Our family has been coming to this temple for over 30 years. It's my mother's must do list on the…read morefirst day of every Chinese New Year to come here to give blessings, give thanks, and prayers for the Buddha. Quan Yin/ Kwan Ying is the Goddess of Compassion in the Buddhist religion. This temple is dedicated to her. I find this temple is more genuine about the true religion and dedicate to patrons to come here seeking prayers, serenity, peace for their beliefs. Although donations are appreciated it's not expected like some of the Buddhist temples around that make you feel that it's all about the money, how much you donate, and everything and services cost money.

What's up: The family comes to this temple to make prayers and ask for blessings during events such…read moreas beginning the New Year as well as ending the year. It's a bit out of our area, but we like that it's a small temple and that they aren't overly extravagant. Parking: They have a small lot that's up front and is almost always full. But...just because it's full, that doesn't mean the temple itself is. Parking is shared with the America's Vietnamese Chinese Friendship Association. You'll have better luck finding street parking on Gates St or Manitou Ave. Environment: Masks are required. We typically bring our own incense to offer to the gods. If you forget, there are incense available for you to use as people like to donate them. Once you walk in, the incense table can be found to the left. It's recommended to use 12 sticks of incense so you'll be able to at least give 1 stick at the incense pots. We like to bring fruits to offer/bless; there are plates towards the back room if you need to use them. Donation boxes are also available if you like to make one. Restrooms are available in the next building over on the ground floor. Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. I like that this place feels humble and intimate as opposed to the larger temples. They have the main gods that we would make prayers and offerings to and it's rarely busy unless you come in on one of the major holidays.

Dharma Seal Temple is a neighborhood Buddhist temple -- relatively new and inviting…read more The attendants here are nice but speaks Mandarin (I think). The temple offers a weekly prayers and community service with the added convenience of plenty of underground parking. I came during the week of Chinese New year so lots of red lanterns, festive decorations and I was lucky enough to have a monk offer his blessings.

The north hallway of the main shrine. It's a beautiful…read moretemple. Not sure if they always open to the public. I'm here to pick up a relative during their Sunday service. Friendly staff (volunteers?)here. As a Christian I don't felt uncomfortable or unwelcome here

I visited this temple from time to time or when I am having dimsum at NBC…read more.. This week I made a trip to visit and pay my appreciation. In the past few months, I have learned more about their charity work and their dedication in support the community. They have been generously donated masks, face shield and KN95 masks to local groups to help families in need. All the canned food that were brought to the temple for blessings are being safely collected then donate to LA foodbank. We go to temple to seek for inner peace and by sharing our blessings, we found peace.

We've been coming here for several years and it continues to be humble in their practice. They…read morestill give out free vegetarian food. The parking situation is not that great. It is mainly street parking right on Atlantic Blvd or the side streets. El Portal Pl is a popular spot (plus there's a cool water feature). You can also access the rear entrance from El Portal Pl by following the small alley behind the stores. The rear entrance is clearly labeled with a sign in Chinese and the words "Buddhist Mission 527." This time around, we used the rear entrance since we parked on El Portal. When we arrived at the temple, the place was fairly busy with people making their prayers and offerings to the gods. Since it was the start of the New Year, people were also making their offerings to Tai Sui to prevent misfortune/disturbances and ask for peace and good fortune. Overall, the place is pretty busy. They don't have a great parking area as it is mainly street parking. It's not a very lavish temple, but it has a nice homely feel to it.

Koyasan Buddhist Temple is a small temple hidden within Little Tokyo. Our party came here on the…read moreNew Year Day (January 1st) and there was a long line for hatsumode (aka "first visit" - first visit of the year to a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine taking place on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day of the New Year). This temple was founded in 1912 and moved to the current location in 1940. This is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the United States. [Parking]: No designated parking for the temple, but Aiso Parking Garage (101 Judge John Aiso St) is located just one block away. [Waiting line]: The long waiting line is for visitors who want to pray inside of the temple. For anyone who want to buy souvenirs, then they can just walk directly into the front courtyard of the temple as there are separate lines to buy souvenirs. [Hatsumode]: Upon entering the temple, visitor can pay $5 donation for Goma-ki (write your wish and your name on the piece of wood and leave it on the table - it will supposedly be burned during a monthly ceremony Goma Fire Ritual at the last Sunday of each month outside of January). Once each person is done praying, then there's a wooden offering box for donation. No pictures are allowed inside of the temple. [Activities]: Other than hatsumode, the temple had Shusho-e (New Years Day) Service [with Mochi Presentation] on January 1st at 10 AM, New Year's Day Goma Service on January 1st at 2 PM, and Taiko Gohei Blessing Service / Goma Service throughout Jan 1st through Jan 3rd. [Classes]: Outside of hatsumode, the temple offers yoga class, Japanese calligraphy class, dharma class, tea with reverend, etc. throughout the year. [Souvenirs]: They sell omamori (Japanese amulets) , ofuda (talismans), ojuzu (Buddhist prayer beads), incense, arrows, etc. Heck they even sell Hello Kitty and Ultraman omamori. [Admission]: Free admission, but consider paying your respects with a donation in the large wooden offering box. [Conclusion]: This is one of few activities to do on the New Year Day and expect a huge crowd visiting for hatsumode. Our party stayed for approximately 45 minutes (including waiting time) and I definitely appreciate the tradition. Certainly worth a visit for anyone who is free on the New Year Day & would like to experience this annual Japanese cultural event.

