Buddhist temples and meditation centers near Palo Alto

Buddhism has deep roots on the Midpeninsula. Japanese American families founded temples here more than a century ago. The Palo Alto Buddhist Temple has stood on Louis Road for about 70 years. Since the 1960s, Zen and insight meditation centers have drawn people of every background, many of whom come to practice meditation without joining a temple. Buddhism is a family of traditions that trace their teachings to the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

This page lists temples and meditation centers we could confirm with a current website showing 2026 activity. It describes each as it describes itself and does not compare traditions. Times are as published in fall 2026 and can change, so check before you go. We could not confirm 2026 schedules for Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai or Tibetan temples within about 10 miles, so they are not listed here. For other traditions, see our places of worship guide.

Palo Alto Buddhist Temple

The Palo Alto Buddhist Temple is at 2751 Louis Road in south Palo Alto. It is a Jodo Shinshu temple, a tradition it says began in Japan more than 800 years ago. It belongs to the Buddhist Churches of America. It has been part of the community for more than 110 years, the last 70 at its current site. Its resident minister is Rev. Dean Koyama.

Services

The temple invites everyone to its weekly Sunday service at 10 a.m. Services run year-round with a short break in August. The temple suggests that first-time visitors introduce themselves to the greeter or a minister's assistant, who can explain what to expect. It also runs a Dharma school for children and a junior Young Buddhist Association for teens.

Events

The temple's Obon festival on the first weekend of August is one of the city's best-loved summer events. In 2026 it was held on August 1 and 2. Its 2026 calendar also included a crab and ribs fundraiser in February, a golf tournament on August 29, a car show on September 19 and an Art of Giving event on November 7. Our Obon festival guide covers the dancing, food and parking. The temple's history is tied to the city's Japanese American community, including the years of wartime incarceration.

Mountain View Buddhist Temple

Mountain View Buddhist Temple is at 575 N. Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View. It is also a Jodo Shinshu temple in the Buddhist Churches of America. Its website lists:

• Sunday service: 10 a.m., in person and on Zoom. Zoom links go out in the temple's weekly e-newsletter.
• Japanese language service: held on selected Sundays, such as the October 11, 2026 monthly memorial service, with English discussion at the same time. Dharma messages are also offered in Japanese.
• Office: by appointment only. Phone 650-964-9426.

The temple posts on-campus guidelines for visitors on its website. Its fall 2026 calendar included a Sangha Day picnic in September, a memorial service in October and a Dharma school Halloween parade on October 25. Annual events include Obon and bazaar, fundraising dinners, a Keiro-kai gathering for elders and mochitsuki, the New Year rice-pounding.

Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center

Kannon Do is at 1972 Rock Street in Mountain View. It brings the practice of Soto Zen Buddhism to the Peninsula and the South Bay and says its mission is to offer a welcoming place to explore Zen practice.

Schedule

Kannon Do holds zazen, seated meditation, every weekday early in the morning and in the evening, with some sittings also on Zoom. From October 31 to December 13, 2026 it is holding a practice period with a fuller daily schedule, including early morning zazen and chanting from 5:30 a.m., a noon sitting on some days and evening zazen at 5:30 p.m. Check the homepage schedule for the current week.

For newcomers

Kannon Do says newcomers can simply attend any sitting on its schedule with no appointment or phone call. It suggests Saturday mornings from 9 to 9:20 a.m. as a good first visit, when a senior member gives a short tutorial on posture. It also holds a monthly Introduction to Zen orientation.

Its FAQ asks visitors to dress modestly: long, loose pants or long skirts and tops that cover the shoulders and upper arms, with no shorts or tank tops. No shoes are worn in the zendo. Shoes are recommended on the deck. Sandals are provided for the restrooms.

Insight Meditation Center, Redwood City

Insight Meditation Center (IMC) is at 108 Birch Street in Redwood City, about 6 miles north of downtown Palo Alto. It teaches insight meditation and Buddhist practice and its website also offers programs in Spanish. Its regular weekly schedule includes:

IMC says everyone is welcome and that you may attend any part of the Sunday morning program. A vegetarian potluck brunch follows on the last Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. Community tea is on the second Sunday. IMC also runs beginning meditation classes and daylong retreats, including one with Gil Fronsdal on November 21, 2026. Its phone is 650-599-3456.

Temple or meditation center?

The places on this page fall into two broad groups. The two Jodo Shinshu temples are congregations: families join and children attend Dharma school. Sunday services usually include chanting, a Dharma talk and community announcements. Kannon Do and IMC are practice centers built around regular meditation, where many people come for a sitting and a talk without formal membership. Both kinds welcome visitors. Many people try a Sunday at each before settling in.

Meditation at Stanford

Stanford's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life lists Buddhist student groups among Stanford Associated Religions. The Windhover Contemplative Center on campus is open to Stanford ID holders for quiet meditation, while its outdoor labyrinth is open to everyone.

Visiting etiquette

If you are looking for a service in Japanese or another language, see our page on worship in other languages.

Frequently asked questions