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Visiting Us

Thank you for your interest in visiting Fo Guang Shan’s Hsi Lai Temple. We look forward to meeting you, both online or in person; whether you are an individual, a couple, a family, or a group, everyone from around the world is welcome!

Home:

Hsi Lai is home to many Fo Guang Shan monastics (monks and nuns) and people from around the world who visit as part of their spiritual journey. As you come through the front gate, please practice mindfulness and kindness while you are in this exceptional spiritual home.

Practicing mindfulness and kindness while visiting Hsi Lai makes the experience special for yourself, and others, who are at the Temple. Here are some things to keep in your mind and heart while visiting:

  • Let each one of us be a guest who will be invited back again because of our good behavior.
  • Treat the home we are visiting and those who live here as our dearest friends.
  • Take time; feel the specialness and the warmth.
  • Tread lightly with a grateful heart.
  • Show respect in every movement, word, and thought.
  • Enjoy!

Hours:

The Temple is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. (Art Gallery and Memorial Pagoda closed Mondays)

Tours:

You may quietly explore on your own with a brochure found on the bookshelves in either breezeway of the very first hall, the Bodhisattva Hall. Larger school or church groups may request a guided tour by one of our docents.

Self-Guided Tour

  • Quietly explore and visit all the various temple treasures at your own pace.
  • A map of the Temple is available at the Information Center, along with tea and coffee.
  • Vegetarian buffet lunch is served daily, starting at 11:30 am.

For inquiries regarding tours, please contact:

  • Tour Division, Outreach & Social Ed Departments
  • Phone: (626) 961-9697 ext. 5131
  • Email: tour@hsilai.org

For inquiries regarding school projects, interviews, or classroom presentations, please contact:

  • Outreach & Social Ed Departments
  • Email: outreach@ibps.org

Vegetarian Buffet:

  • Hours:
    • Mon - Fri - 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
    • Sat & Sun - 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Each day a well-balanced, beautiful vegetarian meal is prepared.
  • Daily rotating menu consists of: fragrant steamed rice, savory noodles, a colorful array of hot veggies, freshly cooked greens, crunchy fried goodness, hot soup, as well as fresh fruit.
  • During annual prayer services, the public dining hours may be adjusted to begin at 12:30 PM to accommodate our devotees as the formal meal is a part of our spiritual practice.
  • Fee:
    • $10/person
Important Guidelines

For your convenience and comfort, please review the guidelines/regulations below.

WHILE on temple PROPERTY, our visitors AGREE to abide by and to uphold all regulations. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who violates any of our regulations.

Dress Code:

  • Preferred: shirts with sleeves (male and female)
  • Preferred: no tank tops, shorts, short skirts/dresses, flip-flops, or slippers.
  • When entering the Main Shrine, you might be offered a shawl to cover your bare shoulders, or a wrap to help lengthen your short skirt/shorts, out of respect to the Buddha.

Traffic/Parking:

  • Entrance of all vehicles are at the discretion of Traffic Control staff on duty; please follow their directions.
  • All roads are one way only.
  • Speed limit: 5 mph.
  • No overnight parking.
  • Parking for Visitors ONLY, others will be towed at the owner’s expense.
  • Loud music, private gatherings, and tailgating parties in the parking lots are prohibited.
  • All oversized vehicles---including school buses, tour buses, and oversized vans---must park on Glenmark Drive.
  • Handicapped/Less-abled parking available.

Strictly PROHIBITED:

  • Meat, fish, and poultry.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Smoking and vaping (e-cigarette).
  • Medical and recreational use of marijuana.
  • Bicycles, rollerblading, skateboarding.
  • Pets (except certified service animals).
  • Drone planes.
  • Solicitors.

Photos:

  • Outdoors ONLY.
  • All photos and videos are for PERSONAL use ONLY and may not be taken to help promote, sell, or advertise any merchandise or event, including clothing and other items.
  • NO indoor photos. NO pictures/videos can be taken inside the Main Shrine, Bodhisattva Hall, Art Gallery and the Museum, Dining Hall/Vegetarian Buffet, and other inside spaces.
  • ALL commercial photography and videos (including advertising) are PROHIBITED without approval/permission.

Handicapped/Less-abled Accessible:

  • Handicapped/less-abled parking available on upper level lot, closest to complex.
  • Elevator from parking lot up to temple courtyard level to the right of central staircase.
  • Elevator from courtyard up to Main Shrine at upper right corner stairwell, past flagpole.

Respect:

  • We genuinely appreciate your mindfulness and kindness to all of our other visitors, our monastics, our staff, our volunteers, and all living beings. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions