Reviews & Ratings for Eastern States Buddhist Temple

Where Buddhists in a hurry meditate and pray in one simple, speedy session.

by Contributor

Overview
This small, casual temple is billed as the home of "100 golden Buddhas," but the majority of the Blessed One's likenesses are actually tucked away in a historical artifacts center at the back. Tourists bypass this prayer pit-stop on their way to Chinatown's designer knockoff shops, which is all right with the locals, who drop by to light incense sticks and pray in front of three altars before leaving a small donation.

Features
The temple's hidden golden Bodhisattvas would likely brighten up the main space, which is bathed in a garish, fluorescent green-yellow glow. Bowls of fresh fruit and candles floating in corn oil adorn each of the three altars, the largest of which features a six-foot-tall, four-headed sitting Buddha ensconced in Plexiglass. The smaller temples at the back are dotted with fresh and silk floral arrangements and framed by beautiful lacquered red wood with dragon-shaped carvings.