Ma-Tsu Temple of USA, Buddhist and Taoist temple in Chinatown, San Francisco, United States.
The Ma-Tsu Temple is a Buddhist and Taoist place of worship in San Francisco's Chinatown, located on the first floor of a building on Beckett Street. The interior features traditional Chinese design with multiple altars, carved wooden elements, and spaces arranged for prayer and meditation.
The temple was established in 1986 with ties to the Chaotian Temple in Taiwan, serving as a new center for worship in the local community. It relocated to its current Beckett Street location in 1996 to better serve the growing needs of followers in the neighborhood.
The temple serves as a gathering place where followers perform daily rituals and leave offerings before the shrines. Incense smoke fills the rooms, and colorful paper decorations on the walls reflect the religious practices of the local community.
The temple welcomes visitors during daytime hours, with opportunities to make donations and receive paper blessings or predictions in exchange. Guests should dress respectfully and avoid speaking loudly to honor the meditative space and ongoing prayers of other visitors.
The temple is illuminated at night by 40 red spherical lanterns hung on the fire escape, creating a distinctive glow on the building's exterior. This bright feature makes the site recognizable from the street even after dark.
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