Chua Giac Hoang Buddhist Temple

Zen in the City

Continuing my Churches of 16th Street series, the Chua Giac Hoang Buddhist Temple is located at 5401 16th Street NW. The only information I could find for this organization was an article from the Washington Post in 1996 about the discovery of a dead body in the basement of the church. Beyond that, I was unable to locate a website with information about this congregation.

Sandwiched between houses on 16th Street is this tranquil Buddhist temple.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Washington Buddhist Vihara

Washington Buddhist Vihara

The Washington Buddhist Vihara is located at 5017 16th Street NW and welcomes people of all nationalities and languages through its doors. As the organization's website states, "As there are no language barriers, visitors and devotees who speak different languages feel quite at home at the Vihara. There is always some one to talk to."

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist Temple

Located on the corner of 16th Street and Blagden Avenue NW is the Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist Temple. The Nipponzan Myohoji was founded by Nichidatsu Fujii. Fujii Guruji opened a temple in China in 1918. In the 1930s, he visited India and met Mahatma Ghandi. At the end of World War II, and in response to the nuclear bombings of Horoshima and Nagasaki by the Americans, Fujii Guruji spent the rest of his life working to abolish nuclear arms. The dojo in Washington, D.C., was opened in 1974.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential