Oakland Buddha Shrine

Oakland Buddha Shrine is a stone Buddha statue standing in a traffic median and surrounded by a wooden structure. The statue is decorated with fruits, flowers, and incense that visitors regularly refresh as offerings.

A resident installed the statue in 2009 to address illegal dumping and criminal activities in the area. The site later became a spiritual center maintained by the local community.

Vietnamese residents transformed the statue into a place of worship where Buddhist women gather each morning to pray. This daily practice has given the shrine spiritual meaning that extends beyond its original purpose.

The shrine is located at a busy street corner but is easily visible from the road and accessible to visitors. You should treat the space respectfully and avoid disturbing any offerings already placed there.

After the shrine was established, criminal activity in the immediate area decreased notably. This unexpected effect demonstrated how a spiritual gathering place can positively transform neighborhood safety and community bonds.

Inception: 2012

GPS coordinates: 37.79470,-122.24420

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28