The Xilai Temple in California, USA is located on the Haishan Mountain in Los Angeles. The temple faces south from north and is constructed with layered halls from the mountain gate to the temple top, arranged in a progressive and picturesque manner. The temple’s layout is in the shape of a pagoda, surrounded by beautiful scenery with lush greenery. The total building area of the temple is over 9,500 square meters, occupying a total area of more than 90 acres.
The mountain gate is an ancient-style Chinese glazed archway with four columns, three bays, and three floors. The front is inscribed with the six large characters “Fo Guang Shan Xi Lai Temple”. The two outer columns are inscribed with “The bodhisattva’s compassion envelops the countless worlds; the West spreads compassion and vows to save countless beings.” The two main building columns are inscribed with “The Buddha’s light shines over the three thousand realms in the East; the Dharma water from the West flows across the five continents.” It is evident that this couplet reveals the meaning of the temple’s name – “The Buddhist Dharma Comes from the West”. In Buddhism, making vows is a door to practice. Passing through the archway and looking back, there is a plaque on the shady side inscribed with the four characters “Four Great Vows”. On the four pillars, written from west to east, are the specific contents of the vows: “Vowing to liberate boundless sentient beings, vowing to exhaust inexhaustible afflictions, vowing to study immeasurable Dharma doors, vowing to accomplish the supreme Buddha Way.”
Facing the north side of the archway is the first major hall – the majestic Five Saints Hall. The hall enshrines five Bodhisattvas, from east to west, representing wisdom are Manjushri Bodhisattva, representing compassion is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, representing joy is Maitreya Bodhisattva, representing aspiration is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, representing practice is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Various offerings such as incense, flowers, lamps, paste, fruits, food, tea, pearls, jewels, and clothes are placed in front of the Bodhisattva statues.
In the southwest corner of the courtyard, there is a group of statues named “Sacred Land of Ling Mountain”. Eighteen Arhats are located on the “Ling Mountain”, sitting or standing, with various postures and vivid expressions. Similarly, in the southeast corner of the courtyard, there is another group of statues named “Mercy Flight for Universal Salvation”. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is seated atop a hill, with Sthavira Good Wealth and the Dragon Girl accompanying on both sides, holding the Four Heavenly Kings in respective positions around the water area, and the Four Sea Dragon Kings standing on the left and right, bowing to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The sculptures are vivid and lifelike.
Location of the Attraction: California, USA.
