The Davao Experience: Serenity at the Lon Wa Buddhist Temple

This is the nineteenth part of our 4-days-3-nights Davao Experience.

Next up on our places to visit is the Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, or more popularly known by the locals as the Philippine Academy of Sakya. It is the biggest and most popular temple found in Davao and is located along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, Agdao District, which is approximately 3-4 km northeast of the city proper and a walking distance from Davao Medical Center.

Lon Wa Buddhist Temple aka Philippine Academy of Sakya

On the way there, we were able to pass by some popular destination site such as the Magsaysay Park in Sta. Ana, Chinatown, and the Bankerohan Market but due to restricted time, we decided not to go down anymore.

Chinatown, Bankerohan Market, and Magsaysay Park

How to get to Lon Wa Buddhist Temple:

• Ride a jeepney with the sign board SaSa or Route 10 or JP Cabaguio and ask the driver to drop you off at the Philippine Academy of Sakya (since most of the locals don't know the name Lon Wa Temple). The jeep will pass through right in front of the temple.

Lon Wa Buddhist Temple from a Distance

Anyway, there is no entrance fee and the temple is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Upon entering the temple's premises, you will be immediately greeted by a huge smiling buddha sitting just in front of the temple. And you will also be greeted by a smiling, friendly security guard who will serve as your tour guide and will allow you access to go inside the temple. He's very knowledgeable and he just bombarded us with history and trivia about the place.

The Smiling Buddha

The Smiling Buddha Up Close

Before starting the tour, Kuya Guard told us to take pictures first in front of the temple, particularly beside the two lion statues at the top of the stairs. He even suggested several poses to do haha.

The Lion Statues at the Entrance

Our first tour was at the main hall. It serves as the buddhist's praying room. Before entering, you have to take off your shoes, but you can take pictures inside the room. In front of the room is a statue of another buddha adorned with some gold platings or plaques all around, I'm not really sure what they call it haha.

The Main Hall

Next up is a room where the statue called Thousand-Armed Kuan Yina resides. It is amazing because of it's detailed sculpture and because of the effects of the candles all around it. Also, there are several wood carvings in the hallway showing the life of Buddha. We even went inside a living-room like room with a huge wooden painting with several chinese artifacts. And the highlight of the trip would have to be meeting a genuine Chinese lady who does not know how to speak in English and was just gesturing with us the whole time. She showed us how to serve tea and we even took some pictures!

Thousand-Armed Kuan Yina

The Huge Wooden Painting

It was a very relaxing and unique experience because it was very quiet inside the temple. Combine it with the really nice greenery of the garden all around and it's a great retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

After that tiring tour, up next would be our lunch at Hog's Breath Cafe and our reunion with our 2 friends who got left behind haha.

Read more:
The Davao Experience: Planning The Trip
The Davao Experience: The Uniqueness at Ponce Suites
The Davao Experience: Dinner at Jack's Ridge
The Davao Experience: Getting to Samal Island
The Davao Experience: Monfort Bat Cave and Hagimit Falls
The Davao Experience: Kaputian Beach in Samal
The Davao Experience: Fernandez Beach and Garden Resort
The Davao Experience: Lyndon's World's Worst Ribs and Awful Chicken
The Davao Experience: Taps, The Breakfast Capital of Davao
The Davao Experience: A Visit at Eden Nature Park
The Davao Experience: Harboring "Pag-Asa" at the Philippine Eagle Center
The Davao Experience: Apo Ni Lola Delicacies and Lunch at Davao Dencia's Restaurant
The Davao Experience: Pasalubong Shopping at Aldevinco
The Davao Experience: Various Sights at the Davao Crocodile Park
The Davao Experience: Trying the Nightlife with Lachi's Sans Rival, Blugre Coffee, and Abreeza Mall
The Davao Experience: The-Supposed-To-Be-Rafting-Experience-But-Not and San Pedro Cathedral
The Davao Experience: A Unique Experience at Osmena Park
The Davao Experience: Knowledge Gathering at Museo Dabawenyo and Exploring Rizal Park
The Davao Experience: A Gastronomic Treat at Hog's Breath Cafe
The Davao Experience: Strolling Around People's Park
The Davao Experience: Return Flight to Manila
The Davao Experience: Summary of Our Trip