Buddhas Garden

I’ve just come home very shaken from my experience in this store. I’m so glad I looked the place up on Unilocal,because I had the same horrible experience that several other people have had. Other reviews have helped me make sense of what just happened to me.
The store is closing, and after what happened today, I totally get why. I debated Unilocaling this guy, because he *is* closing, but after reading about the same thing happening to other people, I thought it would be cathartic for me to get this out of my mind. The experience was confusing and confounding.
My husband and I stopped by on a Saturday morning, we were headed home from a driving meander around town, checking out architecture and estate sales. We were on our way home when we saw his «Store Closing» sign and decided to take a look inside, since we both love the aesthetic.
Oh, how I wish we had kept driving.
The owner was standing in the door with a push broom as we tried to walk in. He was talking to other customers, so we waited a few seconds for him to let us through. The energy in the place is a bit frenetic, which seemed odd for a Buddhist store. He was popping around to the customers in back, haggling, making a deal. It didn’t seem too out of the ordinary.
After a slow walk around the store, admiring pieces, imagining where some of them might fit into our home, we walked toward the display in the front. Standing near the prayer flags, and ironically enough, next to a wall hanging with the «My religion is kindness» quote from the Dalai Lama, the owner rushed over to us.
He addressed my husband first. «You two aren’t going to buy anything because you’re walking around with your hands in your pockets. If you like something I’ll discount it more…» Super frenetic energy coming off of this guy. (BTW, it was still a bit chilly, so hands in pockets to keep them warm and to hold onto cell phones, which are not allowed out in the store. I see on reviews here that he has said this to others. That little factoid, which he must have learned in some retail marketing psychology seminar, does not always apply.)
The thoughts running through my head, when he was standing next to us, were «We did make a resolution to not purchase anything decorative in January. We’re trying to cut back on consumerism.» I weighed saying that out loud, but seriously, he didn’t need to know that. So I just continued to look towards the prayer flag pile, which was about knee height.
Then the owner got about a foot away from my face and aggressively said «You should be happy. You need to smile…» He kept talking about how I didn’t look right.
I know I have resting bitch face, but my thoughts are generally thoughts of kindness. I replied «You know, you probably shouldn’t tell people to smile. You don’t know what they might be going through.»
Then he said «Get out of my store!!» gesturing wildly toward the door we were about to walk out of any way. «GET OUT!!»
I said «You aren’t very zen are you?» in a mild voice.
He continued to yell at us to get out as we were walking out.
I was completely shocked. It was an out-​of-​the-​blue verbal assault.
So, I came home and tried to rationalize that behavior: Maybe going out of business made him extremely hostile, maybe he’s going through other health/​financial concerns that have him riled up. As I sat, trying to dispel the negativity, trying to release the thoughts of this man, so he wouldn’t dominate my day after this interaction, I thought of the teaching that everyone you meet is a Buddha, they have something to teach you.
So what did this man have to teach me? Perhaps to not take personally how other people might look when I’m near them. Maybe that not all «spiritual» stores operate on a spiritual level. Maybe it’s to reply with kindness when approached with hostility.
I still don’t know. Going to meditate this away and try to get on with the rest of my day.

I read some of the reviews after my experience at this store … it made me chuckle as I had the most bizarre, frightening and disheartening experience at this store … some can relate and some perhaps caught the owner on a good day? I recently visited Bali & Thailand and was excited to check out Buddhas Garden to find some of the product I wasn’t able to bring home. When I politely asked the owner where he sourced his products he told me firmly «I do not have to provide you with this information.» A little confused I asked him again politely assuming he would share the same joy in travel to these areas as I did, and mentioned he may have misunderstood my question as I was genuinely interested in purchasing something. Again, he responded rudely with «I do not need to provide you with any information, please leave my store, I don’t need your business.» In absolute shock, I quickly walked out of the store in utter disbelief. I know this response wasn’t something I did to him, perhaps there’s an underlying personal issue going on with the owner? Either way I send the owner love and light and wish him success. However, The Law of Attraction will always abide.

