Been seeing this all over social media so I decided to check it out! Once you arrive, you need to…read moreexchange your cash into tokens which you then use to pay for food. Was definitely surprised by the quality and how much food you get for the price you pay for. For $40, I was able to get 2 drinks (Thai tea and Thai coffee), 2 entrees (pad Thai; Chinese broccoli and crispy pork belly over rice), 4 pork belly skewers, and mango sticky rice. Overall, was amazed by the experience and food here!

I've been going to the Wat Thai for years since I was a kid and it's incredible to see how much…read moretraffic and growth has occurred in recent years, largely due to a numer of reasons like the food court area and the tourism to Thailand. There is a lot of good food for very reasonable prices. I usually go to pray at the temple and then we head over to the food area. And on weekends, it can be super crowded. You exchange your dollars for tokens as the vendors don't accept cash. There is all the Thai staples like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and even Thai tea. Do note that parking can also get very crowded on weekends. So I park in the surrounding area. Cheers to the Wat Thai, as I hope there maybe we can be renovations to help with the upkeeping.

This temple was founded over 100 years back by Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans. This is…read morea historical gem in the valley! Members of the Hongwanji Buddhist temple are welcoming, friendly, and caring including their Reverend (a woman!) who recently retired. Currently we have two amazing assistant ministers during this transition. When I first arrived as a new person attending service with my partner's family, I felt welcomed and supported to learn service rituals which I was not not accustomed to. The best part of this temple are the people. As a collective working together, this multigenerational community make weekly service and member events possible every year. The Dharma here feels relevant to what is happening in the world and one can always join service as a guest without being a member yet, in person, or online. If looking for a non judgmental spiritual community, this is one in the valley.

This is a warm and welcoming community that has become a second home for me. It may seem a bit…read moreintimidating to begin coming, since the congregation is very tight knit, but the people are kind and the minister is incredibly compassionate. There is a weekend discussion group, which is how I first got to know the temple and its members, as well as Sunday services. The reverend's dharma talks (sermons) are always very applicable to daily life and help me try to be more mindful. Members are assigned to a volunteer group and each month the groups rotate in taking responsibilities around the temple (e.g., tidying up, prepping meals for lunch after a special service). It's not compulsory, but volunteering is a way to feel a part of the community and take ownership of the temple. There are also multiple groups for young people and in general, it's a very family friendly space. The temple also has an extensive library with holdings that range from scholarly texts to books for "nightstand" Buddhists to children's books. A Buddhist education committee also sponsors a variety of guest speakers and seminars who provide different perspectives on the dharma. Perhaps the temple is best known in the larger community for the annual Obon festival, held at the adjacent Japanese American Community Center in summertime. It's always a joyous occasion with plenty of food and activities (dancing, taiko drumming, bingo, a Japanese flea market, and other carnival games). During wintertime everyone pitches in for the annual mochi (rice cake) making. While generations of families have built and maintained the temple, nevertheless it really feels welcoming and it's always nice to see the communal spirit.

My mom wanted to do a good luck prayer for the LUNAR NEW YEAR so I searched on Yelp for the nearest…read moretemple to us and found Hsi Lai Temple!... FIRST OF ALL: WOW!! What a gorgeous and magnificent temple this is!! It has about 2 floors of parking and the temple also has additional floors to go up as well. So be expected to walk up quite a few amounts of stairs!! FIRST FLOOR: We did a prayer with a donation and it came with some apples and other assortments in a red gift bag. The red gift bag required a donation of $20 per bag so me and my mom bought 2. Then, their were some nice ladies there who helped guide is on what to do. We prayed in front of 5 statues and posted the red gift bags in the middle... SECOND FLOOR: This is where we can do another prayer with 1 incense. And this is also where the restrooms were as well so make sure you don't back down to the first floor because the RESTROOMS are on the second floor!!! PARKING: Plenty of parking. There are 2 floors available for parking!! This temple really transported us to another country!! It was also very peaceful and quiet!! SATU HSI LAI TEMPLE!!!

