'Dharma Day' at Hsi Lai Temple, LA (1/26)

Serving laba porridge to awaken the Buddha

On Dharma Day, Mahayana Buddhism, which prefers ahistorical Cosmic Buddhas like Amitabha, commemorates the historical Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment and awakening to perfect wisdom. (Theravada Buddhism has a Dhamma Day called Asalha Puja).

• Laba Festival: Congee Porridge Day
• Buddhism in Taiwan (which is not China)

Thanks to a shepherdess (Sujatha) offering him rice porridge, the wandering ascetic Siddhartha regained enough strength to focus on his cultivation, developing the absorptions then insight, purifying calm followed by contemplation (of Dependent Origination). That is how he became the Buddha, the "Awakened One," the supremely "Enlightened One."

 

Ever since then, Buddhists have celebrated the Buddha's Enlightenment Day by offering laba porridge to all.

WHERE?

• Location: Hsi Lai Temple (MAP)
• 3456 S. Glenmark Dr. (Hacienda Blvd.)
• Hacienda Heights, LA, CA 91745

𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 (𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲) Laba Porridge — dine in

• Opening hours: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 (𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁) laba porridge — to go

• Opening hours: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

1. Everyone is welcome to enjoy laba porridge in the Hsi Lai Dining Hall for FREE. No vegetarian buffet will be provided on this day.

2. For to go orders, cups of laba porridge will be prepared.

• INFO: Dharma Day 2026 at Hsi Lai Temple, LA

Eating, regaining his strength, he awakened.

The Dharma (the Teachings of the Buddha) are one facet of the Three Gems (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), a core aspect of Buddhism. Through this Dharma Day event, we celebrate the Buddha’s Teachings and their impact on our lives.

This day also commemorates the awakening of an Shakyian [Scythian] prince who renounced the world and what transformed him into the Buddha, "the Awakened One" (Shakyamuni, the "Sage of the Shakyas" [or Sakas, Indo-Scythians]).

Cosmic Buddha worshiped in Mahayana

Please join Hsi Lai ("Going West"), the largest Buddhist temple in the Western hemisphere, for a celebration of Buddhist wisdom taught by Buddhism's original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha, and the other teachers who followed after being inspired by him.

Enjoy special presentations, lectures, and theatrical performances, focusing on new understandings, real-world applications, and deeper explorations of the Buddha's teachings of compassion, service to others, and spiritual practice that have blossomed in the world.

Students of Hsi Lai's Buddhism classes are encouraged to apply for time to present what they have learned and gained from following Buddhist teachings: Hsi Lai Temple

• WHAT HAPPENED AT THE RETREAT? Fifty to 60 participants gathered at 8:30 am, registered, offered dana, received instructions, and began to sit.

Hsi Lai Temple One-Day Meditation Retreat, January 24, 2026

Let us cultivate together. Open to all.

The One-day Buddhist Meditation Retreat is intended to be a retreat for those who have at least a basic experience of meditation. This retreat features a regimented schedule of sitting, standing, and walking meditation with instructions and Dharma talks.

Please note that sitting sessions are 40 minutes long. It is recommended that applicants start working on lower body flexibility, especially the hips.

Vegetarian/vegan monastic cuisine served in cafeteria (Hsi Lai Temple)

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RETREAT DETAILS: ◎ Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026. ◎ Check-in: 8:45 am-9:25 am. (Please be punctual. Orientation begins promptly at 10:00 am) ◎ Time: 9:30 am-5:30 pm PT ◎ Ages: 16 years and older. ◎ Location: Hsi Lai Temple (MAP)

COST?  ◎ OPEN DONATION: We welcome kind donations to cover meal, snacks, facility use, uniform cleaning, and general overhead. Kindly bring donation to check-in on Jan. 24, 2026. ◎ Spots are limited to 50 participants. ◎ This is an in-person retreat: hsilai.us/events/dharma-services/saturday-english-dharma-service

• Hsi Lai Temple, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles
• Hsi Lai Temple Dharma Services