Guangming Buddhist Temple

It is called the American Society of the Buddhist Studies, and, as of November 08, 2022, it is open for the public for the worshippers, and the religious practices and chanting are performed daily. The daily open time was 1030AM to about 0300PM in the first few months of post-pandemic era, but nowadays its daily open time is around from 0900AM to 0600PM, although religious ceremony and other special days, opening time can be longer for 1 to 2 hours. Because it is just recently resumed operation or open after almost 3 years' closing from the public due to Covid pandemics, there are more worshippers on November 08, 2022 than the days before Covid pandemics started. In March 2024, the Temple is in normal operation hours.

Chanting takes place between hours of 4:30 and 6:30 but the temple is open to anyone outside those times.

Wonderful place. Was blessed to stumble in here during a family trip to NYC. It was around noon and there was a priest doing a chat and bell ringing ritual. 🙏🏽 The gentleman at the front was also welcoming and friendly. Stop by and recharge your energy.

I've been here many times ever since I was little, and although not strictly religious, I continue to remain faithful in Buddhism; and at this particular place, I respect the practitioners, including the 大師 (dai-see), the remaining monks, and most volunteers, for their humanitarian actions. The volunteers standing by the entrances/exits, passing out incense, candies, nuts, and fruits, were also nice, but those downstairs, where Buddhist delight (zai) is given out, can be ruder. I feel I need to post this review b/c this is the 2nd consecutive year I've encountered rude, authoritarian-like elderly women of my own ethnicity who should've spoken more politely on New Year's Day. I can try to sympathize with them for feeling possibly stressed by the fast-paced work they've been doing since early morning, but that's no excuse for speaking rudely toward young adult, introverted males like myself. They made me felt like I'm easy to be bullied. Anyway, the 2 incidents: 1. Last year (2024), while I was waiting for my companion, to the side, at a spot where I wasn't blocking others from walking, a random elderly woman, whom I don't know, walked by and told me to watch my food (zai) from spilling, loudly; 2. This time (2025), another elderly woman, whom I also don't know, who stood by the short staircase located halfway to the exit, intend to tell me not to make a mess on the adjacent counter. Also loudly, she LITERALLY said I CANNOT DO THIS (i.e., place my zai down--not even for a few seconds--as I adjust my jacket's loosened cuff). Give me a break. My box was sealed; I was careful the entire time; and as a human, I'm not perfect either. There's no need to literally say that in my face, making me feel like I'm not welcomed here. Whoever is running this temple, I suggest making the rules inside clearer, if you expect everyone, including first-time visitors, to know; and either renovating downstairs to be more spacious or improving delegation so that idle volunteers (i.e., such elderly women) wouldn't have to nitpick at random and/or certain people.

Its temporary closed