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International Buddhist Society
Category: Religious Organizations Buddhist Temples Buddhist Temples [Edit]
9160 Steveston HwyRichmond, BC V7A 1M5
(604) 274-2822
5 reviews for International Buddhist Society
5 reviews in English
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Review from Jenna B.
Coquitlam, BC
12/29/2011
After I saw images online of this temple I knew I have to come check it out. The architecture is stunning, and so the garden. Entry is free, but there are boxes to give donations.
Pictures are not allowed in several areas of the temple however this does not diminish the experience. All the male and female buddhist monks working here are happy and upbeat. Me, and my friend took the opportunity to draw the architecture, and gardens. Many of the monks came over to talk to us, and look at our artwork. Everyone is friendly even if they don't all speak english.
Incense is available here for sale to burn but it's cash only and about $3. I'm not sure if bringing your own incense is frowned upon but I didn't see any there. There are places to give offerings of fruit and candy to Buddha, and an area to meditate.
It's quiet peaceful, and even if your not Buddhist I'd recommend checking it out.
2 things to watch for though
-bathrooms were a bit dirty when I went
-bird poop from the trees. A bird pooped on my bag not once but twice in one day :I
TIP for those who want to draw there: go when it's warm. I went around the fall and it was freezing -
Review from DineoutGal A.
Winnipeg, MB
8/1/2011 3 photos
I have visited many Buddhist temples throughout my travels in China but this one in Richmond, BC remains a favourite. Due to the sheer volume of tourists and the general population size in China, it's hard to feel the tranquility and peacefulness in the temples there. I was shocked to find such a serene and beautiful temple here in Richmond. Despite being located on the Stevenson Highway of all places, it isn't noisy at all. It is a must to visit as you can learn about the religion through one of the interpreters that sits in the office in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the main Buddha sits.
It's a great way to see the amazing sculptures and the beautifully maintained garden outside. Just remember not to take pictures of the sculptures. You can make a donation in the donation boxes or buy flowers and/or incense from the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The place can get a little smokey from the incense that's burning outside but nothing too crazy.
There's plenty of free parking and there is no admission fee. -
Review from Sarah O.
9/24/2008
When I visited this Buddhist Temple I was on my way to Vancouver for a weekend vacation to explore the city. It was the first Buddhist Temple I'd ever been to and I was unclear exactly what to expect. I knew that I wasn't supposed to use any recording devices and that I should try to be respectful (both common sense directives). Other than that I was expecting something small and a little bit... well, most churches built in the US are kind of cheesy or plain.
This Temple, however, was amazing. To put it simply: if you're driving to Vancouver from Washington state than you should 100% definitely stop here. I could gush for a while about all of the beautiful stonework and how wonderful it was to wander around the temple grounds, but that would lead to a lot of "tl;dr" responses. Just know that the temple is worth visiting and that you'll really enjoy the experience. Even in the pouring rain I often found myself pausing in a courtyard to just chill out in front of a particularly moving stone edifice. -
Review from Joe O.
10/22/2008
I have been to many Buddhist temples but never in the states. As temples go, this one is pretty amazing. From the ornate roofs to the mass lines of candles signifying lord-knows-what - as Sarah says, if you're heading to Vancouver, you should definitely swing by. You can spend 20 min or 2 hours - we hung around for about 30 mins, took some cool photos of the garden leading into the temple cause once you're in - no pics! A great idea to check out if this is your type of thing.
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Review from Jodie L.
1/4/2011
Very nice temple. The buddha sculptures inside are amazing. The ground is small but very tranquil and beautiful. The best buddhist temple I visited outside China.