Hsi Lai Temple (completed in 1988) is one of the largest Buddhist temples in North America. During…read moreeach Lunar New Year, the temple transforms into a festive spot with cute decors. Many visitors from across Southern California have a tradition of visiting within the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year as this period is still considered a part of the holiday celebration. [Lunar New Year Food Fair]: Each year, the temple sets up a food fair and this year the fair happened on the 1st, 5th, and 6th days of the Lunar New Year. Always check the website for the dates the temple sets up the food fair. All dishes are 100% vegetarian. Booths were selling fa gao (Chinese steamed cake), nian gao (steamed rice cake), turnip cake, boba milk tea, and even Girl Scout cookies. [Parking]: Under normal circumstances, there is free onsite parking at the temple; however, do NOT bother trying to park at the temple on days when shuttle service is available as visitors will be redirected to a shuttle parking lot. Temporary off-site parking and shuttle buses were located at Puente Hills Mall near Round1. Check the website for shuttle service dates. This year the shuttle service was offered on the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 12th days of the Lunar New Year. The shuttle service operated from 8 AM to 5 PM. There were two types of shuttles - big buses dropped off at the street level so guests needed to walk up to the temple while small shuttles dropped off in front of the Bodhisattva Hall. [Other experience outside of food fair]: There were booths selling cute zodiac charms. Most visitors come here to do the following acitivities (1) ring the Peace Bell, (2) view art gallery exhibitions like calligraphy, (3) attend Dharma services, (4) participate in the Light Offering Ceremony on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, (5) enjoy cultural performances on the 1st day of the Lunar New Year, (6) drink free hot teas at the information center, (7) throw pennies and try to hit a bell at the Arhat Garden, and (8) throw golden medallions with red ribbons at the tree. Visitors can go behind the Bodhisattva Hall to stop by the Main Shrine. At the Main Shrine, visitors can get free incense, pray & bow to Buddhas, and place it in the giant incense burner. Visitors can also purchase light offerings for $120 per person as well as other offering items at tables near the giant incense burner. [Photo]: Outdoors ONLY. [Prohibits]: No meat, fish, poultry, alcoholic beverages, smoking and vaping (e-cigarette), any use of marijuana, bicycles, rollerblading, skateboarding, pets (except certified service animals), and drone planes. [Dress code - preferred]: Shirts with sleeves (male and female), no tank tops, shorts, short skirts/dresses, flip-flops, or slippers. [Conclusion]: The temple offers one of the most comprehensive Lunar New Year food experiences in the entire Southern California. This is also one of the most festive places in Southern California during Lunar New Year. Highly recommend to stop by here at least once to experience the celebration. P.S. - The temple has a really good vegetarian lunch buffet.

Peaceful place! Having Reiki Sound Bath there is a wonderful experience. I love the community!read more

Great place The teachers are very compassionate, and the community share their resources.read more

Whether you're a strong believer or a meditation novice this meditation center is for you…read more Everyone's guilty of being so busy with school, work, or kids or sometimes all three we forget to do simple things, like breathe. Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center helps you take a second to get back what is rightfully yours- some peace. They are small in size but big on passion. The Center has a calming atmosphere as soon as you walk in, and the staff there is no different. They hold mala bead workshops about every 6 months and they are a great way to learn more, practice patience, and bond with family and friends. Their meditation classes are settling for the busy mind, and healthy for the burdened soul.

I found this place doing an internet search for Meditation classes. They offer many different times…read morefor Guided Mediation classes that work well for anyone's schedule. The temple has a welcoming atmosphere and a great selection in their book store. The teacher was very soft spoken and inspiring. She gave us insight on why we should mediate and it's benefits. She guided us through our meditation and made it easy for us to follow. I'm glad I came here and look forward to my next visit.

