I noticed Wisdom Park during one of my taxi rides from Quezon City to San Juan City. The huge signage of Wisdom Park caught my attention, and I thought that it looked out of place in an upscale residential area. That same huge signage made me curious about the place. I debated it to be either a park with towering trees, colorful flowers and playground for children or a learning center for the wise and those who want to be wise.
A year later, I now live two blocks away from it. I pass by the area every Sunday on my way to church. At night, after I attend the 6pm mass, I see the Buddha located in a stupa (hemispherical structure that holds Buddhist articles. To read more, please proceed here or here.) bask in the glow of randomly changing lights. That made me more curious. I paid Wisdom Park a visit and finally answered the question that was on my mind: Wisdom Park is more of a center than a playground for children.
According to its website, Wisdom Park is the pet project of Universal Wisdom Foundation, Inc. It built primarily for Buddhist-related activities, but it is open to Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Wisdom Park promotes “human values in education” through a series of lectures about Buddhism, Philosophy, Science and Environment. The management behind Wisdom Park invites respected Filipino and foreign experts to tackle these subjects. Aside from lectures, Wisdom Park holds regular meditation classes that are open to the public. Every Sunday, Wisdom Park has “The Great Treatise to the Path of Enlightenment” (2pm – 4pm) and “Meditation and Dharma Sharing” (4pm – 6pm).
For those who wish to read about Buddhism and other related topics, Wisdom Park has a comfortable library with extensive collection of books. After reading, one can stroll in the garden, look at the Buddha statues, sit under the shade of Bodhi tree or relax in a wooden bahay-kubo and listen to soothing music that makes its way to the front yard.
Dharma Café of Wisdom Park. It was not yet operational when I visited, but it is going to serve all-vegetarian meals. I am excited to try the dishes!
Found in the interior of Wisdom Park main building are floor-to-ceiling illustrations of Buddha’s life story.
Thank you to Carlyn for accommodating us.
For more information, please visit Wisdom Park’s website or call 721-0510.
Where: Wisdom Park address – 14 Broadway Avenue, corner 3rd Street, Brgy. Mariana, New Manila, Quezon City
When: Wisdom Park is open daily from 8am to 6pm.
How: Take LRT Line 1 and get off in Gilmore Station. From Gilmore Station, walk towards Broadway Avenue. In the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Aurora Boulevard, turn right in the gasoline station. Walk straight ahead for around 3 minutes.
How much: Free. Use of books and other educational materials is free.