Mahayana Buddhist Temple
Mahayana Buddhist Temple
4
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Chinatown
Bursting with an amazing array of sights, sounds, and smells on every block, a visit to Chinatown feels like entering a different world. It’s a colorful spectacle that gets even more crowded on weekends, when families stream in to enjoy huge dim sum feasts and to stock up at the markets on Mott Street. To take a break from the buzz, grab something sweet from one of the many bakeries in the area and head to Columbus Park, where many Chinatown residents exercise, play games, and chat the day away.
How to get there
- Grand St • 4 min walk
- Canal St • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
92 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
39
Average
26
Poor
1
Terrible
3
TheLeongOhana
United States7,497 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
As we walked towards the Manhattan Bridge I ducked into this small temple. It was a little outside Chinatown but a good stop.
It was open to all visitors and besides a couple of caretakers there was only one other visitor.
As I entered there was the gift shop and waiting area.
Walking towards the altar I passed by a wall of remembrance. They emphasized not taking any photos here.
Along both walls were individual frames detailing step by step in the life and conversion of Buddha. It was worth reading each one. Sacrifice, tolerance, teaching and many other themes were explored.
The altar and large Buddha statue was well organized. It was quiet and serene except when the other person in the room decided to play the drum and had to be chased away by one of the caretakers.
It was open to all visitors and besides a couple of caretakers there was only one other visitor.
As I entered there was the gift shop and waiting area.
Walking towards the altar I passed by a wall of remembrance. They emphasized not taking any photos here.
Along both walls were individual frames detailing step by step in the life and conversion of Buddha. It was worth reading each one. Sacrifice, tolerance, teaching and many other themes were explored.
The altar and large Buddha statue was well organized. It was quiet and serene except when the other person in the room decided to play the drum and had to be chased away by one of the caretakers.
Written 31 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
conqueror-wyrm
Norwich, UK55 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This temple is very tourist-friendly. Instructions for your visit - no photography, wearing modest clothes - are clearly indicated, as is the donations bucket where you can pay $1 to receive a fortune. The temple is small and pleasantly set out, with wall plaques that tell the life-story of the Buddha.
Although it is still a place of worship, they are more than happy for tourists to take a look around, just so long as they are quiet and respectful. If you're in the Chinatown area and want to see something a little different, I would certainly recommend.
Although it is still a place of worship, they are more than happy for tourists to take a look around, just so long as they are quiet and respectful. If you're in the Chinatown area and want to see something a little different, I would certainly recommend.
Written 5 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arissalovesart
192 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
A dollar for a fortune, the story of the Sidartha explained in the perimeter, and of course the giant Buddha and bright colors make this place an interesting Chinatown stop. Is it touristy? Yes! Is it kind of neat? Yes! Are there real prayers taking place? Yes! Can you buy souvenirs? Yes!
No picture taking allowed but still worth peeking in!
No picture taking allowed but still worth peeking in!
Written 13 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard M
Sen Monorom, Cambodia1,224 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Happened upon this place by accident while walking around Chinatown - and it was a pleasant surprise. It is a decent sized temple on the edge of Chinatown near the end of the bridge. For my friend it was his first visit ever to a Buddhist temple and he was in awe. There is a giant statue of Buddha plus numerous other smaller religious relics and items to see. It is a working temple, so there are people praying from time to time there and the place is quiet and a nice place to relax and reflect. They have a nice collection of pictures/artwork about the life of the Buddha on the wall and there are small descriptions in English of each episode in the picture.
Also visit the small gift shop upstairs - they have both religious and non religious items for sale, both mass produced items and handmade crafts. The temple is a nice place to spend an hour getting away from the noise and heat of the city.
Also visit the small gift shop upstairs - they have both religious and non religious items for sale, both mass produced items and handmade crafts. The temple is a nice place to spend an hour getting away from the noise and heat of the city.
Written 21 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PattyLongIsland
New York City, NY1,927 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
Across from the Manhattan Bridge in Chinatown is the very colorful Mahayana Buddhist Temple. The former site of a porn theater, it now serves the community as a temple offering chanting services and celebrating Buddha. In the entrance of the temple sits a large golden statue which, for $1, you can pick out a fortune from a bowl in front of the statue.
The main room of the temple holds the largest Buddha in the city: 16-feet high. The walls of the room are filled with pictures depicting events in Buddha's life and there are tables in front of the statue where families make offering of fruit and mementos in memory of dead relatives.
The temple is both a peaceful place to meditate and a tourist spot for travelers to visit. They have a gift shop on the 2nd floor for those interested in Buddhist souvenirs.
The main room of the temple holds the largest Buddha in the city: 16-feet high. The walls of the room are filled with pictures depicting events in Buddha's life and there are tables in front of the statue where families make offering of fruit and mementos in memory of dead relatives.
The temple is both a peaceful place to meditate and a tourist spot for travelers to visit. They have a gift shop on the 2nd floor for those interested in Buddhist souvenirs.
Written 25 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise L
Woodbridge, NJ169 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
My boyfriend & I went here during the visit to Chinatown for the Year of the Red Fire Monkey (2/8/16). We've never been inside a Buddhist temple before. At first, it was so crowded in the front inside area where you can light incense (the people were very pushy), but once you get into the main worshipping area, it was wonderful! My sister requested that I pray for her (since it had to do w/ reincarnation, it couldn't be done at a Christian church, a synagogue, or a mosque). It felt peaceful & calm, exactly what you want in a place of worship.
It costs nothing to visit, but it's nice to donate $1 to get your fortune. There's a gift shop upstairs that has some beautiful things! Oh, if I had the money!
Overall, it was a nice place to visit & I'd go again...hopefully, my sister will be w/ me this time!
It costs nothing to visit, but it's nice to donate $1 to get your fortune. There's a gift shop upstairs that has some beautiful things! Oh, if I had the money!
Overall, it was a nice place to visit & I'd go again...hopefully, my sister will be w/ me this time!
Written 21 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roel D
Province of Seville, Spain54 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
On our way the the Brooklyn Bridge we found shelter from the rain in this temple. We have seen bigger and nicer Budah Temples around the world but this was nice too. We got our fortune and donated something extra.
Written 1 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Zaragoza, Spain2 contributions
The address should be fixed now. It's right at Canal and Bowery where the Manhattan Bridge begins. Go inside to see the giant Buddha and shrine. It's free.
Written 7 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andi
New York City, NY32 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Neat experience. Beautiful and very welcoming. Great vibes all around!! Light a candle or some incense and just relax and take it all in.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoVols79
Chattanooga, TN3,904 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
While walking around Chinatown we looked up neighborhood highlights and found the Mahayana Buddhist Temple. It is easy to find on Canal Street at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge. There is a sign outside that requests visitors wear modest clothes if entering. There is no fee and photography is allowed however they ask that you refrain from taking pictures of the photos of family members that people have placed along the walls. Apparently the Buddha is the largest one of its kind in New York City. We basically walked in and out and spent no more than 10 minutes there but it was enjoyable to see this house of worship.
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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