The White Sands Buddhist Center, one of the best Buddhist temples in Florida (just north of Titusville on the Space Coast), boasts remarkable artistic creations and houses three of Florida's largest granite Buddha statues. Surrounding a reflective pond, granite benches provide the ideal setting for peaceful contemplation and meditation. To explore the monastery, visitors are encouraged to arrange a tour in advance. The center warmly welcomes all guests from dawn until dusk, inviting them to partake in the tranquil ambiance and serene surroundings.

Every Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the monastery hosts meditation services conducted in both English and Vietnamese to foster an inclusive atmosphere for practitioners of diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, the White Sands Buddhist Center is also adorned with the four largest granite Buddha statues in Florida, showcasing its dedication to preserving Buddhist heritage and inviting contemplation among its visitors. Volunteers are also encouraged to engage in the weekly grounds-keeping activities.

Time: 9 AM to 5 PM

Address: 4640 Knost Drive Mims, FL 32754

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Located amidst nurseries and farms in Homestead on five acres of rural landscape, just a short drive from Miami, the Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple is considered one of the best Buddhist temples in Florida. Its rooftop is adorned with golden "chofahs," representing the mythical Garuda and believed to ward off evil spirits. And inside the temple, you will be greeted by a majestic 23-foot-tall, 5-ton gold-leaf Buddha statue, a stunning centerpiece crafted in Bangkok and shipped to Miami.

Wat Buddharangsi, home to an abbot and three orange-robed monks year-round, warmly welcomes Buddhists, visitors, and those in search of serenity. They offer sermons, services, and weekly meditation classes conducted in both English and Spanish, catering to a diverse community seeking spiritual guidance.

While the South Florida Thai community is relatively small, with around 2,000 Thai immigrants scattered across the region, the Wat Buddharangsi Temple attracts a diverse congregation, including Asians from various countries, American-born individuals, and Hispanic adherents. Daily attendance varies from a handful of attendees during chanting rituals to several hundred during festive occasions and holidays.

For those planning a visit, the temple has certain etiquette expectations: visitors are advised to dress conservatively, remove shoes before entering, avoid touching anything apart from provided literature, and observe cultural norms regarding contact and interaction with Buddhist monks. Gifts of fruit or food are appreciated, and photography, even inside the temple, is permissible. We suggest timing your visit to coincide with the temple's festivals, which guarantees a colorful and culturally enriching experience while offering a glimpse into Thai heritage, delectable cuisine, and vibrant celebrations.

Time: 7 AM to 5 PM

Address: 15200 SW 240th St, Homestead, FL 33032

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The Florida Buddhist Vihara is a non-profit religious organization entirely dedicated to upholding, promoting, and sharing the profound teachings of Gautama Buddha. Focused on principles of morality, compassion, kindness, self-control, and generosity, this institution embodies the essence of Buddhist teachings, whose primary objective lies in guiding individuals toward inner peace, contentment, and eternal happiness by purifying the senses through the practice of controlling the mind.

As a beacon of Buddhist philosophy, the Florida Buddhist Vihara extends guidance and spiritual counsel to individuals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their familiarity with Buddhism. Here, beginners and those well-versed in Buddhist practices find a nurturing environment fostering spiritual growth.

A notable highlight of the Florida Buddhist Vihara is its frequent hosting of revered Buddhist monks from various corners of the world. These esteemed monks often deliver sermons and conduct meditation retreats, offering devotees an invaluable opportunity to engage with their teachings and immerse themselves in meditation practices within the temple premises. This interaction enriches the spiritual experience and provides a unique opportunity for devotees to deepen their understanding and practice of Buddhism.

And that is not all; every second Sunday, the Vihara hosts 'Dhamma School' sessions for children and adults of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Attendees are guided through practices aimed at mastering the control of one's mind, emphasizing the importance of focus and mental discipline in pursuing inner peace.

Time: 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Address: 2208 Maydell Drive, Tampa, Florida 33619

Website: https://www.floridabuddhistvihara.net/

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The Chua Bao An Buddhist Temple in Apopka offers an immersive journey into Asian culture right in the heart of Florida for those seeking cultural diversity, new encounters, or simply a taste of foreign cuisines.

It opens its doors exclusively on Sundays, providing a great environment for visitors to partake in Buddhist meditation ceremonies and release themselves from everyday stresses. Whether attending the ceremony or exploring the grounds, the exquisite Asian architecture and tranquil ambiance evoke a sense of peace. Devotees often leave offerings like oranges as a symbol of reverence to the smiling Buddha.

Besides spiritual experiences, Chua Bao An Buddhist Temple also offers Vietnamese language classes, complemented by a vibrant market offering a delightful array of Vietnamese culinary delights - from vegetarian-friendly dishes like egg rolls and summer rolls to flavorful noodle soups and Vietnamese pancakes.

Better yet, you can take this chance to explore other attractions nearby, such as a vast cactus and succulent greenhouse in Apopka or another stunning temple in Tampa with its delightful Sunday market. Florida boasts various sites to satisfy wanderlust, after all!

Time: 10 AM to 2 PM, Sunday (closed in weekdays)

Address: 5788 Apopka Vineland Rd N Ocoee FL 32818

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Wat Florida Dhammaram, a Buddhist monastery in Kissimmee, Florida, was founded in the mid-1990s by Lung-po Chaokhun Phra Tepvaraporn (Im Arindhamo). Lung-po embarked on the mission to establish this sanctuary after noting the absence of such a space during his interactions with devotees in the region.

To realize this vision, Lung-po sought approval from the late abbot of Wat Sommanat Vihara, Chaokhun Somdej Phra Wannarat Chop Thitadhammamahathera. Following the consent, he initiated fundraising efforts in Thailand. In 1993, propelled by this motivation, three monks, accompanied by Prakrupalad Sunnan (currently Chaokhun Phra Vijitrdhammapani, the current abbot), were dispatched to Kissimmee, Florida, to establish and nurture the development of Wat Florida Dhammaram.

Time: 6 AM to 7 PM

Address: 2421 Old Vineland Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Website: https://www.watfloridadhammaram.com/

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Phuoc Hoa, a Buddhist temple in Fort Myers, Florida, was built in 2004 and designed in Southeast Asian architectural style.

This multi-story temple stands out with vibrant colors, unique architectural style, and meticulous attention to detail. Though not excessively large, the temple exudes grace and warmth; inside the main building, each floor is adorned with exquisite paintings, Buddha statues, and representations of Buddhist religious figures.

Besides the main building, there are several other structures such as a statue of Quan Yin, a statue of Amitabha Buddha, and a garden adorned with flowers and trees. Particularly noteworthy is that Phuoc Hoa Temple also houses a restaurant and a store specializing in products related to Buddhism.

All in all, Phuoc Hoa Temple is an excellent place to seek tranquility and peace in life and an equally attractive sightseeing destination for tourists visiting the city of Fort Myers.

Time: N/A

Address: 4300 Ellis Rd, Fort Myers, Florida 3390

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