Community Outreach

Holidays are a time to celebrate, to give gifts to others, and to breathe gratitude. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the stay-at-home order, and the numerous, precious lives and jobs lost, the amount of families and individuals seeking assistance and support is immense.

The 6th annual Vegetarian Food and Toy Drive, started by our BLIA Long Beach Subchapter, will be dispersing donation boxes around the Temple for collections this winter. The simple act of giving can bring joy and wonderment into the heart of a child-in-need who receives a new toy. One bowl of vegetables, at a time of great need, can bring tears and actions of gratitude!

Let us remember that it is not really about the giver, the receiver, or the actual gift; it is about compassion, non-self, and sharing the purest joy, comfort, and convenience with another human being.

“Compassion is not a single act, it is a constant expression of the heart,” ~ Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Thanks to the partnership with local institutions, access to much needed health resources for the community are available at Hsi Lai Temple.

Over the years, we have worked with PIH Health Whittier Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, as well as other organizations to provide free flu shots to anyone who needs one.

International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), one of the world’s largest annual events supported by 6 million volunteers in 90 countries, is scheduled for September 19, 2020.

Buddhism has always placed great value on respecting and protecting the lives of all beings. As members of the global village, Hsi Lai Temple volunteers will gather together---around the third Saturday of September---upon a local beach. Together, we will warm up with a few early morning stretches, and then mindfully jump into action combing the sands and collecting debris to clean, preserve and protect the beaches, ocean, coastal birds, and marine life. Following beach clean-up, a well-deserved, delicious potluck luncheon will be shared.

Last year, worldwide, the most collected items were cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, and straws. As we know, plastics are not biodegradable. They are detrimental to our ecosystem and the well-being of all marine wildlife. Marine life affects the nature of our planet, which affects us! Our good actions and intentions help to preserve the external environment and, simultaneously, help to purify our own minds--making both more beautiful and healthier!

For more than 20 years, the annual Winter Love-Joy Scholarship Program, sponsored by Buddha’s Light International Association, has awarded scholarships to high-achieving academic students in need of financial assistance, through sponsorships, donations, and fundraising.

With the assistance of teachers and principals, one student per grade level is selected to receive the treasured scholarships. Last year, 32 schools in the Hacienda-La Puente School District received scholarships for their students. With gratitude, we show our support to our community, our schools, and our youth; and uphold, our founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s vision: “to nurture talent through education and to benefit society through charitable programs.”

Additionally, Hsi Lai Temple’s “Winter Relief Fund” Program awards an annual donation to help support the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department relief programs.

Hsi Lai Temple teams up with the American Red Cross to hold Blood Drives several times a year.

By rolling up a sleeve to donate one’s own blood, many members and visitors show their great loving-kindness and compassion for others. Donating blood is a simple but profound action due to its potential life-saving gift which helps to relieve the suffering of others’ in need.

The Buddha’s every thought, word, and action arose from a deep concern for others. We hope to see you soon within the walls of the Harmony Hall---the giving room. Just follow the signs.

Streamline your donation experience and complete your pre-donation health history questionnaire at RedCrossBlood/RapidPass
Our sponsor code is “HLAI”

Fo Guan Shan (FGS) Hsi Lai Temple participates in Interfaith Dialogue monthly meetings with the Arcadia Interfaith Action Group (AIAG), and the non-profit Guibord Center – Religion Inside Out.

With open hearts and open minds, numerous faith leaders representing Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Baha’i, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and other religious traditions, come together to share and to listen, to eliminate fears or misconceptions which can lead to misunderstandings, and to work together to promote equality and peace for all.

Fo Guan Shan (FGS) believes we are all creating history, so it is imperative “. . . we cherish blessings and build affinities to benefit all beings.”

FGS’s founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, explained that belief is

---like starlight, brightening the road;

---like a mansion, stable and safe;

---like a great vessel, traversing the sea;

---like the company of good friends.

Hsi Lai Temple was founded in hopes of religious harmony and exchange.

For over a decade, the temple has hosted an annual Prayer for World Peace to bring faith traditions together to achieve this goal. By bringing religious leaders together, this service seeks to create consensus and community. This multicultural event brings participants from all over the greater Los Angeles area to join us in celebrating diversity.

The service begins with a parade of flags followed by an offering of lights and prayers from representatives of each faith. There are also performances from various cultural organizations.

Past faith representatives have included:

Imam Fawaz Elmasri of Arcadia Muslim Congregation

Sister Gita Patel of Brahma Kumaris

Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda of Dharma Vijiya Buddhist Vihara of Los Angeles

Rev. Dr. Jolene Cadenbach of Arcadia Congregational Church