Nestled within the serene residential area of Riverside, California, stands a sacred site of Buddhist devotion—the Buddha Jigong House of Enlightenment. This revered place of worship is the first overseas branch of Taiwan’s renowned Tamsui Xingtian Wusheng Temple. It has been officially registered and inaugurated as a non-profit religious organization in the United States since 2017. Master Xuan Wei, the temple's abbot, meticulously designed the temple with simplicity and purity in mind, forgoing grand opulence. Its blend of modern Western architecture and traditional Chinese solemnity radiates harmony, peace, and the warmth of home. Remarkably, this blessed site mirrors the geographical auspiciousness and fengshui of its mother temple in Taiwan, a testament to the temple’s rightful place as a pioneering representative of Buddha Jigong’s distinctive teachings in the United States.
The main deity enshrined at this temple is Buddha Jigong, also known as the 'Living Buddha,' a reincarnation of Zi Jing Arhat, known in the Song Dynasty (1149-1209) as Li Xiu Yuan. His dharma name, 'Dao Ji,' marks him as the 50th patriarch of the Zen (Chan) tradition. Born into nobility in Zhejiang, Buddha Jigong was exceptionally wise, skilled in literature and medicine, and known for his eccentricity—earning the nickname 'Crazy Ji.' Despite his quirks, his just and righteous acts have become legendary in China since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, he returns with boundless compassion to aid all beings, his teachings simple yet profound, emphasizing that true Buddhist practice is woven into everyday life.
Master Xuan Wei, the abbot, is a humble and wise figure with a master’s degree in Religious Studies from Fu Jen Catholic University. Ordained from a young age, his life reflects a deep mission to serve humanity with no ambition for fame. At nine, he received the divine connection to Buddha Jigong, empowering him to speak heavenly truths and aid countless lives.
Master Xuan Wei frequently travels to spread the Dharma and benefit sentient beings. His first trip to Los Angeles in 2012 planted the seeds of Buddha Jigong’s teachings in the Western world. After several successful Dharma assemblies, the disciples' eagerness to seek the truth became undeniable. With favorable conditions, the sacred temple grounds were found, and the Buddha Jigong House of Enlightenment was officially inaugurated on August 13, 2017—marking a heartfelt homecoming for all overseas devotees. Shortly after, a grand Dharma assembly was held at the Hilton in San Gabriel, where Master Xuan Wei's compassionate and heartfelt speech filled the room with immense spiritual energy, deeply moving all who were present. The month concluded with seven Dharma consultation services, which profoundly touched many new followers and brought hope and solace to countless families in need.
Just as a single flower blooms into five petals, we have established branches of the Tamsui Xingtian Wusheng Temple in Japan and the United States, known as the Buddha Jigong House of Enlightenment. In a world where luxury and excess are rampant and hearts of many have lost their purity, our growing community eagerly anticipates the completion of the "Xiang Tian Mountain • Long Yuan Temple" in Taiwan. This new temple will integrate religion, culture, education, and charity, creating a pure and inspiring space for nurturing future generations to come.
Buddha Jigong House of Enlightenment thrives through the devoted efforts of its disciples, who engage in monthly group practices such as sutra chanting, spiritual cultivation, and ritual cleansing of the grounds. The sanctuary is open to the public on these practice days as well as on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar. Offerings of light and prayers for blessings can be made, fostering both spiritual and worldly well-being. Inwardly, disciples cultivate the mind and elevate the self, while outwardly, they follow Buddha Jigong's vow to serve others with compassion and wisdom. With a diverse commitment, the temple extends its care to those in need, ensuring that Buddha Jigong’s Dharma wheel turns unceasingly and that the Bodhi flowers continue to blossom across the world.