Đại Tòng Lâm Tam Bảo Sơn — Attraction in Harrington

We had the chance to visit Tam Bao Son Buddhist Monastery on our way from Mont Tremblant to Ottawa on weekend and it turned out to be an incredible experience.

The monastery is set on a vast, serene property surrounded by nature. As soon as we entered, the staff kindly guided us to the parking area and gave a warm introduction along with some visiting guidelines. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the grounds are beautifully maintained with pleasant hiking trails, wooden stairways leading to different levels, and statues of various sizes placed throughout the area. Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of calm and tranquility.

A few things to note for visitors: modest dress is required shoulders and knees should be covered. If needed, they even provide long dresses to ensure everyone feels comfortable and respectful. The entry is free, parking is also free, and for just $10 you can enjoy a fresh vegetarian meal on-site. They serve lunch untill 3pm.

For seniors and people with limited mobility, transportation carts are available for $10. The friendly staff also give a tour of the area on these carts, making it easier to experience the beauty of the monastery without the steep walks.

Main Temple opened at 1pm. There’s also a small gift shop where we picked up traditional Vietnamese straw hats, which were perfect for the sunny day. We recommend setting aside at least 2–3 hours to explore and truly soak in the beauty of the place. While most paths are well kept, some areas with stone steps can be steep, so comfortable shoes...

"1/5 stars - Disappointing and Unwelcoming Experience

We've visited this temple three times, and our latest experience was the most disappointing. The long drive on unpaved roads was just the beginning of our troubles. Upon arrival, we were greeted by unfriendly staff, managers, and monks who seemed more interested in enforcing rules than providing a peaceful experience.

The strict dress code, interruptions to our meditation practice, and restrictions on sitting near the statues or bringing incense into the temple made us feel like we were in a museum rather than a spiritual retreat. The prohibition on yoga, tai chi, and qigong practices was particularly limiting.

While the vegetarian meal was decent, the overall atmosphere was far from welcoming or spiritual. The temple's beautiful statues and well-maintained property were overshadowed by the strict rules and unfriendly staff.

If you're looking for a peaceful and inclusive spiritual retreat, this might not be the place for you. The lack of handicapped access, Wi-Fi, and limited toilet facilities are also notable drawbacks.

Unless you're willing to conform to their strict rules and tolerate an unwelcoming atmosphere, it's best to think twice before visiting...

I have been coming every summer with my family since the founding of the monastery. However, our last visit on Saturday might be our very last.

Horrendous staff attitude. We witnessed other guests being YELLED at. Got followed by “security guard” to enforce my 8 year old daughter to wear the praying gown they provided at the entrance, even if it was nearly 40•C out and it was a floor-grazing gown. No leniency for kids. She was just wearing long biker shorts and a tshirt. We even got threatened to be kicked out of the premises.

I would be understanding if they wanted to enforce the modesty rule on teens or adults showing up in inappropriate outfits. Regardless of all the negativity, and after coming this whole way, my kids still wanted to visit every single statue to pray, even if they almost had a heatstroke in the process.

The only nice people were the man at the main hall and the volunteers at the canteen. Everyone else let the little power they have boost their ego...