The Lunar New Year celebration was somber at the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights on Monday. The monks paid homage to the Buddhas with a Thousand Buddhas Ceremony.

Special Dharma functions were held to pray for world peace, blessings and good luck in the new year.

The largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere was decorated with peace lanterns sponsored by many families. Families also lit candles and incense to honor their ancestors.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story Dragon.