Longquan Temple of Great Compassion, Utrecht

In 2015, the Buddhist Longquan Temple of Great Compassion opened in Utrecht’s Zuilen district. Chinese residents of the Netherlands and Buddhist nuns from China founded this temple together in this former church building. As soon as you step into the prayer hall, it is as if the outside world disappears for a moment. You are surrounded by thousands of tiny golden statues of Bodhisattva Guanyin, deity of mercy and compassion. At the front of the prayer hall are three large Buddha statues. One of them is the Buddha Shakyamuni. Every day, offerings such as fruit, incense and flowers are made at the temple. As a result, the prayer hall is always filled with a pleasant smell.