A Walk Through This Beautiful Monastery In South Carolina Is Both Calming And Peaceful

Few things relieve stress in quite the same way as reconnecting with nature, especially in a beautiful sanctuary garden! The next time you’re seeking a spot to unwind, take a meditative walk through this little-known Buddhist monastery in South Carolina. In 2012, Vien Quang, a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monastery and temple, settled on 22 acres on a quiet country road in Clover, located in York County.

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It's here, in the heart of this wooded sanctuary, that peace and harmony are always at play. Google local/Charles D. Gossett With each passing year, the monks and workers here expand their beautiful gardens that are filled with pagodas, gorgeous marble statues, and blooming flowers that sprinkle dots of color across the well-groomed landscapes. TripAdvisor/dWYEM If you're seeking a bit of quiet meditation in a secluded and peaceful setting, then you'll find it here. TripAdvisor/Matthew H But visiting a Buddhist monastery and temple comes with a few unspoken ground rules: Google local/A Schurmann You'll want to avoid taking photos of the monks or the workers. You may be visiting, but this is their sanctuary. Google local/jean gravy Next, please bring some water for your walk around the gardens — and don't litter. While Vien Quang is open to the public for a few hours each week, it's not set up as a park with garbage cans all over the place. So come prepared to pack out whatever you bring in. And lastly, try to dress modestly and to speak in soft tones while you're here. A spring or summertime visit means you'll likely get to enjoy a blooming Lotus garden. The Lotus is also called the sacred lotus in some parts of the world. After you see it covering the ponds and reflective pools at Vien Quang, you may feel that way, too. Google local/Charles D. Gossett The endless walking paths seem to wind all through the 22 acres of Vien Quang, with something breathtaking and inspiring just around every bend. Be sure to climb the stairs up to the Buddha, where you just may find a ceremony taking place. (Visitors, on occasion, get invited to participate!) TripAdvisor/Matthew H Visiting this Buddhist monastery in South Carolina is absolutely free, but donations are always accepted. If you wish to make a donation and help with the upkeep of the lovely gardens, then you'll find a slot in the altar just beneath the receiving statue at the entrance. Trover/Diedree DeHart

One thing to keep in mind: Vien Quang is not a public park; however it is open to the public. For that reason, hours and days of availability are subject to change without notice. There may be an occasion where you’ll drive all the way here and find it closed to the public on one of the two days per week it should have be open, according to their published times. It seldom happens… just consider it a lesson in patience and come back another day.

Vien Quang is open to the public two days per week and for special events. The regular hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors with impaired mobility may find it difficult to enjoy the entire space as there are many stairs and no ramps. You can find a few more details on their Facebook page.

Address: 1032 Galway Lane, Clover, SC, 29710

For more about Vien Quang, see our previous article here!