Who Are We?

The San Francisco Buddhist Center (SFBC) is a neighborhood nonprofit community that has been serving the Mission for 16 years. We offer contemplative practices to the general public to promote health and well being and believe that such practices makes a constructive contribution to the modern world.

Around 100 people per week--many of whom are low income --come to the SFBC to attend classes offered by our volunteer community in meditation, yoga, stress reduction, as well as cultural and arts events. We are operating as early as 7:30am to as late as 9:30pm seven days a week. Above the Center there are two apartments where five permanent residents live, most of whom are ordained Buddhist teachers. We also frequently host visiting teachers for a few days, or for as long as six weeks.

We are located on Bartlett Street, less than 25 yards away from Medjool's rooftop. Based on past experience, we have a real concern that noise from a Medjool rooftop restaurant and bar could make our home unlivable and our Center inoperable. At the same time, we realize Medjool’s large indoor restaurant, bar and hostel are a thriving business attracting visitors from around the world. We support Medjool as a successful business and appreciate the owner Gus Murad's many contributions to the community. We also believe Medjool can be a good neighbor and work with us to find a workable solution to the noise problem created by the rooftop bar so that all can coexist.

The SFBC worked successfully with Foreign Cinema to use the City’s Conditional Use Process to ensure the outdoor, open air restaurant was designed and operated so that we could co-exist as neighbors. Our agreements are a formal part of the permit conditions allowing the restaurant to operate, even if the business changes owners.