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Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights, California

Visiting the Hsi Lai Temple, nestled in the hills of Hacienda Heights, I felt as though I was transported back in time and to another world. Spread out over 15 acres, the temple grounds are surrounded by beautiful structures inspired by Ming and Ching dynasty architecture.

At the center of this Chinese Buddhist temple is a spacious courtyard where many outdoor events are hosted. On this visit, a week after Chinese New Year, the courtyard was filled with colorful decorations from the festivities. There were red lanterns hanging throughout the temple, Chinese dolls and figurines bearing messages of good luck and prosperity, and most importantly, plenty of stuffed tigers (for the Year of the Tiger).

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The temple is also a place where many wishes are made. A wishing tree stands on the east side of the courtyard; for a donation, visitors get a red silk ribbon, make a wish and throw it on the tree. On the north side of the courtyard there’s a bell where visitors can drop money into a box, make a wish and ring the bell. There are also plenty of wishing wells and fountains filled with coins around the temple.

Facing the courtyard is a large set of stairs that lead to the main shrine. Atop the stairs just outside the entrance is where visitors burn incense and pray. The main shrine is dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha (the founder of Buddhism); it is also where most religious services are held. Inside you can place a lighted candle before the Buddha statue as a sign of respect.

You do not have to be Buddhist to come to Hsi Lai Temple – visitors interested in learning about Buddhism and Chinese culture are welcome. Visitors should keep in mind, however, that shorts, miniskirts and tank tops are discouraged.

The temple is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Self-guided audio tours are available for individuals and groups of less than 15 (hsilai.org).

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Visiting the Hsi Lai Temple, nestled in the hills of Hacienda Heights, I felt as though I was transported back in time and to another world. Spread out over 15 acres, the temple grounds are surrounded by beautiful structures inspired by Ming and Ching dynasty architecture.

At the center of this Chinese Buddhist temple is a spacious courtyard where many outdoor events are hosted. On this visit, a week after Chinese New Year, the courtyard was filled with colorful decorations from the festivities. There were red lanterns hanging throughout the temple, Chinese dolls and figurines bearing messages of good luck and prosperity, and most importantly, plenty of stuffed tigers (for the Year of the Tiger).

Sponsored
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The temple is also a place where many wishes are made. A wishing tree stands on the east side of the courtyard; for a donation, visitors get a red silk ribbon, make a wish and throw it on the tree. On the north side of the courtyard there’s a bell where visitors can drop money into a box, make a wish and ring the bell. There are also plenty of wishing wells and fountains filled with coins around the temple.

Facing the courtyard is a large set of stairs that lead to the main shrine. Atop the stairs just outside the entrance is where visitors burn incense and pray. The main shrine is dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha (the founder of Buddhism); it is also where most religious services are held. Inside you can place a lighted candle before the Buddha statue as a sign of respect.

You do not have to be Buddhist to come to Hsi Lai Temple – visitors interested in learning about Buddhism and Chinese culture are welcome. Visitors should keep in mind, however, that shorts, miniskirts and tank tops are discouraged.

The temple is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Self-guided audio tours are available for individuals and groups of less than 15 (hsilai.org).

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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