Hsi Lai Temple Partners with Healthcare Organizations to Bring Compassionate Care to the Community
Report By Kuo Chao-Hua, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA
On April 11, 2026, Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple, University of the West (UWest), the UCLA Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association Healthcare Program, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health jointly hosted the 2026 Community Free Health Consultation Fair. Guided by Humanistic Buddhism’s principle of “benefiting society through charitable service,” the event provided meaningful healthcare resources and support to local residents.
The health fair brought together a wide range of medical and social service organizations throughout Southern California, including the University of Southern California (USC), AltaMed PACE, Keiro, Japanese Community Health Care Center, Chinatown Service Center (CSC), HCHC, Pacific Los Angeles Medical Center, California Department of Mental Health, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), and the Mary S. Easton Center. More than 130 healthcare professionals and volunteers worked together to provide free health screenings and consultations to nearly 100 community members.
Services offered included blood glucose and liver function testing, distribution of COVID-19 rapid test kits, dental cleanings, simple tooth extractions, and basic dental restorations. In addition, mental health consultations, Alzheimer’s disease support services, Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness consultations, and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training were available, addressing both physical and mental well-being.
During the opening ceremony, Hsi Lai Temple Abbot Venerable Hui Dong remarked that community health fairs represent more than medical services—they are a manifestation of compassion in action. He noted that the event has been sustained through years of collaboration, creating bonds among participating organizations that feel like family. He expressed gratitude to the UCLA APA Healthcare Program and its students for their dedication to serving the community. Venerable Hui Dong emphasized that helping others through professional expertise is a way to cultivate altruism and encouraged everyone to maintain a spirit of compassion and concern for all beings, working together to build harmonious communities and contribute to world peace.
UWest President Dr. Ming-Hua Ta noted in her remarks that many individuals in the community still lack health insurance, presenting a significant challenge. In response to this need, Hsi Lai Temple and UWest have continued partnering to provide free medical services to underserved populations. Founded by Fo Guang Shan Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun, UWest is dedicated to expanding access to education and promoting the core values of compassion, character, and community. Through events such as this health fair, the university seeks to put these values into practice while inspiring students to give back to society. Dr. Ta concluded by thanking all participating organizations and inviting attendees to visit both UWest and Hsi Lai Temple in the future to further strengthen community connections.
The event mobilized nearly one hundred healthcare professionals and numerous medical resources. The BLIA Los Angeles Chapter, represented by the San Gabriel Valley I and II Subchapters, also recruited nearly 20 volunteers who assisted with venue setup, participant guidance, and event logistics, helping ensure the smooth operation of the health fair.
As the day’s services concluded and participants departed, the health fair came to a successful close. Organizers stated that they will continue offering similar programs in the future, integrating healthcare services with humanistic care to meet community needs and strengthen local connections.
Photo Captions (Photos 01–09 by Chang Chih-Cheng)
