Dharma Bum Temple, Buddhist temple in San Diego, United States
The Dharma Bum Temple is a Buddhist spiritual center in San Diego housed in a renovated Swedenborgian Church from 1927. It offers meditation sessions and Buddhist teachings in this repurposed historic building that sits near the downtown area and university neighborhood.
Three individuals established this Buddhist center on New Year's Eve 2006 in downtown San Diego. The community has since grown around this spiritual space, which repurposed a century-old church building to serve its spiritual mission.
The temple blends Taiwanese Buddhist traditions with American cultural expressions, making Buddhist practices feel natural and accessible to local people. Walking through, you see traditional religious art alongside contemporary touches that reflect how the community has adopted these teachings.
All meditation sessions and Buddhist programs are offered without charge, supported by voluntary contributions from people in the community. Visitors can drop in for classes or spend quiet time in the space depending on their interest and schedule.
In 2015, this center partnered with San Diego State University to create Delta Beta Tau, the first Buddhist college fraternity in the United States. This connection shows how the temple brings Buddhist practice into student life and campus culture.
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