City of 10,000 Buddhas

(Please silence all cell phones.)

The City of 10,000 Buddhas
Ukiah, CA

The City of 10,000 Buddhas reminds me of my great-grandmother's basement...except that it's above-ground and the walls are lined with thousands of spectacular Buddha statues instead of countless jars of unrecognizable home-canned fruit, circa WWII.

The City boasts a university, secondary and elementary schools and a gift shop.  Students constantly sweep the streets to maintain a pristine environment.  Be sure to adhere to the 15 MPH speed limit to minimize the exhaust inhaled by students, staff and wildlife such as deer and peacocks that roam freely around campus.

The main attraction is most certainly the Hall of 10,000 Buddhas, a behemoth of a space lined floor to ceiling with Buddha statues from large to small.  Believers and atheists alike can appreciate the spectacle that includes magnificent altars, hundreds of kneelers, musical instruments and artwork of all sorts depicting the spiritual teacher.

If it's all too overwhelming for you, sit back and enjoy some Sweet and Sour Tofu or Broccoli with Cashews at Jyun Kang, the restaurant located right on campus.  Vegetarianism never tasted so heavenly.