Eugene Chiang (second from the right) from Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Temple uses LEGO bricks to relocate Hsi Lai temple from Los Angeles to San Diego, 100 miles away! photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Ching Pan
February 16, 2024

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Hsi Fang Temple volunteer, Eugene Chiang using LEGO to move the FGS Hsi Lai Temple from Los Angeles to San Diego, 100 miles away! Following his Hsi Fang Temple LEGO works being exhibited for two consecutive years at the Lunar New Year exhibition and receiving rave reviews for being invited to participate in "Brick Fest Live." Eugene Chiang's latest creation—Hsi Lai Temple—will debut at the Hsi Fang Temple's 2024 Lunar New Year special exhibition, where the two temples meet in San Diego, shining with Buddha’s light.

Eugene Chiang's latest creation – Hsi Lai Temple - will be showcased at the 2024 Chinese New Year Special Exhibition at Hsi Fang Temple. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Incense burner in front of the main shrine of Hsi Lai Temple. The model features dragon heads on both sides and a stacked incense burner top, faithfully replicating the physical structure. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Venerable Miaozang, the superintendent of Hsi Fang Temple, commended Eugene Chiang for not only creating LEGO works for the temple but also for utilizing his expertise as a software engineer to develop sales statistics software for the temple's Buddhist Cultural Center. His patience and meticulous dedication can be considered that of a Bodhisattva.

"I hope to use LEGO as a ‘skillful means’ to ignite people's interest in Humanistic Buddhism," Eugene Chiang emphasized. His LEGO display at Hsi Fang Temple's Lunar New Year exhibition in previous years has connected with many people, bringing him boundless joy. In the process of creating Hsi Lai Temple, he visited the temple twice, not only to better understand the FGS Philosophy but also to learn about the features of Hsi Lai Temple, such as the eighteen arhats at the "Arhat Garden" site and the four Heavenly Kings at the "Avalokitesvara Garden" site. This year's exhibition is themed around the Lunar New Year of 2024, the Year of the Dragon, with Venerable Master Hsing Yun's New Year’s greeting— "May You Be Free as Cloud and Water, Auspicious and Joyful."

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: "Auspicious Dragon Bestowing Blessings" themed lamp. When Eugene Chiang crafts the model, the physical dragon hadn't been installed yet, so he relies on his imagination to create a lifelike representation. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Wishing tree. The miniature figures under the model are also depicted in the act of throwing wishing ribbons. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Arhat Garden. The model showcases different postures of the Arhats, including crossed legs, dangling legs, relaxed sitting, and miniature figures throwing coins to ring the bell. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Eugene Chiang said that Hsi Lai Temple, which covers an actual area of 15 acres, is filled with a lot of features and details. The "temple construction project" of the past year has been full of challenges. He has built LEGO works covering a total area of 16 square feet and is expected to undergo another two years of expansion. The completed total area will be 56 square feet, making it his largest LEGO work.

"Let us celebrate the Lunar New Year with LEGO characters at Hsi Lai Temple!" Eugene exclaimed. He designed the itinerary, which includes a leisurely stroll along the “Way to Buddhahood” (Courtyard) to participate in the “Auspicious Dragon Offering” ceremony, marveling at the glowing “Peace Lanterns”, making wishes under the Wishing Tree, followed by tea tasting and book shopping at the Water Drop Teahouse (Tea Room) and bookstore.

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Avalokitesvara Garden. The model's Four Heavenly Kings each hold different Dharma instruments. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Auditorium. Buddha statue, clouds, lotus flowers, and Dharma wheels are all meticulously recreated in LEGO. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Visitors can then explore the Art Gallery, indulge in the unique Taiwanese snack “Wheel Cakes” exclusive to Hsi Lai Temple, and proceed to the “Arhat Garden” to toss coins and ring the bell, ushering in good omens for the New Year. In the “Arhat Garden” site, the postures of the Arhats vary, while the Four Heavenly Kings in the “Avalokitesvara Garden” site hold different Dharma instruments, both features meticulously executed. The architecture on both sides can be unfolded, with the upper levels housing the Auditorium and Conference Room, and the lower levels featuring the Assembly Hall and Meeting Room. Inside, there are Buddha statues, bells, seats, microphones, audio equipment, tea sets, and other details. When tired, visitors can even ride the truly functional elevators that move up and down.

