This gorgeous temple serves as a spiritual and community center for the Buddhist community in Los…read moreAngeles. I visited for the first time to support the Brew Ha Ha 5.0 fundraiser; as you may have guessed, the fundraiser involved drinking beer (and eating snacks served at "yatai", mobile food booths common in Japan). Any temple that serves beer in the community hall is all right with me, and these pairings of snacks/beer knocked it out of the park. This is a can't miss fundraiser to support the community and truly unique in the L.A. area. The grounds are stunning, beautifully maintained, and with historical features named on informational plaques. I was unable to visit the interior of the temple, but if the exterior is any indication, it's beautiful. Very ample parking. Absolutely wonderful asset to the community; hope to visit again soon.

Call me biased, as this is now my home temple. But from the very first day I wandered in, I knew…read morethere was something special here. Whether you are an experienced practitioner or new to Buddhism completely, the folks at LAAHBT will take great care of you. The services are comforting. The ministers are friendly and very approachable. And they offer a range of classes on a donation basis. Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is not as well known in the USA as other schools like Zen or Tibetan, but it is a Buddhism that embraces the here and now. It sees us in all of our imperfections and differences and welcomes us each as we are. Services are in both English and Japanese and the congregation (sangha) is diverse. They offer special celebrations that are open to the public as well. If you have never been to an Obon Festival, you need to come dance with the folks at LAHHBT! And did I mention how beautiful the temple is inside? You should see it for yourself

This has been the temple I've been going to since I was younger. I come once a year or maybe twice…read moreto pray to my grandma and grandpa. The people here are so kindhearted & warm. This is primarily a teochow/Chinese temple. :-) They have free vegetarian food on super big holidays like Lunar New Years. I would 100% recommend coming to this temple and praying. It's truly peaceful & everyone here is so kind :')

This temple is Teochew/Chinese and all are welcomed. I come here almost every year. I have an uncle…read moreand a older cousin that works there. It's a small and beautiful place to be a part of. Last year I did not make it in on time and they closed early so be sure to check the times or call in for hours. Don't assume everyone speaks English. There is no entrance fee. Its a great place to visit if you're in town or for the Chinese New Year. There is plenty of parking in the lot. Like most temples, donations are acceptable at any dollar amount and is not a requirement. Most of the time if they see you give donations during the Chinese New Year, you get tangerines or oranges in return. A lot of temples have smoke blowing in your eyes and surroundings from the incense being lit, but not at this place. This place is very clean and less congested. It's really quiet and less crowded too which is good.

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.

My family has been coming here for so long that the monks gave us all nicknames. This temple is…read morevery peaceful and a good place to unwind if you need to get away from the bustle of the city. They have a daily service from 10:30-noon for the community but you can request a short prayer service before or after depending on the monk's availability. If you're familiar with Thai Buddhist tradition and temple culture, people will bring a dish or more for the monks to bless and later partake in, offer up a blessing/alms for those who've passed, then everyone will pray together while the monks receive the offerings (basically eat lunch), then it's potluck time for visitors after. It's a very laid back temple, they do have classes for youngsters on the weekends, holiday events, can also host weddings and funeral prayer services. They have retreat style meditation and also have community fund raising events as well. Please be kind and respectful when visiting, help out when possible as there are no hired janitors, everyone pitches in to help when organizing the service and you will see the system if you look for it. P.S. No shoes are allowed in the praying/service rooms, available shoe shelves are right outside the doors before entering, the shoes should join the shoe community on the shelves...thanks.

Beautiful temple. Great Ceremonial events. Nice gardens. Willing to let anyone who would like to…read morehave a statue...

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

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 !

修行，不是追求完美，而是坦然地接受殘缺。人無完美，做人也好，做事也罷，誰能盡善盡美？人生的修行，就是用智慧看透世間黑白，並用一顆善良的心成就一切美好，用一顆寬容的心，坦然地接納無法的不完美～…read more 淨宗學會， 我來過好幾次了，這個地方有很多的佛教文學， 經書， 師兄姐們態度也都很客氣， 很多經書可以免費跟大眾結緣， 我現在唸的阿彌陀經， 藥師經... 的經書， 都是在這裡請的， 當然， 你也可以隨喜功德， 也可以助印更多經書， 來幫助更多的信眾

The Amida Society is a place where you can learn the Buddha's teachings. Specifically it is a place…read moreof practice and education in the Pureland tradition. They have a regular Dharma Assembly where you chant Amitabha's name (in Chinese). They have english dharma classes as well so don't be shy to shoot an email. Try a more peaceful and simple way of living! It is a lay organization.

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!