The
Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple
in
Amsterdam is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe.

Built in traditional palace-style it is has a Chinese
'Pure Land' atmosphere, however, Buddhism and the practicing
of Buddhism is universal and beyond culture and architectural
features. The He Hua Temple certainly demonstrates that
point!
Having
been captivated by this most unlikely of structures
in the heart of this most bizarre European capital,
myself and various friends have made 4 trips back
to the Temple in the last few months. The fortunate
factor that facilitates such frequent jaunts is the
fact that here in my home town of Southampton we have
an airport that has a budget airline with flights
direct to Amsterdam airport and its excellent rail
link to the city center. At this end, not only is
the airport nearby, it is most conveniently on the
bus route the stops at the end of my road!
So,
not only is the Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple in Amsterdam,
Holland the largest Buddhist Pure Land temple in Europe,
it is perversely actually cheaper to get there than
to London which is only 80 miles up the road from
here.
Its
a crazy world we live in! Amsterdam demonstrates that
point.
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