I adore Buddhas Garden. Christian is lovely and authentic. We actually spent hours chatting before I even purchased items there.
Inevitably, I bought several, unique treasures including a very blessed singing bowl.

Do not bother going, this place does NOT deserve your business! Owner is beyond rude and snide, obviously does not want any business nor does he want anyone in his store. Looking forward to it going out of business, definitely inevitable!

Buddha’s Garden is such and unique and beautiful shop! I truly hope that it stays open in Ventura. Seems like many people in this area don’t really appreciate these types of places. Christian is one of the most inviting and personable people that you will ever meet and there are so many store items that are absolutely gorgeous and true treasures! You will LOVE this find! — :)

If there were zero stars, I would have done it! The owner was hostile towards my husband. We were browsing and my husband had his hands in his pocket. He then commented to another customer that hands in your pockets means you don’t want to spend any money. He again demanded that my husband remove his hands from his pockets because he looked uptight. We were starting to make our way out of the store as he demanded, once again, for my husband to take his hands from his pocket and then proceeded to call him a «Minch» saying that people like my husband are what’s wrong with Americans. The guy is rude and has issues. Stay away from this store!

Driving by, I was drawn in by the beautiful pieces, but ran out by the rude service! Forget home décor if you want some sassy one liners come on in. First, the door was locked, at 1:30 pm. We come inside say «oh, sorry didn’t mean to disturb your lunch.» «Just eating, I’m here for my customers.» Ok, whatever. So I ask if there’s any tapestry sort of things, shopkeeper responds with «No, there’s no space for that. Take a look at what we do have though.» Ok, rude. He did mention a sale this weekend though, good because with the prices of everything and having the door locked that would probably help you sell. The best part, another lady walked in, starts looking around, has her phone out and the shopkeeper yells «No phones in here!» she says «oh sorry I didn’t know, just texting». «There’s signs all over the store» he replies. Ok, bye. The lady, along with my sister and I head out the door. That’s really too bad, my sister was ready to furnish a whole room with stuff she saw inside. Treating customers that way was a big mistake, huge! I hope the universe helps the owner open his eyes to something called «customer service» you could not pay me to go back in that store.

We only wandered in while out for a bike ride. Didn’t buy anything, but the owner was great. He let us in despite being after hours and talked to us about world travel. This man lives the life he caters to and it shows. He’s such a positive light.
Stop in soon! He said he’s moving at the end of 2016!

Let me just start by saying how lucky we are to have such a one of a kind shop in our town! From the moment I came in Christian was very patient with me and was delighted to answer my countless questions. I am so glad I disregarded the negative reviews below and found out for myself. Thank you for all your help. I can’t wait to hang my much needed inspirational scroll and sit down with one of the several books you recommend!

This store is fantastic, I have been waiting for a store like this in Ventura, and couldn’t wait to go in and shop. The owner Christian was very friendly and knowledgeable beyond what I expected and he was willing to share that knowledge. I moved here from Maryland, and I have to say this has been one of the most enlightening shopping experiences since I moved to Ventura. Thank You Christian for your positive energy.

Buddhas Garden is amazing. My favorite store in Ventura. We first met Christian in his store in Santa Barbara, so happy he moved/​opened his store in Ventura, closer to us.
Christian always makes you feel so welcomed and remembers your name. Even if you haven’t been to his store for a while. Makes you feel really special.
His store is so inspirational. Very spiritual and soothing when you walk in.
I love this store.

I tried giving this place zero stars. Today, while visiting Ventura from out of town, my friend and I tried walking into the store, at 11:20am. We had been there earlier and came back since it wasn’t open yet. It opens at 11 according to the sign. The proprietor was putting statues out on the sidewalk and told us abruptly to move out of his way. He then told us curtly that it was not open and to go somewhere else. He was extremely rude to the point of being hostile towards us.
Not true– the door was open, the sign said it was open and you rudely told us to go to another store. We were the polite ones here, you were the rude one.

