Hsi Lai Temple

Address:3456 S Glenmark Dr.
Hacienda Heights, California
Tel: (626) 961-9697

Visit the largest Chinese temple in the United States! See sacred Buddhist shrines and learn to meditate in the Chinese cultural center for the West!

Hsi Lai Temple (pronounced She Lye), is a traditional Chinese Buddhist mountain monastery located on the foothill region of Hacienda Heights. Meaning "Coming West," the temple was built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning more about Buddhism and the Chinese culture in the West. The Ming and Ching dynasty architecture of the temple is in the traditional style of ancient Chinese monasteries and naturally, the temple is brimming with shrines, from the ones in the most important building in the temple, dedicated to Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, to the ones found in Bodhisattva Hall, which contains statues of the five main bodhisattvas.

Since Hsi Lai Temple is also a working monastery in addition to a temple, there are a number of monks and nuns living in the complex who provide weekly lectures on Buddhism and workshops on Chinese culture and language. There are also weekly prayer services at Hsi Lai Temple on Saturdays and Sundays, meditation sessions and week-long meditation retreats. Guided tours are available for groups of about 15 or more and with a recommended donation of $5. Visitors can enjoy a yummy vegetarian feast in the dining hall. Remember to show respect to the Temple and dress appropriately, and do not bring food or beverages into the temple.

Hsi Lai temple is located at 3456 S. Glenmark Drive in Hacienda Heights, CA. From downtown Los Angeles, take 60 East/Pomona Freeway, exit on Hacienda Boulevard. Turn left at Three Palms Street, right onto South Hacienda Boulevard, and left on South Glenmark Drive.