The Buddhist Temple (9160 Steveston Highway, Richmond, 604-274-2822, www.buddhisttemple.org), built by the International Buddhist Society, is a glitzy but genuinely spiritual temple — ideal for a day’s outing to exotic realms. The temple describes itself as the most exquisite example of Chinese palatial architecture in North America. The exterior features a curvaceous roof of “golden porcelain tiles” and a stairway flanked by marble lions. The complex embraces the Main Gracious Hall and Thousand Buddha Hall, a meditative garden with a “wisdom fountain,” and a stone path that leads to the “always cheerful” Maitreya Buddha. Inside, there’s unending art and craftsmanship of a grandiose nature. Hey, let’s be honest about this:
this temple is way, way over the top.
There are other Buddhist institutions around, including the imposing if justifiably impermeable-looking Vancouver Buddhist Church in the troubled area of Powell Street and Oppenheimer Park (220 Jackson Street, East Vancouver, 604-253-7033). There’s also the relatively new Tung Lin Kok Yuen Society Temple (2495 Victoria Drive, East
Vancouver, 604-255-6337). For a do-it-yourself at-home altar, try the Buddha Supplies Centre (4158 Main Street, East Vancouver, 604-873-8169). This little red-and-gold treasure house bursts at the seams with glossy ceramic Buddhas and other deities, as well as incense, joss sticks, mood-inducing lamps, and tapes.
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