A Serene Sunday at Hsi Lai Temple: Tranquility in the San Gabriel Valley

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of visiting Fo Guang Shan’s Hsi Lai Temple, a stunning Buddhist temple perched in the hills overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. The day couldn’t have been more perfect—clear blue skies, a bright but gentle sun, and a crisp cool breeze that made the morning feel refreshing. With such ideal weather, it was the perfect opportunity for a peaceful excursion to this magnificent temple.

Despite a tight parking situation, the temple grounds were relatively quiet, with only a light crowd of visitors exploring the space. This made for an even more immersive and introspective experience. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the majestic traditional Chinese architecture, its grand symmetry and ornate details standing as a testament to Buddhist artistry and devotion.

Opting for a self-guided tour, I took my time wandering through the temple, admiring its intricate art, meaningful artifacts, and serene courtyards. The Main Shrine, known as the Treasured Hall of the Great Hero, was particularly awe-inspiring. Inside, three revered Buddhas—Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha—stood at the altar, radiating an aura of peace and wisdom. Surrounding them, thousands of smaller Buddha statues lined the walls, each representing an individual’s devotion and the universal potential for enlightenment.

As I walked the temple grounds, I appreciated the stunning panoramic views of the San Gabriel Valley. The tranquil gardens, flowing fountains, and towering pagodas created an atmosphere of deep serenity, allowing visitors to truly disconnect from the outside world and find inner peace. The temple’s layout, modeled after Chinese imperial-style architecture, adds to its grandeur while maintaining an aura of simplicity and mindfulness.

The visit to Hsi Lai Temple was a refreshing and reflective way to spend a Sunday. Whether one comes for spiritual enlightenment, cultural appreciation, or simply to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, the temple offers something truly special. It serves as both a gateway to understanding Buddhist philosophy and a sanctuary for those seeking a moment of tranquility in their busy lives.

If you ever find yourself near Hacienda Heights, I highly recommend stopping by Hsi Lai Temple. Even if only for a short visit, its beauty, history, and serenity will leave a lasting impression.

A Testament to Resilience: My Visit to the San Gabriel Mission

Visiting the San Gabriel Mission was like stepping into a living chapter of California’s history. Founded in 1771, it is one of the most significant missions in the state, serving as a cornerstone for early Spanish settlement. The mission’s unique Moorish-inspired design, with its striking buttressed walls and arched corridors, makes it stand out among the California Missions. It played a crucial role in the region’s early development, introducing agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship while shaping the cultural interactions between Spanish missionaries and Indigenous peoples. Over the centuries, the mission witnessed the transition from Spanish rule to Mexican independence and ultimately to American governance, standing as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the communities it touched.

Restoration After the Fire

In 2020, tragedy struck when a fire ravaged the church’s interior, destroying the roof and causing extensive damage to the sanctuary. Walking through the newly restored space, I was amazed at how carefully historians and artisans recreated the original wooden beams, repainted the historic frescoes, and reinforced the structure while maintaining its historic integrity. The effort to bring the mission back to life was remarkable, and when it reopened in 2023, it stood not just as a restored building but as a powerful symbol of perseverance and dedication to preserving history.

Touring the Museum

One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the San Gabriel Mission Museum, which provided a deeper understanding of the mission’s history and the lives of those who lived and worked there. The museum’s artifacts, including handcrafted tools, religious relics, and beautifully preserved textiles, offered a glimpse into the daily life of the early mission era. One of the most fascinating exhibits discussed the transition from the mission system to the rancho system, which occurred after Mexico secularized the missions in the 1830s. The exhibit explained how the vast lands once controlled by the missions were redistributed, often to wealthy Mexican landowners, leading to the establishment of California’s iconic ranchos. It was eye-opening to see how this shift influenced the development of agriculture, trade, and land ownership in the state.

Walking through the gardens, with their centuries-old grapevines and tranquil fountains, I couldn’t help but appreciate how much history this mission holds. Despite fires, political changes, and the passage of time, the San Gabriel Mission remains a place of deep historical and spiritual significance, welcoming visitors to learn, reflect, and connect with California’s past.

Genesis and the Masonic Interpretation of Creation: Order from Chaos

Introduction The opening verses of Genesis establish a profound theological and philosophical framework for understanding creation, order, and enlightenment. Genesis 1:1–3 introduces key concepts such as time, divine omnipotence, creation ex nihilo, and the transformation from chaos to order. These ideas resonate deeply within Masonic thought, which emphasizes personal enlightenment, moral refinement, and the pursuit of order through discipline and wisdom. By analyzing the biblical text through a theological, symbolic, and Masonic lens, we uncover universal truths about the nature of existence and human transformation.

