Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple of Miami

I went today, it was a great experience. My advice is to go on Sunday at 3pm because a monk will have a service and show how to meditation and what form of Buddhism they practice. Don’t be late the service is from 3−5pm. I advice not to be late because I had someone come in during the last 10 minutes and asked questions that were already answered throughout the service. During the service no question were asked but once he is done teaching the monk will have a q&a.

This place is absolutely beautiful! It’s hidden in a farming area and is pretty secluded. The grounds are impeccable and the temple is stunning. The Monks are very friendly and allow you to take pictures and will answer any questions you may have about Buddha, Buddhism or the temple. Great place to visit even if you don’t practice Buddhism.

I visited the Buddhist temple on the very first day of 2016 and my goodness, as soon as I walked in I felt peace, I felt light, and I felt at home. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a beautiful Buddha and stunning flowers. We walked into their temple (with no shoes) and all I can say is WOW – absolutely breathtaking. They have buddhas of all sizes along the room. You will definitely be taking pictures, so make sure you have space on your phone and/​or memory card.
If you go early enough, you can hear the monks chanting, and I highly recommend this as it made the experience that much more memorable. We walked in to where the monks were chanting, and people were seated on long picnic tables or standing, there was a MASSIVE amount of food, which I assumed it was for the members of the temple as a celebration of the New Year. After the monks were done chanting, everyone there immediately stood up, grabbed the food they brought, and began serving the monks. It was a great experience to see how appreciative the public is of them, and to see the amount of food on their plates. It turns out that to our left there was another long picnic table with a ton of food on it as well, and to our surprise it was opened to everyone! I wish I wouldn’t have eaten before going. I wonder if this was only in observance of the New Year celebration, or if this happens often; because if that’s the case, I will be going hungry next time.
I will definitely be going back.

I visited the temple on a Sunday. Participated in a meditation class from 3 – 5. A beautiful and peaceful experience. Breath taking views and beautiful statues. A must visit :)

It’s a large complex but there wasn’t much to see. However, the experience was a good one as it is under the care of Buddhist monks.
And when approaching the temple, it seemed that everything was closed and locked. So we just walked around the vicinity to just look at the exterior of this exotic place in the middle of the Florida agricultural suburb of Miami. But when going around, we came across a large dining hall, and there were three people there, including a monk. This said monk said nothing but was happy to see us, and even ever so slowly (in a monkish way) walked to us and insisted to show us the complex.
We were able to go inside the temple, and it was a pretty simple, bare, and spacious temple, except for the large ornamentation and fruits that ordain the back wall. I was further surprised that the monk even insisted to show us how to meditate — in all seven ways. I didn’t even ask for it, but it was a great learning experience, and it was nice to see that he had the patience with us (after all, we did intrude into his daily schedule and visited this temple uninvited) that I was more than willing to oblige and give him my time.
Overall, it was a great experience, and if you have the chance to learn how to meditate from one of these monks, you will have earned a rewarding and unforgettable memory.
I would like to come back on the days when they offer Thai food in the dining halls. It seems like similar temples around the country do offer food in the weekends for both worshippers, locals and visitors (of course, not free, but still, at a bargain price).

I went to there on Jan 1^st, 2015, for the new year wish for myself and my family. It’s so quite and I couldn’t help myself sit down on the grass and close my eyes and start my meditation. My consultant asked me to do the meditation many times but I never did, but right that time at there, I couldn’t help with it. I looked through my 2014 and talked to myself inner my body. I found a temporary inner peace when I’m there. Maybe I should go there more.

This Buddhist Temple reminds me so much of the temple I frequently visited with my grandparents as a child. There is something about this place that energizes the weary soul just sitting in quiet meditation infront of the huge Buddha. I visit every so often especially when I notice extra blessings in my life.

