[αmεlισcrαcγ] coming west.

[Nicole Woon]

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple ("Great Buddhadharma Coming West") is a Chinese Buddhist mountain monastery. Completed at a cost of $10 million on November 26, 1988, it has since been the location of numerous important events, from the 16th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists to the starting venue for The Amazing Race's 19th season.

The Main Shrine is the heart of Hsi Lai Temple and hosts its main activities. It contains statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. Additionally, its walls house thousands of niches each containing an image of the Buddha.

A view of the expansive courtyard from the steps of the Main Shrine.

The temple practices Humanistic Buddhism, which incorporates the eight traditional schools of Chinese Buddhism to provide guidance deemed most useful to modern life.

The Avalokitesvara Garden, also known as the "Salvation Garden," is located on the right of the temple. It contains the acolytes of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and statues of the Four Deva Kings of Heaven.

The ornate mountain gate both welcomes guests to the spacious temple and overlooks the sweeping foothills of the city below.

Hacienda Heights, CA.

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Posted By Nicole Woon to αmεlισcrαcγ at 7/25/2012 09:00:00 AM