Hsi Lai Temple
DETAILS:
Location: 3456 Glenmark Dr, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Hours of Operation:
Temple: Daily - 9AM to 5PM
Vegetarian Lunch Buffet - Monday thru Friday; 11:30AM to 1:30pm / Saturday; 11:30AM to 2:30PM / Sunday; 12:30PM to 2:30PM
Parking: Free parking lot at temple.
Cost: Free to visit, but donations welcome.
Vegetarian lunch Buffet - $8 (CASH)
Museum - $1 (CASH)
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours should be plenty of time.
Miscellaneous:
Dress code: no sleeveless shirts, blouses, tank tops, shorts, shorts skirts, slippers or flip-flops.
Free tours available on weekends at 11:30AM.
Please visit their website for further details and for schedule of upcoming classes & events (provided below under “resources”).
It always amazes me what you can find in Southern California and the reach of various cultures that call it home. Located in Hacienda Heights is the Hsi Lai Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the western hemisphere. Established in 1988, it is one of nine temples in the entire world that represents the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, and the only one found in North America. Before you tell yourself that a visit might be intimidating because you’re not familiar with Buddhism (I’m right there with you), that’s exactly why this temple exists; to foster an awareness and education of Buddhism to us westerner regardless of your religious affiliation, or lack there of. All are welcome here. Okay, this might trigger your spidey-senses as you recall that time you were accosted by a Scientologist trying to convince you into taking a personality test, but rest assured, no one at the temple will bother you (much less solicit your Buddhist conversion) unless you have a question or try to take a picture inside any of the temples which is strictly prohibited.
The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive is the temple’s massive size. This isn’t some street corner chapel we’re talking about, this is a small city. Spanning 15 acres in the hills of Hacienda Heights, the temple wraps itself around a center courtyard with ornate Buddhist sculptures and figurines guarding every nook and corner. As you stand in the middle of this compound, enveloped by its grandeur, you’ll swear that you’ve been transported to another country, and in some regards, you have. There are two main temples that you can enter, one at the head of the entrance and the other found in back. As mentioned earlier, you’re not allowed to take pictures inside so please respect that. But it’s sort of nice to leave that a mystery in oder to coax a visit. The interiors are stunning though, and whatever you’re imagining right now, multiply that by 10 and you’ll get a small sense of what awaits you.
While you’re not obligated, I suggest you go hungry so that you can take advantage of their vegetarian lunch buffet. Listen, I’m a full-on carnivore through and through, so the thought of vegetarian anything leaves me less than satisfied. But the buffet here, while simply prepared, packs a lot of flavor and was surprisingly filling. Also, at least for me, there was something very “cleansing” about eating a meal within a Buddhist temple, so the price tag (a mere $8) was worth that experience alone. When in Rome, right? So go! Admire the architecture & artwork, learn a little about Buddhism, eat some sautéed vegetables, and be completely captivated by the Hsi Lai Temple.
RESOURCES:
Hsi Lai Temple website.
Hsi Lai Temple phone #: (626) 961-9697