Thank you to the fellow Yelper who posted in the Events section about the 2017 Obon Festival…read morehappening today! Had it not been for you, I would've missed out yet again. For some reason, I always hear ahead of time about the Obon in the San Fernando Valley, but never get wind of the Oxnard Obon until after it's already passed. This year's festival offerings included the following goodies: Chili Hot dogs Japanese curry with rice Deep-fried gyoza Udon noodles Chicken teriyaki Beef teriyaki Assorted pastries Snow cones This is a wonderful family-friendly event hosted by the Buddhist temple that is OPEN TO EVERYONE!! Note that it is quite a bit smaller than some of the other Obon Festivals in SoCal. Free admission with lots of food, games, taiko drum performances, raffles, bonsai exhibits, and Japanese dancing. Make sure to bring cash. Location is on the corner of "H" and 2nd St. Plenty of street parking in front of the church and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

This is a review for there Obon festival that was being held on July 11th 2015…read more It's a wonderful festival that raises money for the temple. They serve homemade sushi and manju. They also have the most amazing teriyaki beef, chicken, udon noodles and gyoza. They have sno cones for the kids. They sell fresh produce and have a raffle for gifts. They have a small display of bonsai trees and do a demonstration on how to make your own bonsai. They have traditional Japanese dance demonstrations too. They have a beautiful drum exhibition and dance choreography with everyone dressed in traditional clothing. They have games for the kids. Great fun for the whole family. Bring a hat or umbrella because there isn't much shade and it can get quite hot.

Nice temple! There's some parking on their lot as well as the street. Staff can speak English and…read moreVietnamese. They have events for Chinese new year.

Absolutely beautiful temple, and this one was welcoming to visitors. I did not feel like an…read moreoutsider here. The people who were here taking care of the place smiled at me and did not hover over me as I looked around. I took photos but I also tried to be respectful, and I said my thank yous to their gods. This place did smell very strong of incense, but was so gorgeous inside and out. They also had a restroom! ALSO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WITH RAMPS!!!

I attended a funeral service for my patient. The outside really didn't look like much but was…read morereally impressed when I went into the ceremony area. Beautiful. Clean. Nicely decorated. A place of serenity. The meeting hall or food hall across the Temple was also spacious and clean. I greatly enjoyed my Patients service at this location. *bathrooms are nicely maintained :)

I can't say enough good things about the Orange County Buddhist Temple. I came here looking for…read morepeace and found something even more meaningful -- a real community. Everyone here is welcoming, down-to-earth, and genuinely cares about helping one another grow. What makes this temple special is that it's not just about rituals or lectures -- it's about people. The temple creates a space where anyone, especially younger generations, can slow down, reconnect, and find balance in a busy world. Whether you're curious about Buddhism, exploring mindfulness, or just need a place that feels like home, this is it. The gatherings are warm and inclusive, the teachings are practical, and the energy is uplifting. I've met friends here who inspire me to live with more compassion, gratitude, and authenticity every day. If you've been looking for community, meaning, or simply a place where you can be yourself and feel supported -- come here. You'll walk away lighter, calmer, and more connected than you ever expected.

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!

Excellent community street fair! The dancing, food , music and everything is so much fun! I highly…read morerecommend checking this out next July.

Came here last night for the annual Obon festival what they do is block the side street next to the…read moreTemple for the traditional Obon dances. The parking lot for the Temple has booths set up with traditional foods and games mini carnival style. Of course the food lines were long and some booths actually ran out of food for the night. Saturday it goes from 4 to 10pm and Sun 3 to 9pm. One thing is parking is really bad here cause it's street parking and some areas have limited metered parking also they are using a parking structure about a block away but that fills up fast too and it can get messy in there. Other than parking this festival is a nice time to bring family and friends and enjoy the Japanese traditional Obon dances and foods. Summer time is the time of Obon festivals all over LA and OC you can see the schedules at http://buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/2015-obon-bazaar-schedule/