The Concept of Time and Divine Preexistence Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” The phrase “In the beginning” introduces the dimension of time, which, in Judeo-Christian theology, has a distinct commencement, marked by divine intentionality. Unlike Eastern philosophies that view time as cyclical, the biblical perspective presents a linear progression from chaos to order. The existence of God before time itself highlights His preexistence and omnipotence, emphasizing that divine will precedes all material reality.

For Freemasonry, the notion of time relates to the eternal quest for enlightenment. The candidate enters the lodge in darkness, symbolizing ignorance, before being guided toward the light of knowledge. This process mirrors the transition from pre-creation chaos to divine order, reinforcing the idea that enlightenment is a gradual and purposeful journey.

Creation Ex Nihilo and the Divine Architect The Hebrew term “bara” (בָּרָא) in Genesis 1:1 conveys the concept of creation ex nihilo—God’s ability to bring forth existence from nothingness. Unlike human craftsmen who reshape existing materials, the divine Creator manifests the cosmos purely through His will. This ultimate act of order from chaos parallels the Masonic principle of the Great Architect of the Universe, who designs and brings structure to both the physical and moral world.

Just as the speculative Mason works on the rough ashlar to shape it into a perfect form, Genesis describes a divine ordering of the primordial void. The Mason’s labor symbolizes the refinement of character and intellect, a process reflecting the divine creative act in Genesis.

The Chaotic Beginnings: Tehom and Darkness Genesis 1:2 presents the state of the unformed world: “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” The phrase “without form and void” (Tohu wa-bohu, תֹּהוּ וָבֹהוּ) signifies chaos, an unstructured and uninhabitable state. The term “Tehom” (תְּהוֹם), meaning “the deep,” represents the primordial abyss, a concept prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cosmology. Unlike Babylonian myths, where the deep waters are personified as a deity (e.g., Tiamat), Genesis depicts Tehom as a passive element awaiting divine order.

This symbolism aligns with Masonic teachings on personal transformation. Darkness, often associated with ignorance and moral blindness, reflects the uninitiated state of a Mason. Just as God’s Spirit moves upon the waters to impose divine order, the Mason must engage in self-discipline and enlightenment to bring structure to his life. The deep waters symbolize the subconscious, the unknown aspects of the self that must be navigated and refined.

The Role of the Divine Spirit in Creation The phrase “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Ruach Elohim, רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים) signifies divine presence and active involvement in creation. This movement implies purpose, direction, and transformation—qualities central to both theology and Freemasonry. In Christian theology, this moment foreshadows the role of Christ as the Logos (John 1:1-3), the divine reason bringing structure to the universe. Similarly, in Masonic thought, the movement of divine energy over chaos symbolizes the Mason’s journey from darkness to enlightenment, guided by wisdom and virtue.

The Separation of Light from Darkness: A Masonic Allegory Genesis 1:3 declares, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” This pronouncement marks the first act of divine order, separating light from darkness. The significance of light extends beyond the physical realm; it embodies knowledge, truth, and divine presence.

For Masons, the pursuit of light represents the pursuit of wisdom. The initiation ritual, where the candidate is brought from darkness into light, mirrors the biblical act of creation. Light symbolizes the revelation of truth, moral clarity, and intellectual awakening—core tenets of Masonic philosophy. Just as God’s command brings forth illumination, the Mason’s journey seeks to dispel ignorance and cultivate enlightenment.

Esoteric and Philosophical Connections The biblical motif of chaos preceding order aligns with various esoteric traditions. In Kabbalistic thought, the concept of Tohu (chaotic state) and Tikkun (rectification) reflects the transformation of disorder into harmony. Similarly, in alchemy, the phrase “solve et coagula” (dissolve and coagulate) describes the process of breaking down and refining elements to achieve perfection.

Philosophically, this mirrors Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, where individuals move from darkness (illusion) to the light of truth. In Masonic teachings, this journey corresponds to the refinement of character, the cultivation of wisdom, and the ultimate realization of the divine principles governing the cosmos.

Practical Lessons for the Mason The Genesis creation narrative serves as a profound allegory for the Mason’s personal and moral development. Just as God imposes order upon chaos, the Mason is called to bring structure to his own life. The rough ashlar, representing the unrefined self, must be shaped into the perfect ashlar through discipline, study, and virtue.

Furthermore, the act of divine speech (“God said”) emphasizes the power of words and intention. In Masonic ritual, verbal commitments and sacred oaths hold deep significance, reinforcing the idea that speech carries creative and transformative potential.

Conclusion The opening verses of Genesis provide a theological foundation that resonates deeply with Masonic teachings. The transition from chaos to order, the role of divine wisdom, and the pursuit of light all mirror the Masonic journey of enlightenment. By embracing these principles, Masons seek to transform themselves and society, fulfilling the divine imperative to bring order, wisdom, and virtue into the world. In doing so, they echo the very act of creation itself, embodying the eternal quest for truth and illumination.