About Hsi Lai Temple

Hsi Lai Temple, the North American Regional Headquarters of Fo Guang Shan, was built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning more about Buddhism and Chinese culture. It is the intention of its founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, to propagate Humanistic Buddhism and to create a Pure Land here on earth. Hsi Lai Temple is built to fulfill these goals in the United States.

Situated in Hacienda Heights in the Los Angeles county, Hsi Lai Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in North America. The temple’s foundational ideology is Humanistic Buddhism which seeks to propagate Buddhist teachings through education, cultural outreach, community services, and spiritual practice. In this pursuit, Hsi Lai Temple has hosted numerous local and international events, including Chinese Spring Festival which, during its two week period, welcomes an average of 20,000 visitors per day.

Hsi Lai Temple encompasses 15 acres and a floor area of over 100,000 square feet. The temple’s architecture, gardens and statuary are faithful to the traditional style of Chinese monasteries from the Ming (1268—1644) and Qing (1644—1911) dynasties. The ten-year planning and construction was completed in 1988. Hsi Lai means “Coming to the West” and signifies the dedication of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order to spread the teachings of the Buddha to those in the West. The International Buddhist Progress Society, a nonprofit organization, is the chartered name for the temple.