My only experience with this Thai Buddhist temple has been a surreal one.
After doing a little bit of research on Buddhist temples, I decided to give Wat Buddharangsi a go. I found out how to get there, packed some fruits in my car to take as vegetarian gifts, and embarked on a short journey to Homestead. I was a little nervous but happy to meet a Buddhist group.
From the moment I got in my car, things were kind of magical. I jumped on the expressway and felt free as a bird, using my instincts as the only medium of navigation. I did not look at the GPS system or keyed in the address, I just drove and when I felt it was time to exit the expressway, I did. My only guide was a voice saying «I think it’s this way». Once I found myself in the heart of the farming community, I stopped and looked at the GPS. Surprisingly (or not), I was stopped one block away from the temple.
I parked in what looked like an American version of a modern Thai temple. The building reminded of Miami in the 80’s. There was absolutely no comparison with the temples you find in Cambodia or Thailand. Out the window was my hope for a mystical experience and some temples carved out of stone. I felt that I had arrived to a banal place, like a daycare or a home for the elderly, except someone had placed gold leaf turrets on the ceiling in an attempt to make this building ornate and failing miserably.
Not to be discouraged, actually somewhat weary, I left the fruits in the car and walked around. I found an elderly man doing some maintenance on a building adjacent to the temple. «Are you with FIU?», he asked. «No, I’m just a visitor», I said. He gave me a quick rundown of the premises, told me that this is a Thai Buddhist temple, and told me to go into the hall and look at the monks eat. I thought he was joking. Why would I want to look at monks eat? I couldn’t help thinking of the zoo, where you go watch animals eat, sometimes even feed them. I almost turned around and drove home with my gifts, the fruits. I walked in.
There were a lot of people inside. Four monks wearing traditional orange were eating, indeed, while the congregation was chatting. I was ignored, even though I had managed to mutter a weak hello. Feeling rejected, I walked around a bit, grabbed a leaflet or two, and exited the hall without anybody noticing. If ghosts could reincarnate, I was Casper the friendly ghost.
I walked around the grounds for a bit. I looked at the bell tower. I touched a statue of a Buddha on the left side of the temple. I jumped over some logs that laid behind the building. I walked around the orchard and saw the old man again. I found a water fountain on the right side of the temple. It was dry and empty.
Done exploring, I sat at the temple’s front door, admiring the stillness of the blue sky but very aware that I still had a bunch of fruit in the trunk of my car.
While I was meditating on my situation, the old man walked by heading back to the hall where the monks were having lunch. I jumped quickly, went to my car, grabbed my fruit and rushed behind him. «This fruit is for the monks», I told him when I caught up with him. But instead of receiving my fruit, he said «Go inside and give it to the monks». And that’s what I did.
I walked in and over to the table where the four monks were sitting. The head monk noticed me this time and motioned me to come closer. I introduced myself, gave him my gift, which he grabbed quickly, and he told me to sit down with the congregation and commanded me to eat. Just like that.
The situation that ensued made me think of the following: either the Buddha really likes people giving fruits to his monks, or I have an excessive amount of good karma.
A long table that had been empty twenty minutes ago, where the congregation was sitting, was now full with food, Thai dishes, fish, chicken, pork, different types of noodles, rice, raw and cooked vegetables, seafood, nuts, sauces, fruits, etc. I counted at least thirty dishes. Still better, the people that had been indifferent before were friendly and invited me to eat also, just like the head monk had done from his pulpit-​like dinner table.
After having some food, I got up to get some water and a lady grabbed me and took me to the kitchen. She pointed to a huge bowl of soup and said «Have some». I love soup. She called this one sweet beef soup. I didn’t find any beef, but it had some pieces of tofu like stuff. Maybe she meant this was cow’s brain soup? I just ate. It’s not the first time something like this happens to me.
After my accidental and unplanned meal, I sat there. I do not speak Thai, but everyone seemed to ignore that fact. Maybe they assumed I knew Thai. I didn’t know what I had just eaten, but I nevertheless enjoyed it all.
A birthday cake was produced. I declined the dessert and got up to leave. Just then, the head monk called me over. He wanted to show me the inside of the temple and give me a guided tour.
And the temple was beautiful.

I’m dedicating my 300^th review to my absolute favorite Elite Unilocaler Cherylynn N.
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Cheryl writes with a divine pen using liquid gold for ink. She writes like she’s the official scribe for the Bodhisattvas in the Tushita heaven. Her reviews are detailed, unique and entertaining, I truly believe she has the ability to have her own show beside Zimmermn and Bourdain on the Travel Channel.
Her writing has helped me to rekindle my university writing skills as well as improve my general writing abilities.
One sunny sunday afternoon I decided to head down to homestead to participate in the Thai New Year & Water festival (Songkran festival) at Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple.
I preface my experience with these two verses from the «Book of Revelation» chapter 21 (King James Version Bible), I changed a few words to my liking:
«3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of Light is with the earth dwellers, and the Light shall dwell with them, and the Light shines through all people, and the Light shall be with them, and give them bliss.»
«4 And this Light shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.»
The moment I stepped into the main shrine of Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple
, I could feel this powerful peaceful energy penetrating every cell of my being. The closer I approached the main shrine of the Buddha the stronger the sensation overtook my being.
The temple grounds are beautifully designed using traditional Thai temple architecture, while the landscape is dotted with wind dancing bougainvillea’s.