LEGO model details: (Top left) Drum, (Top right) Sound equipment in the Auditorium, (Bottom left) Desktop microphone in the Conference Room, (Bottom right) Functional elevator that moves up and down. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

LEGO model details: (Top) Purchase Taiwanese snacks exclusive in Hsi Lai Temple, the "wheel cakes"!  (Bottom) Water Drop Teahouse (Tea Room) and bookstore. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

When Eugene Chiang visited Hsi Lai Temple, he unexpectedly encountered the volunteer guiding Venerable Miaohuang. Having read about Eugene Chiang's LEGO works in The Merit Times newspaper, Venerable Miaohuang highly praised his dedication to propagating the Dharma through art, saying, "Thank you, Eugene Chiang, for creating Hsi Lai Temple LEGO. I admire Hsi Fang Temple's Lunar New Year special exhibition featuring this LEGO highlight, and I eagerly anticipate the Hsi Lai Temple LEGO 'coming home' to be exhibited at Hsi Lai Temple."

LEGO model details, as if entering a miniature world! photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: Clouds & Water dragon at Hsi Fang Temple. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Side-by-side comparison of the physical entity and the LEGO model: In the model, volunteers stand at the entrance of Hsi Fang Temple, wearing the temple's purple Polo T-shirts, welcoming visitors. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

佛光山西方寺蔣雨青（Eugene Chiang）用樂高把位於洛杉磯的佛光山西來寺，搬到100英里外的聖地牙哥了。繼他的西方寺樂高作品連續2年在春節展覽，及受邀參展「樂高嘉年華」（Brick Fest Live）獲得好評，蔣雨青的最新創作—西來寺，將在西方寺2024春節特展亮相，西方西來雙西樂高，同在聖地牙哥綻放佛光。

西方寺監寺妙藏法師讚許蔣雨青除了創作西方寺樂高，接引社區民眾，也發揮軟體工程師專長，默默為西方寺佛教文物中心建立銷售統計軟體，耐心又細心的付出，堪為人間菩薩。

「我希望能用『樂高方便法門』引發人們對人間佛教的興趣。」蔣雨青強調，他在西方寺往年的春節展覽以樂高作品與眾結緣，獲得無限法喜。此次為創作西來寺，參訪西來寺2次做足功課，除了更理解佛光山宗風，並學習到西來寺「靈山勝境」景點的十八羅漢聖者、「慈航普渡」景點的四大天王，還有西來寺整體鳥瞰為一片菩提葉等特色，今年的展出以2024甲辰龍年春節，佛光山開山祖師星雲大師的新春祝福「雲水自在．祥和歡喜」為主題。

蔣雨青表示，實際佔地15英畝的西來寺充滿特色與細節，這一年來的「建寺工程」充滿挑戰，建造了總面積16平方英呎的樂高作品，預計再經過2年增建，完工總面積將是56平方英呎，成為他最大的樂高作品。

靈山勝境裡的羅漢聖者姿態各異，另一個景點「慈航普渡」裡的四大天王各持不同法器，蔣雨青把這兩個特點都做到位。兩側的建築都可以展開，上層是法堂、會堂；下層有海會堂、香雲堂，內有佛像、鐘鼓、座位、麥克風、音響設備、茶具等細節，訪客走累了還可搭乘真的能上下移動的電梯。

在蔣雨青參訪西來寺時，與義工組輔導法師妙皇法師不期而遇，妙皇法師表示讀過《福報》報導蔣雨青的西方寺樂高作品，他高度肯定蔣雨青以藝術弘法的用心，並表示：「謝謝蔣雨青拼出西來寺，真羨慕西方寺的春節特展有此樂高增加亮點，也期待西來寺樂高『回家』，來到西來寺展出。」