Hsi Lai Temple in the United States

Hsi Lai Temple in the United States

There is a Hsi Lai Temple in California, USA, located on the Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles. The temple faces south and features layers of halls that ascend the mountain from the main gate to the top, arranged in a well-spaced and harmonious layout. The temple's ground plan resembles a pagoda, surrounded by beautiful scenery and lush greenery. It has a construction area of over 9,500 square meters and covers a total area of more than 90 acres.

Its main gate is an elegant, traditional Chinese glazed archway with four pillars, three bays, and three stories. On the front, it is inscribed with six large characters: “Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple.” The two outer pillars are inscribed with: “The compassionate heart of Buddha shines upon countless realms; the vow from the West delivers hundreds of millions.” The two central pillars read: “Buddha’s light illuminates the three thousand worlds from the East; the Dharma waters flow endlessly across the five continents from the West.” Clearly, these couplets reveal the meaning of the temple’s name—“the Dharma coming from the West.” In Buddhism, making vows is a key practice. Passing through the archway and looking back, the reverse side features a plaque inscribed with “The Four Great Vows.” The four pillars, from west to east, list the specific vows: “To save all sentient beings without limit; to cut off all afflictions without end; to study all Dharma doors without number; to attain the supreme path of Buddhahood.”

Directly north of the archway is the first major hall—the majestic Hall of the Five Saints. Inside, five bodhisattvas are enshrined, from east to west: Manjushri Bodhisattva representing wisdom, Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva representing compassion, Maitreya Bodhisattva representing joy, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva representing vows, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva representing practice. Various offerings are presented before the bodhisattva statues, including incense, flowers, lamps, scented oils, fruits, food, tea, pearls, jewels, and clothing.

In the southwest corner of the courtyard, there is a group of statues known as the “Spirit Mountain Pure Land.” Here, the Eighteen Arhats are situated on and around the “Spirit Mountain,” seated or standing in various poses, with lifelike expressions. Similarly, in the southeast corner of the courtyard, there is another group of statues called “The Universal Ferry of Compassion.” Guanyin Bodhisattva is seated atop a hill, with Sudhana and Longnü (Dragon Girl) attending her on either side. The Four Heavenly Kings—Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Virudhaka, and Dhritarashtra—are positioned around the water in their respective directions, while the Four Dragon Kings stand reverently to the sides, paying homage to Guanyin. The statues are vividly crafted and strikingly lifelike.

Attraction Location

California, USA