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To my surprise there was also a large enclosed area on the north side of the temple that housed another large shrine.
. Many people were sitting on chairs lined in front of the monks entranced by the chanting of Buddhist sutra’s. Placed in front of the Buddha statue were ornately carved fruit resembling exotic Asian flowers.
There was also a large feast taking place of blessed vegetarian food.
Outside there was a stage of live performances and many booths selling Thai food, Bonzai tree’s, statues/​jewelry and even a palm reader etc.
The part of the festival that I loved the most was the line of bronze Buddha’s outside.
. Basically there was a line of Buddha’s, each Buddha was sculpted in a different position and each one represented a different majesty in life like Love, Life, Health etc.
I lined up and then picked up a cup of flowered water. I then proceeded to go before each Buddha, poured some water over each Buddha and made a prayer in line with the majesty that each Buddha represented (one of my prayers was to meet some perky new breasts). Once the line of Buddhas ended, I encountered the monks. Then I dropped a little water in the hands of 3 monks and each one sprinkled the water over my head and blessed me.
I enjoyed this so much that I did the whole process twice.
A couple of attractive ladies shot me with a water gun unexpectedly (people shooting people with water guns is part of the festival).
No matter where I went I felt that subtle radiance of peace emanating from the central axis point of the shrine in the main temple.
There was only one palm reader booth and it had a long line of anxious patrons waiting for readings. Every time I glanced over at the booth there was a line. So I waited and came back near closing time when the line died down to get a reading. The reading only cost $ 5 and the proceeds went to support the temple.
The reading itself was vague, but entertaining. I was expecting her to tell me something like I was a great God of the council born human, but she didn’t tell me that.
My only disappointment was there was no GwanYin here, as Thailand is a Theravada Buddhist country, they generally don’t recognize GwanYin. GwanYin is actually a Daoist Goddess adopted by the Mahayanist Buddhist in the guise of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of mercy and compassion.
When I pray to GwanYin I always ascend into ecstasy! It always happens, since I first prayed to her at the Jing’an Temple in Shanghai.
Note’s
A friend of mine who went through a horrible divorce and was on the verge of a nervous break down, has been helped greatly by this temple. I’m not sure what they’re teaching him, but he is back on his feet and dude hardly utters profanities anymore.

I had been visiting this place once in a while since its earliest days. How early? When they put the buddha statue in place. As the statue was too big to go through the doors, so they built the temple without the roof, used a crane to drop the statue in place, then continued to complete the building.
I came here because I love this little oasis. The monks are very friendly. One time my friends and I stopped by and a monk gave us each a mala (prayer beads like rosary) and sprinkled some water on us for blessing.
I especially love coming here for their festivities. There are several main ones, Thai new year, Buddha’s birthday, etc. Sometimes they will have stalls to sell Thai food and other things. The Thai food here is the best! Authentic dishes you won’t even see in the best restaurants here. And inside the dining hall where they share the food after offering to the monks, these are Thai food cooked by Thai for Thai. Be warned they don’t tune down the spiciness for Americans. Unlike the Chinese buddhist temple, over here the monks eat meat too.
Songkran festival, the Thai New Year, happens in April. Traditionally people bless each other by throwing water on each other. So if you go, dress accordingly, though usually if people know you are not Thai they won’t splash you, but kids running around with water guns may spray you by accident.
During Loi Krathong there will be many beautiful lanterns flowing in a small pond.
There are also meditation classes and Buddhism lectures.

It’s such a great place to go relax and meditate. I paid a visit to the temple during the school year when I had to make a site visit for a class and I loved it. The ambiance of the temple is so serene and the architecture of the building is beautiful.
Outside the temple they have the story of Siddhartha surrounding the fence. There is also a mate and Buddha statue where you can light incense and meditate outside.
Inside the temple there is the HUGE golden Buddha statue surrounded by smaller statues, candles, and incense. The monks are very kind and approachable. I highly recommend holding a conversation with one of them. What they have to say is very interesting and insightful.

I am reviewing this place for what it is– a Buddhist temple.
You come to a temple to meditate, seek spiritual advice, reflect on life, and give up offering, and at Wat Buddhist Temple you can do that.
There are Buddhist monks walking around willing to give you advice, and you can sit in front of their giant Buddha and just meditate. If you do come here, give gifts to the monks. Nothing too grandiose, maybe some fruit or type of food. They will appreciate it.
There is also a place where you can burn incense.
If you are nervous about coming here alone (like I was a long time ago), don’t be. There are usually other people for the same reason you are there– to reflect, meditate, experience something new, and seek spiritual advice.

