Rev. Danny Fisher

I went to Hsi Lai Temple today with two colleagues who needed to take some pictures of the old campus of University of the West at the site.  My friends Corrine Hinton and Corinne Medina are on their way to Massachusetts this week for a conference, where Corrine will present a little bit about the university and its history as part of a paper she will deliver.  I tagged along to take some pictures of my own and enjoy lunch at the temple with the two of them.  (Corrine took this picture of me sitting in front of the Arhat Garden, which features representations of the assembly of eighteen arhats at Vulture Peak Mountain.)

Hsi Lai Temple, a traditional Chinese mountain temple in the Fo Guang Shan tradition of Taiwan, was founded by Grand Master Hsing Yun in 1988. It has a reputation as a standout among the many beautiful temples and centers in Buddhist America.  Located in Hacienda Heights, the temple has hosted such prestigious events as the 16th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and the 7th conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth.  I’ve previously blogged about the temple in this post.  (This picture  shows the “Path to Enlightenment” and the Main Shrine at Hsi Lai Temple.”

UWest began as “Hsi Lai University” on the ground level of the temple (pictured to the right) in 1991.  Before long, though, it outgrew the space and moved to its present location–the old campus of Biola University in Rosemead–in 1996.

It’s always nice to get over to the temple and reconnect a bit with the roots of the university.  I was really glad to be able to tag along with Corrine and Corinne–have a blast in Massachusetts, ladies!