San Francisco Bay Guardian: Best of the Bay 2005
Best Buddhist Temple Located in a Former Lutheran Church
"For months, neighbors had been wondering what was going on in the old German Lutheran church at 22nd and Capp Streets — first, it was painted a bright shade of orangey pink, then the stained-glass Jesus scenes were covered up, then came the lion-headed brass door knockers and, finally, the glass entryway doors displaying a rotund, grinning Buddhist statue. Finally, in December 2004, with a grand celebration honoring the birthday of Amitabha Buddha, Hua Zang Si opened its doors. Owned by the United International World Buddhism Association, the temple distinguishes itself from other Buddhist temples by more than its dramatic architecture. While most other temples propagate only one Buddhist sect, Hua Zang Si embraces all 84,000 dharma methods within Buddhism. In addition, Hua Zang Si is home to many sacred treasures, including a circular mandala containing sariras (holy relics) of Shakyamuni Buddha and a magnolia tree that is said to have rained nectar for three straight days. The temple is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and visitors are welcome to view the breathtaking worship halls and listen to recorded lectures, available in English and Mandarin.
3134 22nd St., SF. (415) 920-9816."