The temple is the most authentic structure of traditional Chinese palatial (imperial) style in North America. Its design is based on the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. The International Buddhist Temple features golden tiles on its two-tiered roof, flared eaves, and two scholar's courtyards. Beyond the main courtyard is the classical Chinese garden with lotus ponds, twin gazebos, rock landscapes, and a stone bridge. One attraction is the flowing Wisdom Fountain at the edge of the pond. Worshipers believe that water from the Wisdom Fountain has cleansing properties and other benefits. There is also the Siddhartha Gautama Pool, in which nine white dragons spout water towards the sky. They represent the nine heavenly dragons which bathed Prince Siddhartha Gautama as a newborn.