Nice place to learn about buddhism and meditation

Having a Thai G/​F I had to do my minimum mandatory outing with her. As today is the Thai New Year, a special day was definitely had at the Wat Buuharangsi Buddhist Temple for the Songkran festival.
Firstly Thai Buddhist’s are such docile folk, who go out of there way to extend there hospitality. And on the Thai New Year, there’s a mix of Buddhist religion and celebration, more celebration then anything else.
I expected to see just Thai at this New Years festival, but there were a lot of flung (American’s) who also chose to join the festivities. For me the festivities are all about the food, and the isn’t that Americanized classic’s that you’ll find in Thai restaurants found through out Miami, by far, this is Thai street food., rather great Thai street food. From deep fried spicy chicken wings, Phở beef soup, shredded beef and sticky rice. Chicken thigh on a stick and pork on a stick, Oh by the way when you ask for hot, that’s what you’ll get. This is street food Thai immigrants are used to, not the toned down American version.
So go now as you’ll have to wait for the next April 15^th to find fine Thai fare.

A great place to connect with Buddha, this temple offers as close to the authenticity of a real thai temple. Many various activities take place there such as the Sonkran festival (water festival) where there are various performances taking place, notably the best being the Muay Thai show and various dancing acts!

It was a little intimidating for me to make my way to the Wat Buddhist Temple of Miami but this little grasshopper was not about to let that stop her.
Apparently there is a blossoming community of practicing Buddhists in Miami and Fort Laudy and this temple was built by donations to secure a place where they may worship with the guidance of trained and enlightened Buddhist Monks.
It is necessary to adhere to several guidelines as it is a working temple. You must dress appropriately and conservatively. This means that your typical South Beach attire will not fly in this sanctuary. You must remove your shoes before entering the temple and you are not allowed to touch anything other than the literature provided.
It is not permitted for a Buddhist monk to have physical contact with a female or accept anything directly from her hands. While you may engage in conversation, they are not allowed in close proximity to women.
Since I am not accustomed to Buddhist ways, I was sure to read all about certain do’s and dont’s on their website. Following the rules and regs on this occasion was certainly wise on my part.
I strolled through the grounds soaking the architecture, the sun and the breeze with new found knowledge of the temples history. Lovely flowers adorn the gardens and it does make for a very peaceful afternoon. Incense may be lit at the statues outside of the temple but not inside.
I entered the temple after removing my shoes and sat lotus posed, still and open to the sights and essence of this lovely temple. Gazing upon the statue of PhraBuddhaDhammaChinaraj, which is the given name of this Buddha statue, one can not help but feel curious and amazed at it’s grandiosity. The Buddha sits 23 feet high, 80 inches from knee to knee to correlate with the age and death of their lord Buddha. It is made of gold, bronze, copper and brass and was built in Thailand and later transported to Miami.
A monk approached me and engaged in brief conversation.
He mentioned that he would be interested in opening up a class where there would be an open discussion with regards to Buddhist philosophies for anyone who was interested. He told me something that totally grabbed me and I can not recall it as I was startled and puzzled by his choice of words. It had something to do with a glass of water. I should have listened more carefully but I was kinda freaking out that I was talking to this monk who was not allowed to have physical contact with women. There I stood all conservatively tarted up and he in his orange robe living modestly and by donations and offerings of the kindness of strangers, I was blown away by the incongruences in our lives.
For some time I’ve been making strides in my life to let go of material possessions and put emphasis on cultivating relationships with people that are sincere and true. Reading books on Taoism and meditative reflection have opened me up to an entire universe of possibilities and are helping me let go of control and allowing me to ride the ebb and flow of nature. While my time at Wat was brief it was like a flash of an other– worldly existence that left me serene and sublimated.
In the event that meditation is of interest to you, Wat offers free classes on Sundays, In English between 3 – 5 pm, morning chanting at 6 am and evening chanting at 6 pm.
«There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.» Buddha

This intricate and architecturally authentic temple in middle-​of-​nowhere Homestead is perfect just the way it is.
Pedro P. and I went to the Songkran festival and really enjoyed ourselves.
The Jade Buddha (a traveling exhibition for universal peace) was definitely a great sight to see. It’s 7 feet tall and weighs 5 tons — impressive.
There are plenty of nooks on the grounds to sit and relax (or meditate!). The temple room itself has its own impressive gold Buddha and is another relaxing place.
Overall, taking a trip to the Buddhist temple in Homestead is worth the drive for a short escape from the city life.
*Because this is a working temple, you must dress and act accordingly*