Religious leaders from various faiths in Southern California came together to pray for peace in the temple’s Main Shrine Saturday morning, January 9. Abbot Venerable Hui Chi led distinguished guests such as Fr. Alexei Smith of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dr. Ahmad Sakr from the Islamic Education Center, Bishop Edward Turner of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Executive Clergy Council, Venerable Phrakhru Sumondhammavong from Wat Thai, and Venerable M. Pannaloka of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California to pray for peace. Each offered a prayer from his tradition and spoke on the need to find solutions to the current world situation.

Special guest Ms. Perla Hernandez from the office of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano presented the Abbot with a congressional recognition for the temple’s efforts in working for peace. The Secretary-General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Mr. Chung-Cheng Kung, was on hand to offer his message for peace. Attended by more than 200 people, the audience was treated to performances of songs, dance, oboe music, and a finale of a Chinese drum piece as homage to peace by members of the various participating organizations.

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