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.

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.

The most beautiful stunning temple. The food is amazing and delicious. The people are kind and I…read morelove it here. 10000000000/5 stars if I could live here I would.

The Master Monk of the new Hai Tang Buddhist Temple is named Nhat Thanh. He practiced several years…read morein India, the origin land of Buddha. If you ever get the chance, please visit this temple and say hello to Monk Nhat Thanh. Overall, it's such a wonderful and peaceful experience. Despite your need for the visit, whether it's for a spiritual guidance or daily prayer, this temple is open every day of the week and everyone is extremely welcoming. You and your soul will definitely find a sense of peace and calmness as your worries and sorrows will also fade away here. In addition, there's plenty of vegetarian dishes available each day for you to choose and purchase from; every dish is made with so much love and care. Your donations will go a long way to help further build the temple. There's also group prayers every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday around 7pm along with weekend gatherings. The environment here is like no other, the Hai Tang Temple is truly so beautiful and spacious. I love this temple with all my heart and I know your donations would be greatly appreciated here as well!

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.

Pretty nice temple, alot of parking. We come here to pai tai sieur. There are alot of buddhism…read morebooks that you can purchase through donations, my sissy has started up a small collection throughout the years.

Very nice Buddha Hall and a lot of informational texts you can take, make sure to make a donation!…read more The vegetarian food they serve here when they do is pretty good too.

Japanese Obon (oh bohn) festivals are summer time local events which originated from Buddhist…read morephilosophy 2,500 years ago in India. One of Shakamuni Buddha's disciples, Maha Maudgalyayana or Mokuren in Japanese, had supernatural powers and could see his mother suffering in the afterworld. He conferred with the Buddha who counseled him to make food offerings to his fellow monks which was on the 7th month of lthe 15th day. This act of kindness released his mother from agony. Mokuren was overjoyed not only by the fact that his mother was no longer suffering, but also remembered her sacrifices & unselfishness toward him while she was still on this earth. This realization made him dance for joy & gratefulness. Hence to this day, during the Obon Festival, ancestors are venerated, and people dance in the dark, warm, humid summer evenings in joy & gratefulness like Mokuren. I have two left feet so I had to opt out of the Obon dancing, but in order to help with the temple fund raising, I bought something that is very near and dear to my heart or should I say stomach. I ordered Yaki To-morokoshi or roasted corn on the cob. Being in California, not only was there the traditional Teriyaki sauce to glaze over the corn, you could butter it up and pour on powdered Parmesan cheese, or sprinkle on Pico de Gallo Chile powder mix, etc. The corn was fresh & sweet and tasted of summer. Also ordered their charcoal grilled beef Teriyaki which was quite good. The Teriyaki sauce had a strong taste of Sho-yu (soy sauce) with a touch of sugar & a soupcon of ginger. I tend to like complex flavours since being in California I am influenced by all sorts of cuisine like Korean & Mexican so at home I would whore my version of teriyaki with garlic, pureed jalapeno peppers & cilantro. But I can see my version would be a little too busy for some people. For dessert, we ordered the Japanese Shaved Ice known as Ko-ri. This variant is called Kintoki which is Azuki beans simmered with sugar for hours until the beans are sweet and soft. The sweetened Azuki beans are then poured over the soft, snowy ice. For added extra creaminess, I ordered condensed milk to be drizzled on top of the shaved ice. The Filipino crushed ice dessert drink called Halo Halo has similar cooked sweet beans that reminds me of azuki beans. By now the Bon Odori (dance) started and the dancers started to circle & dance in a counter-clockwise direction. We watched and hanged around until it became dark. Obon Festivals are relaxed, laid back family/friends events, and are a good excuse to meet people you haven't met for some time. It reminds me a little like Mexico where people do the Paseo around the town square meeting and talking with friends, relatives, lovers, etc. except Obon lasts only 3 days in Japan.

Came here for Obon festival, and it was lit!…read more The crowd was so much fun, there was plenty of food and dancing. The people were really fun, and the Temple's grounds were spacious. Highly recommend!

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.