True Buddha Diamond Temple: Buddhism in Flushing, NY
This paper presents an observational and ethnographic study of the True Buddha Diamond Temple located in Flushing, New York. It examines the temple's position as a branch of a global Buddhist organization, its multilingual and multicultural character, and the role of ritual in daily and communal life. The paper draws on the temple's online presence, Yelp reviews, staff interviews, and direct observation to analyze how the organization blends commercial enterprise with genuine spiritual and cultural functions. It also critically evaluates the "Grand Master's" teachings in light of traditional Buddhist doctrine, and concludes by noting the temple's value as a cultural bridge for expatriate Asian communities.
- Introduction and First Impressions: Temple location, global organization, and linguistic diversity
- Online Presence and Community Context: Website evaluation, Yelp review, and community makeup
- Teachings, Hierarchy, and Daily Life: Grand Master's image, doctrine, visitor patterns, hierarchy
- Ritual Practices and Cultural Significance: Incense, collective rites, and commercial dissemination of ritual
- Architecture, Social Events, and Community Integration: Building design, feasts, workshops, and social functions
- Conclusion: Call for research on globalized commercial Buddhism
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper combines multiple research methods — online research, Yelp review analysis, staff interviews, and direct observation — giving the ethnographic account credibility and texture.
- The author maintains a critical but fair tone, acknowledging the temple's commercial dimensions while recognizing its genuine cultural and spiritual value to community members.
- Specific sensory and visual details (the Grand Master's mudra position, the facade's terracotta-style tiles, the incense lighting) anchor abstract claims in concrete observation.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of participant observation as a primary research method, supplemented by secondary source triangulation. The author cross-references the temple's own website, an independent Yelp review, and direct staff interviews to build a multi-perspectival account, then applies doctrinal knowledge of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism to critically evaluate the organization's claims.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with geographic and organizational context, then moves through the researcher's pre-visit preparation (online and Yelp research), an analysis of the temple's teachings and social hierarchy, a discussion of ritual practices, and a description of the physical space and communal events. The conclusion broadens the scope to call for future research on globalized, commercially oriented Buddhist organizations.
Introduction and First Impressions
The True Buddha Diamond Temple is located in a residential neighborhood in Flushing, New York (3332 148th Street), allowing it to be intimately connected with and fully integrated into the surrounding community. As with many Buddhist organizations, the True Buddha society is a global one, and this temple is a branch of a worldwide organization known as True Buddha. The True Buddha Diamond Temple in New York is therefore part of a global community with strong roots in Asia.
In addition to exemplifying the globalization of Buddhism, the True Buddha Diamond Temple exhibits the different ways languages are used in liturgical and community settings. This temple is multilingual, with its website available in both English and Chinese, as well as in the languages of the other countries in which the organization operates, including nations in South America and throughout Asia. The True Buddha Diamond Temple has a globalized model facilitated by multiculturalism and linguistic diversity. It also uses the universal languages of ritual to communicate core elements of Buddhist doctrine and ways of life.
Works Cited
Tillie K. [Yelp Review]. Retrieved from: http://www.yelp.ie/biz/true-buddha-diamond-temple-of-new-york-inc-flushing
"True Buddha Diamond Temple of New York." Retrieved from: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/drabik10website/neighborhoods-2/flushing/houses-of-worship/true-buddha-diamond-temple-of-new-york/
True Buddha School Net. Retrieved from:
True Buddha School Seattle. Retrieved from:
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