Buddhists are not obliged to go to a temple every week but it is something I like doing. While my orientation is towards Theravada Buddhism where I imbibed it from my exposure to Thailand, any Buddhist temple would do as far as I am concerned. I don’t and cannot participate in ceremonies anyway. A visit to a temple would be no more than 15 minutes.

Friends and relatives who are mostly Christian Catholics often wonder where I go when I tell them I went to the temple. Before a Buddhist temple revealed itself to me, I asked around if they know of any Buddhist temple but they could not help. The best they could do is to point me to a Taoist temple. Most Filipinos, do not know the difference between Taoist and Buddhist; much less between the Mahayana and Theravada sects of Buddhism.

One day, when I got diverted from my usual route to go to Chinatown in Binondo, I got caught in a slow moving traffic. This was when I noticed for the first time the orange stupas. I traced it and found my way to Seng Guan Temple.

I am sharing here the Seng Guan Temple so the curiosity of my friends and relatives would be answered. Visiting any temple is not restricted and everyone is welcomed. However, proper decorum should be observed as it is not a tourist place but a refuge of the spirit. I have included a location map in case you want to visit and see the temple for yourself.

stupaThe Mahayana style Seng Guan Temple in Narra St., Tondo, Manila is reputedly one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the Philippines. Also called the “Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas”, the three-floor structure houses beautiful altars with magnificent golden statues and bas relief. The building is crowned by orange colored stupas, characteristics of Buddhist temples. It may appear small from the outside until one marvels at the spacious halls located on the second floor.

Above, in the crowded and often traffic-choked Tutuban area, the distinctive orange painted stupas soaring in the sky stand out to serve as a landmark.

The granite-clad facade of the temple is decorated with festive red lanterns.

The granite-clad facade of the temple is decorated with festive red lanterns.

Detail of the facade's interesting and intricate stone relief and curvings.

Detail of the facade's interesting and intricate stone relief and curvings.

Myself standing on the side of the The Buddha Maitreya in the vestibule.

Myself standing on the side of the The Buddha Maitreya in the vestibule.

Behind the vestibule is the elaborate altar of the Kuan Yin with large bronze incense burner. This is where devotees light their incense and place their offerings of fruits and flowers. In the Mahayana tradition, a little superstition is tolerated in their temples. Here, one can throw divination sticks and read their fortunes after making the requisite offerings.

Behind the vestibule is the elaborate altar of the Kuan Yin with large bronze incense burner. This is where devotees light their incense and place their offerings of fruits and flowers. In the Mahayana tradition, a little superstition is tolerated in their temples. Here, one can throw divination sticks and read their fortunes after making the requisite offerings.

In the second floor is the chanting room where the congregation recite the sutras or prayers. In the altar are three very large gilded meditating Buddhas made of silk-mache, instead of the usual paper mache. The icons in this temple are behind glass for security and protection.

Below the fixed decorative windows in the second floor is the life story of the Buddha curved in wood and gilded. The style of the curvings suggests they were made by Thai craftsmen.

In the air-conditioned congregation hall with balconies, a very large (10 foot+) gilded Buddha seats in the elevated altar together with his two principle disciples. Behind the Buddha is an impressive gilded mural of heavenly scenes. This occassional hall is used for very large gatherings and is normally closed to general public.

In the air-conditioned congregation hall with balconies, a monumental (10 foot+) gilded Buddha seats in the elevated altar together with his disciples. Behind the Buddha is an impressive gilded mural of heavenly scenes. This very large occassional hall is normally closed to general public.

Closer view of the grand altar.

The side room contains the icon of the multi-armed Avalokitesvara, again behind glass. According to Mahayana doctrine, Avalokitesvara is the bodhisattva who has made a great vow to listen to the prayers of all sentient beings in times of difficulty, and to postpone his own Buddhahood until he has assisted every being on Earth in achieving nirvana.



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