Lingyen Mountain Temple's Tapestry of

Located on Richmond's No. 5 Road, Lingyen Mountain Temple provides free vegetarian lunches and incense every day for worshippers and guests who come to visit.

"Many are drawn here by our delectable Buddhist cuisine. Besides the Chinese community, people from various countries also come to taste them. We are genuinely happy and feel truly honored," Sister Yuan Rong, a member of the temple's multimedia team, says with a smile.

The temple's 20th Anniversary Gala saw the presence of renowned Hong Kong actress Joey Wong, who dedicated herself to the Buddha after leaving the entertainment industry. Sister Yuan Rong described her as a devoted believer who has also volunteered at Lingyen Mountain Temple.

"A lot of people came to the temple hoping to run into her," she says.

According to Sister Yuan Rong, the purpose of why people come to the temple doesn't matter.

"People always feel a certain distance when talking about temples and Buddhism. They might curiously glance while passing by the temple, but find it hard to step inside. So, whether visitors come for our free vegetarian meals, spiritual solace, or a chance to meet the celebrity, we welcome them all," she says.

"Bu Shi": a process of giving

The free vegetarian cuisine are prepared by volunteers from the temple, who are busy in the kitchen before lunch time. An array of vegetarian delicacies awaits, showcasing a diverse selection not limited to various vegetables but also encompassing freshly baked breads and delectable desserts.

For volunteers working at Lingyen Mountain Temple, serving free meals to worshippers and guests is a way to promote Buddhist culture and accumulate merit through the process of giving.

Many young people who volunteer here have had their lives changed because of Buddhism. Their volunteering experience at Lingyen Mountain Temple transcends mere service; it becomes a journey towards discovering a profound sense of belonging in a foreign land.

A place can be called "Home"

Lingyen Mountain Temple found its roots in Vancouver, Canada, in 1999, graciously occupying land donated by one of the city's Chinese Buddhist immigrants.

Following ancient forest monastic traditions, the temple holds a prominent reputation as a Pure Land monastery, fervently championing the principles of Buddhadharma and the cultivation of inner clarity. Simultaneously, it plays a pivotal role in serving the local community while actively promoting cross-cultural and interfaith dialogues between Eastern and Western cultures, fostering a rich exchange within religious and academic spheres.

Boasting a substantial following of 10,000 worshippers and hosting over 8,000 visits from various community and school groups, the temple is presently undergoing expansion to accommodate its growing needs.

However, the initial establishment phase of Lingyen Mountain Temple faced several challenges. Master Xiu Feng, from Lingyen Mountain Temple, reflected on the initial struggles encountered during that time.

"Despite Vancouver's diverse and multicultural nature, introducing Buddhist culture here posed considerable challenges," Master Xiu Feng shares.

The hurdles of language barriers coupled with the influence of Western culture compounded the efforts in setting up Lingyen Mountain Temple. In Master Xiu Feng's words, this handicap also mirrored the predicament faced by the broader Chinese Canadian Community upon their initial arrival.

"In a foreign land, as outsiders, there's often a sense of drifting, longing for an anchor for our souls. However, a place like the temple provides a sanctuary, offering wandering souls a sense of belonging and a place they can earnestly call home,” says Master Xiu Feng.

At a corner of the temple, tiny Buddhist disciples, as young as three years old, gather alongside their volunteering parents to delve into the teachings of Buddhism. Their regular visits to the temple, has now become an integral part of their weekend ritual, instill in them a sense of spiritual dedication.

While weekends buzz with fervor at Lingyen Mountain Temple, adults engage tirelessly in the kitchen, meticulously crafting free vegetarian meals for the throngs venerating the Buddha. Meanwhile, within the serene confines of the adjacent Buddha Hall, the young ones earnestly recite sacred Buddhist scriptures, perpetuating age-old traditions.

Within the nurturing haven of Lingyen Mountain Temple, these diverse indivisuals unite, forming an expansive, harmonious family and uncovering their distinct place in a foreign country.