Xi Fang Temple

I was shocked to have never seen a more commercial temple than this one. The temple is located on a downtown corner of Fujianese Chinatown in Brooklyn, at 8^th Avenue & 51^st St. Immediately upon entering, on the right is a long jewelry counter of Buddhist jade jewelry for sale. At the end of the counter was a receptionist/​nun/​salesperson. Immediately to the right of the counter are the stairs down to the all-​day full-​service vegetarian restaurant in the basement. The nun passed me the menu. The restaurant is open every day (7 days) from 11 am to 10 pm. Even the prices seem high! I considered a small soup, but the smallest was «medium» at $ 8.75 for a chicken & corn soup. Clearly this temple intends to cater to the highe$t clientele only.
Opposite the jewelry counter near the front wall is a statue of Guanyin on a counter. On the main alter, past the prayer cushions & tables on both sides is the main altar, with a statue of Amituofo. To the left of the main altar is an open doorway to a small room with a statue of Dizangwang. I saw no Yaoshifo («Medicine» or «Healing») Buddha. And did I also miss Mile, the Buddha of the Future?
Everything is bright & shiny, golden, & new. Even the 3-​story-​plus-​basement-​and-​4^th floor «penthouse”-and-roof-deck building itself appears to be a recent complete renovation. There is a staleness, shallowness, & lack of warmth that reflects poorly upon the supposed mission of its leaders.

I walked by the temple and was struck by the calmness of the beautiful cat sunning himself outside!
I’ll leave it to a practicing Buddhist to provide more subjective information.
More info and photos available here: