Walking around Lac Daumesnil, in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, you're sure to have caught sight of a somewhat hidden edifice, the Grande Pagode. But next to it in the 8,000m2 enclosure is another, lesser-known temple dedicated to Buddhism, the Tibetan Kagyu-Dzong temple, the only one to be found with this architecture in the whole of Ile-de-France! Conceived in 1974, it was founded by Lama Gyurmé, and named"Citadelle of Clear Light".
A veritable oasis of peace in the midst of greenery, the temple was built between 1983 and 1985, thanks to a joint project by Kalou Rinpoche and the International Buddhist Institute, with plans by architect Jean-Luc Massot approved by Paris City Hall.
A magnificent building , unique in the capital, it is an immediate eye-catcher, with all its colors and finely crafted frescoes.
Four colorful columns represent the Four Noble Truths taught by the Buddha at Sarnath, and support a ceiling intermingled with dragons, clouds and flowers of all colors, while a golden dharma wheel dominates the roof, framed by two golden deer (or gazelles), evoking a fundamental notion of Tibetan Buddhism.
Upstairs, you can make offerings to a Buddha statue in a calm, peaceful atmosphere conducive to meditation, like a small, human-sized monastery.
But it's more than just a monument to be observed from time to time: the temple regularly welcomes devotees or the curious for guided meditations, workshops, celebrations or teachings by great masters, not forgetting the annual Peace Festival.
It's a great way to discover Tibet in ways other than its gastronomy! But it's important to be respectful. Volunteers welcome visitors every Tuesday evening at 7pm, except in August.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Wednesday:
open
Thursday:
open
Friday:
open
Saturday:
open
Sunday:
open
Monday:
open
Tuesday:
open
Location
Kagyu-Dzong Temple
Route des Îles
75012 Paris 12
Official website
www.kagyu-dzong.fr
