Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple — Local services in Austin

Came here for lunch at their tea room upon recommendations from some friends who could not say enough good things and because it is vegetarian friendly. My friend, who is the vegetarian, was excited about the visit and I was very curious not really knowing what to expect.

The grounds around the temple and the temple itself are very pretty and serene and a very nice lady at the temple explained some of the things they do there and gave us some informative pamphlets on Buddhism.

The tea room is very nicely decorated and the lady who took our order was friendly, though I think she had a hard time understanding us and communicating. There was not much of a "menu" when we went as the signs that people have pictures posted of w/menu info were nowhere to be found. So we just ordered a "combo" and a pot of tea each (I was hoping there would be tea options, but none were offered or given). Needless to say, we had no idea how to order or what to order or what even came with a meal...there was actually nobody even in the tea room besides us, so we had initially thought it might be closed. Though a few moments after we ordered and sat at the one of the tables (where you are on a cushion instead of a chair) a few people trickled in and looked as confused as we did since I think they were expecting some type of menu as well.

I had read that this place is supposedly "donation" based, but after we had just blindly ordered a combo and tea, we were just flat out charged $10. Which, i would not have minded paying had the food and tea we received resembled any of the stuff pictured. I could not even really tell you what I had. Our plate consisted of a plain wad of white rice, three balls that were filled with some sort of veggie-tasting dough, and some carrots. We also had some soup, though I am not sure what kind it was except to say that it was quite watery and bland. Sadly, that sums up the entire experience here: bland. Even our tea had little to no flavor. I think it was supposed to be green, but honestly, just tasted like grainy hot water.

I was so looking forward to an amazing experience here based on the pictures and rave reviews by trusted friends, but alas, I must have come on a very, very off day. I was disappointed to say the least and don't know that I would come back specifically for the tea room again unless it was with one of the aforementioned friends. However, I would definitely come back for the serenity and tranquility of the grounds in...

Certainly! He I had been wanting to visit this temple for a while, and I finally got the chance to stop by on a Sunday. This place is truly a hidden gem in Austin! From the moment I arrived, I felt a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

I was fortunate to join a free guided tour where the guide shared the rich cultures of Buddhism and even drew meaningful parallels to Indian traditions, which I found fascinating. There’s also a small gift shop and a cozy tea room on site.

To my pleasant surprise, they offered a complimentary vegetarian lunch.Everyone I met was incredibly kind and hospitable.

If you’re looking for a quiet place for meditation or just a peaceful retreat, this temple is perfect. They also offer various programs, and the full schedule is available on their website. I highly...

A peaceful and welcoming environment that serves as a connection for my wife to her spiritual roots back in her country of birth, Taiwan. I've enjoyed sessions of worship, healing, and celebration, including Taiwanese-style vegetarian buffets in their dining hall. The people there share their love and knowledge of Buddhism with an openness and joy that makes this a spiritual oasis in a beautiful area of Austin near the Colorado River. UPDATE: Bumping up to 5 stars because what is wrong with me that I would give 4 stars to a community striving to "help people find joy without looking" without striving. Also, they've made some improvements to the property and it's a nicer place to take...