Did you know there are five Buddha temples in Jacksonville? If you’re like me, you didn’t even know there was one.

Several months ago, I met a guy in a park, and he mentioned there was a Buddha Temple located across from Walmart off of Phillips Highway. Naturally, I was intrigued.

I thought to myself. “Nothing says random Jacksonville, like having an undisclosed Buddha temple near a Walmart Super Center.”

Not long after, I found myself at the gate of the temple, wondering if I would even be able to explore the grounds.

Please continue reading below for the story of my experience visiting my first buddha temple in Jacksonville.

It was a hot day in June, and I just picked up a $4 roast beef sub from Fresh Fields Farms (The best $4 you can spend on a meal in Jax). I didn’t want to sit inside somewhere or eat it in my car; I wanted to eat it somewhere in the sun.

I realized I was close to the Buddha Temple I’ve been meaning to check out, so that’s where I headed.

The main entrance was closed, so I had to enter at the side entrance. I didn’t know if I could be there or not, but the gate was open, and with my curious nature, I drove into the parking lot.

Sitting on a white plastic chair was an older man holding a hand mirror. I didn’t know what he was doing, but I saw him as hope to get permission to explore the temple.

I rolled my window down and smiled at him. He started messing with his clothes, and then he looked up.

I asked him if I could check out the temple. I don’t remember if he said anything, but I got the idea through broken English and motions that it was OK.

I parked my car, grabbed my sub and picnic blanket, then walked towards the man. I repeated my intentions to him once more, just in case he didn’t know what I meant. He nodded and said OK.

As I walked towards the temple, I looked back. I felt someone following me. It was the old Cambodian guy slowly trailing behind me. The limp in his walk and the tired look in his eyes could have made anyone second guess being there. I didn’t know why he was following me, I didn’t know his intentions, but I felt he wanted me there and meant no harm.

I asked him if I could go inside the temple, he said, “No, all shut down, no more.” Then he repeated, “no more, all closed.” I looked at the ornately carved gold and white temple. I wondered why it was closed. Is it because Jacksonville doesn’t have enough Buddhists to support the upkeep of a temple this size?

Just then, he motioned for me to come over to a plain one-story building to the side of the temple. I followed him.

He unlocked the door and turned on the lights. I was now inside what seemed to be their place of worship.

It was then that I realized the Buddist were still here practicing, but they no longer used the traditional temple. But instead, they gather in this humble space filled with red rugs, short tables, cups, bowls, statues of their gods, and pictures of their previous gatherings on the walls.

I wanted to get back to my sandwich and eat because I was famished, so I looked around, asked him a few questions, then thanked him, and walked to the door.

The kind older man walked back to his chair, and I walked back to the temple to find a place to eat my lunch. I laid out my blanket in the grass near the back of the property, centered with the temple so I could gaze at the ornate temple as I grazed on my tasty roast beef sandwich.

I scanned my eyes over the building. I wondered why this unique building stood alone, no longer welcoming people inside. I felt it was probably a complicated question that I may never get the answer to.

As we walked back to the temple, a Buddhist dressed in orange and a shaved head walked into one of the houses on the property. It was at that moment that I realized this was an active Buddhist property where real Buddhists live. Or so it seemed.

After scarfing down my sandwich in the scorching sun, I walked back to the temple to take a few pictures.

Shortly after, I started to feel like it was time to leave. I started to realize how odd it was of me to make an effort to eat a sub in the heat of the day, outside of a closed buddha temple, in the grass of a possibly private residence.

As I made my way back to my car, I saw the Cambodian man sitting right where I first saw him. I thanked him, waved goodbye, and drove off in my car.

NOTE: I don’t know much about the temple. If you want to go, please be respectful and ask permission to be there. I am not sure if it’s public or private property. The best thing to do is drive by or wait for someone to be there like I did and ask permission to explore the property.

Address:
4540 Clinton Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Phone: (904) 739-5896

Thanks for reading this post. I hope it provided some insight into Jacksonville’s culture, and you found it entertaining.

Esther Rimert