The Otherworldy Path to Hsi Lai Temple



Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights

This Sunday's travel turned out to be a bright atmosphere: clear, blue skies and ideal summery feel. Located in Hacienda Heights were rows after rows of sun-dried adobe houses on rolling. However, there is more to it. Hidden on the very top of the hill like a hidden jewel in a sea of white houses, emerged an majestic, oriental sanctuary. That is the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple.

Interior of the temple: Golden statue of Buddha



Stone monk statues on the side roads



I drove on the rocky, curvy terrace to the top of the hill to arrive at my destination. On the way, I saw that the Buddhist monks added cute, petite monk statues as a decorations on every grassy turn. After successfully finding a parking space, I walked up the marble steps to the outermost temple, where I could inhale the mixture of forest trees and smoke incense from the temple. Within the temple, there were people praying side by side to the monumental and magnificent Buddist statues looking over them. Before I take a tour around the temple, I went to the Dining Room next to the temple to fill up my stomach. Upon reaching the  loud, clanging dining room, I could smell  the zestful,  tangy aromas of steamed vegetables, cooked chow mein, and seasoned vegetable soup; today's special is Vegetarian buffet.

Temple's vegetarian lunch buffet (tofu, bean curd, carrots, bok choy, chow mein, mushrooms, fungus, and squash)





deep-fried herb and pepper tempura with bok choy

After being filled up nutritional and delicious veggies (as well as fruits), I ventured out onto the temple grounds and take in the spiritual vibe of this magnificent Buddhist temple. I climbed up another set of marble steps onto the innermost temple, where there was an incense furnace waiting on top. The incense furnace's purpose is to bring together all of the incense burning sticks, so people prayed for the Buddhist deities. First, the people pray (with incense sticks) for theirs and their family's good health, happiness, and longevity to the Buddhist statues in the temple. Then they pray again to the incense furnace and stick the burining candles into the ashes. By this act, Buddhist deities know that people prayed for them and would grant their good wishes.

Incense furnace

burning candles for Buddhist deities

statues of monks on a fountain (temple's western side)



Statues of monks on a garden(temple's eastern side)




Buddhist's bell of good fortune



I tried to throw a penny at the bell for good luck. There was a saying: "One sound of the bell enhances merit. Two sounds of the bell develop wisdom. Three sounds of the bell bring good fortune."