear this congregation hopes to spread the word of God throughout the world. The congregation dresses very formal, so note this and plan accordingly (we were under dressed in dark jeans). Many members refer to each other as "Brother" or "Sister," in line with some Baptist traditions. It is also a fairly Conservative church, with some political references. All in all, if you're a Baptist and looking for a church home, this place might be a good one to check out. Just remember to dress up!

My husband and I started attending Newhope at the South Hill campus over a year ago. After getting…read moreto know the core values of the church, which we felt were inline with biblical principals, we decided to commit further and we both served on the technical team (lights, sound, projection) for Sunday morning worship. We both now help with the Youth ministry. Jeffery, the lead pastor, for the South Hill Campus (there are also locations in South Kitsap, Silverdale, Sumner and a Spanish Language Service in Puyallup), brings the word in a fresh, easy to connect with way that feels really applicable to the constantly changing and fast paced times we live in. We love the church's vision, to present hope and develop people. I have seen first hand the positive impact the church has had on my family and in my community. This is not the only church in Puyallup, it certainly isn't the perfect church (because real people go here) but it has proved to be the perfect place for my family and I to worship, grow, and serve. I believe in the mission of our church and I would like to extend a personal invitation to whoever reads this to come, check out a service and see what newhope is all about: people (like you and I) becoming the church.