This Vietnamese buddhist temple is a great meditation center set on Mount Madonna in Watsonville…read morewhere the street ends on Summit Road, a scary drive for sure with seemingly endless twists and turns. When we got to the top, the sign said "closed due to construction work" but the gate was open, so we entered, and there was plenty of parking and we found several other visitors on site as well. The monastery and surrounding area were beautiful with tall trees, lots of greenery, so many buddha statues large and small, peacocks, deer, a gazebo, a restroom, areas for worship and prayer, and a dining area where we were invited to share a meal with the monks. But the place seemed lacking in maintenance and cleanliness, even considering that it was "under construction". To make matters worse, flies and mosquitos were abundant making it hard to have a snack outdoors. Also, though the animals on site added some charm to our visit, the cawing of the birds was relentless during the hour we were there. Besides that, the main draw was still the quietude in our surroundings. With the current "under construction" condition, I'm not sure it's worth the scary winding roads required to get here. That being said, it's a lovely place to visit, and I would certainly return on better days.

I've visited this monastery about 5 times but the last time I was there it was closed. Spacious and…read morebeautiful place to practice meditation.

This place is usually packed around New Year Tet week otherwise it is very empty and quiet!…read more I likes coming here since it is very quite on weekday morning. For the last two years I have been coming here during the New Year week, everything is the same but it is a temple worship area so everyone respect others privacy. I hope next year they will do something different with the decor so it is not the same as every year.

Visited Tam Tu Metta Buddhist Temple and really liked the experience. The grounds are super…read morespacious and peaceful, with plenty of parking, which makes it easy to visit even when it's busy. The vegetarian food was great! I had a stir-fried noodle dish that was flavorful and satisfying. The line was pretty long, but it's understandable since the temple is still new and growing. You can tell there's a lot of potential as they continue building and expanding the space. During Lunar New Year, it was packed with people and full of energy, it's only going to get more crowded, lively, and community-filled each year as the temple develops more.

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.

Beautiful place to visit hidden between redwood trees. Very quiet I would go back again whenever in…read moretown.

Very nice old place with friendly staff, this temple is clean and serene. Lovely environment to…read morevisit and contemplate life for a while.

Small temple in Morgan hill ran by female monks. Everything is spacious and they had a nice koi…read morepond.

Very small temple in san Martin. I was there on the first day of the lunar new year . Quiet too…read moremany people's so I can't take many pictures. I will come back another time

When i was about 5 yrs old my father and 4 friends moved to Carmel to build this temple. I remember…read moreplaying by a river with two of the boys who also were living on the property during the build. We lived in these dome shaped Yurts with wood construction covered with a heavy plastic. Very cold in the winter. It was an adventure for a kid my age. Almost like a long camping trip. I believe we were there only one season. That was a long time. I dont remember a lot but my father has some great pictures. Most of the construction process and the builders hoisting up these very large beams. Some of around the camp and of the builders. I'm now in my 50s and would love to visit this magical place again. I will be taking all the photos with me to compare.

Sambosa means "Three Jewels," and stands for the Buddha (teacher), Dharma (the teaching) and Sangha…read more(spiritual community.) This tranquil Temple was created in the early 70's, and is the first Korean Buddhist temple ever built in the U.S. They opened their doors to the public and on opening day, 400 people, including the mayor of Carmel and other prominent monks, flooded Sambosa. The Temple has had its shares of ups and downs, including an unfortunate fire in the 1980's that burned down the main Dharma Hall. But it has withstood the test of time and still remains a graceful and quiet symbol of peace in the Valley. The current abbot is Bom Hugh Sunim, and his teachings explore his particular vision of a nonsectarian approach to religion, philosophy, and life. My mother was friends with one of the followers of the Temple, and being the same age as her twins, we often played together. It's a beautiful place to reflect and slow down, even if you are not a practicing Buddhist...although it seems like the ideal religion for every walk of life.

A warm and welcoming temple. So beautiful and congregation was very sincere, and the vibe is very…read moreserene and peaceful.

Review on the 65th Annual Obon Festival…read more In comparison to the Artichoke Festival, Obon was a mile ahead in terms of ambiance, events, and attractions but suffered tragically in the food. Perhaps, I had expected too much and should have realized that it was going to be your typical Americanized Japanese Cuisine instead of authenticity. Here were a few faults I saw, Ice Cream/Strawberry Shortcake: packaged Hostess Shortcake topped with sliced strawberries. If they actually made their own shortcake it would have been cheaper, less artificial and tastier. Beef Teriyaki: poor quality meat, minimal flavor, decent grill Tempura: under fried, flavorless, bad batter, expensive and no tempura sauce; truly a disappointment Sushi: spam musubi, don't know how they managed to ruin it Chicken Teriyaki: good portion was the only highlight....meal was heated in microwave, chicken appeared to be boiled then tossed in a teriyaki sauce (brand found in Costco) with soy sauce. Truly a disappointing meal Lumpia: poorly fried, soggy center, and bland Kushi-Katsu (pork katsu): amazing golden brown exterior, great crunch texture but pork needed more seasoning Pros No entrance fee!!! -Program w/ a map (shows thought and organization was put into the festival) -Walk around offering free tea to drink -Water/Soda area was inexpensive, only $1 -Cookies: appeared homemade, inexpensive ($1 for 3) -Plethora of Entertainment -Decent exhibits and gift shop -Portion of proceeds went to help with Japan Relief Overall Thoughts While there is plenty of things to see and do don't come here looking to satisfy your palate because you surely will be disappointed.

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.

Very beautiful temple up to the hill near the gilroy outlet…read moreI was there February's 18, h 2024 The temple needs money to dig the well , they need water

Disappointed I drove out for one hour and this temple is closed. The website said it was open but u…read morecan see that it's definitely closed.