I have attended services at this Buddhist temple in Los Angeles. It the most popular Japanese…read moretemple in the city. The New Years service gets thousands of visitors. New Years service at Koyasan temple is gathering place for Little Tokyo.

My family has been coming to this Buddhist temple since the late 1980s. We generally come here…read moreduring the Chinese/Vietnamese New Year. A very relaxing and calming place to come pay your respects and possibly seeking the answers to your prayers. Parking: They have their own small and dedicated private lot. Should it gets packed, there's also residential street parking (just watch for signs). This Buddhist temple comprises of two levels. After you making your way up the stairs to the entrance, by the doorways is where you can place your money donations with the staff. Afterwards, you'll enter into the Main Floor (Level), which houses the Male and Female Buddhas as well as the Guardian Deities of the Sky. You'll go around the entire Main Floor paying your respects as well as asking for your possible prayers to come true. You can also donate money to purchase a candle to light up along with your prayers or shake out a wooden stick to find out your Dharma meaning to a certain question that you have been pondering. The Monks here are pretty nice and they'll be happy to help interpret for you. The staff volunteers here are pretty nice too and will do their best to assist you with any questions or inquiries that you might have regarding the temple. After you're done with the Main Level, you'll head downstairs to the Basement. Down there, you will head into the room that houses the Master Monk (who was escorted through the world with the Monkey King, Pig and Friar Sandy [Journey to the West Saga] to seek Enlightenment), who oversees the deceases and pay your respects to him as well as wishing safety and goodness for your deceased loved ones in the Underword as well. In addition, the Restrooms are also located in the Basement. There's only one restroom per sex and both are pretty decent and maintained. The Kitchen and Dining Room is also located down there too. The vegetarian meal prepared here, especially, during Chinese/Vietnamese New Year is delicious! Seasoned perfectly and nutritious, my Mom actually prefers the food here more than the vegetarian buffet at Hsi Lai Temple. Each person is given a plate of food and you can either eat it in the dining room or take it home. After you're done paying your respects, you can leave through the small stairway from the Basement or down the stairs from the main entrance (depending on where you're at). Overall, this Buddhist temple has been great to my family. A wonderful and hidden gem in a quiet neighborhood. Definitely worth checking out!

Earth store buddhisattva is here! every time I went here to attend drama assembly can always grow…read moremy bodhi seeds and belief root! Bowing to venerable Xuan Hua can inconceivably diminish the disaster and increase the blessing in your life And we will be protected and to be the one to be mindful by Buddha and buddhisattva. we can walk on the correct cultivation road to the Unsurpassed Buddhahood! Mamo Amita Buddha! Namo earth store buddhisattva and guanshiyin buddhisattva! Namo venerable XuanHua !

Really cool experience! Went with a friend who has been recently trying to delve into spirituality…read moreand was greeted with open arms straight out of the gate. As I walked through the doors, I was immediately ingratiated with a sense of "right" and belonging. The interior decoration is on point: the hallways lined with relics and other spiritual ornaments. The people there were all beaming lights of positivity and made me feel right at home. We began with basic mantras/chants: allowing me to feel a not so much divine, but rather, a spiritual sense of well being. I felt a little awkward at first reciting these chants without prior experience, but quickly picked up on the positive energies they exude. Upon expressing my limited exposure to spirituality, I was reassured and guided by a friendly lady. The way she expressed her views of the practices, as well as her personal experiences and how they provided the capabilities of elevating her own personal and familial wellbeing, made me feel confident I was in the right place at the right time! All around an interesting, holistic and fulfilling experience for sure.

Lorraine thank you so much for your kindness and help on getting our butsudan you truly inspire my…read morelife with your attitude and open heart. Thanks ! I hope we soon find a weekly meeting in or near Glendora

The memories I have with this temple have been pleasant and heartwarming…read more I can remember holding my ba ngoai's hand going from statue to statue and praying with heart as I place each incense in their holder. But as I got older and moved out I found myself going less and less. But I felt that this year was the year to rediscover my culture and I came back during Lunar New Year's weekend. I came on Lunar New Year day (1/29) and once more on Sunday (2/03). Being able to come and pray once more has brought more peace and ease to my heart. Especially now knowing that my dad's photo is here makes me so happy to know how close to home he is. When my mom told me my dad's photo was here I knew I had to come back, but when I came I was overwhelmed by how many photos there were and asked one of the ladies there to help. She was able to find my dad through his name and birthday and lead me to his photo. I was so happy to see his smiling face once more that I got a little misty eyed. But held back my tears because it is not good luck to cry on Lunar New Year LOL The temple is clean with helpful volunteers and monks. I love the food they make here and my boyfriend is hooked! They mentioned on Sundays at 9am they start selling food so I know where I'm heading that morning to grab a quick bite, say hi to my dad, and donate to the temple.

The Amazing Temple, along with the Most Venerable Thich Vien Ly, helped me discover a true sense of…read morefamily.