I drove past this store many times before stopping in and wished I had shopped here earlier. What a treasure here in the middle of Ventura. They have a huge selection of wonderful, and spiritually uplifting items for the house and garden. I love their buddha statues and home décor. Many hand carved items in wood and stone plus rare items that cannot be found in other stores. The purchases I made were of great value and quality. The owner was very helpful and patient with my many questions. Will be back again for sure.

So happy to have such a beautiful and serene store in Ventura! Originally this shop was located in Sta. Barbara where I bought many items from and became a fan. In all my travels through the years I had never found anything like this before! This beautiful store is not just a place to shop for beautiful deities or malas but also is a tranquil meditative setting where one feels peaceful as if it were a temple.
I absolutely love the various organic incense aromas that’s always burning which I have bought to give away as presents as well as to burn in my home. The owner Christian is a great person, always kind to everyone and willing to answer any questions. I have been in the store when other customers have been there and seen him be attentive and really kind to everyone, as well as give a hug to customers when leaving the store. Also there are «no cell phones» signs posted which is understandable due its meditative tranquil environment. Thank you Christian for bringing this amazing store to Ventura and for your design vision of with all the magnificent items that you carry for us to enjoy! Peace and blessings to all!

I am giving this shop 2 stars simply for the fact that the owner has some beautiful items in there.
As other shoppers have noted, the owner was shockingly stand-​offish and rude. Perhaps it is a personality quirk, but it does not serve the shop well.
A friend and I stopped in to check out the mala beads. She found some she loved but told me later she didn’t buy them because of how rude the shop owner was. I agreed with her! It’s really too bad. Remember– you catch more bees with honey!

I found the owner to be surprisingly hostile. Not a very buddha-​like energy, plus the incense was overkill. Won’t go back there again. I’ll do my Buddha-​browsing online!

I’ve been meaning to come in to this place for months. Buddha is such a beautiful and peaceful part of life I felt like I couldn’t wait to come in! Today finally we drove by and it was open as we saw some statues outside. I went to the door at found it locked. I tried to open it and then man inside rudely unlocked it and let us in. He walked away back to the counter without looking our way or saying a word. Finally after about a minute he said «hello». We said hello and began to look around. No words were said no «can I help you find anything» nothing at all. Before we left I looked and found some Prayer Flags I’ve been looking for for a long time! I was so excited! There were two sealed bags w flags, I put them aside to look at the ones that were open. I went through and read the beautiful messages on the flags. I put them back as neat as I could and before I had the chance to do anything else, the man walked up behind us, gabbed the flags angrily and began to arrange them «properly». We were made to feel so unwelcome. We went to leave and felt sad to think how a person that promotes such beauty, peace and tranquility could possibly act so inappropriately. I’m very sad and will never come back there.

Christian, the owner, knows all about spirituality. When you walk in the store, he makes you not only feel welcome, but takes time to help you find what you want. He is kind and respectful; very intuitive. Every customer is important to him. This store has many good choices and rare to find items. There are excellent gift ideas for every situation.

This Main Street store is easy to get to, easy to find and very well worth the effort to locate. There is street parking and more behind the store. This is a store but so much more. Stepping into a temple like atmosphere you will appreciate the beautiful sights, sounds, lighting and scents. Items for every budget, it’s hard to exit because your eye will make catch more. and more. It is a joy to come here largely in part to the wonderful owner who makes it friendly and fun. I wish I could make this a 10 star review.

I’m glad this store moved here to Ventura from Santa Barbara.
Just walking in is calming, the smell of incense, the soothing music… From front to back, the walls are decorated with gorgeous imported furniture and spiritual artifacts. This is hand-​made merchandise, the good stuff.
After a few minutes of talking with the owner his talent for design is obvious. Christian is gracious and knowledgeable. The company also does professional landscape lighting for multi million dollar homes internationally.