Buddhist Relics Inspire Belief at California Temple

Tooth and finger bone relics believed to belong to Buddha draw devotees to Wei Mountain Temple

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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At the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, California, a collection of what are believed to be relics of the Buddha, including teeth and finger bones, are publicly displayed every Lunar New Year. The relics are seen by Buddhists as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, though their authenticity is sometimes questioned.

Why it matters

The display of Buddhist relics at the temple highlights the spiritual significance they hold for many Buddhists, even as some teachers try to shift the focus to the Buddha's teachings on mindfulness and kindness. The relics are seen as connecting devotees to the Buddha himself, though there have been many reports of fake relics flooding markets.

The details

The Wei Mountain Temple's collection prominently features bones and teeth believed to have come from the bodies of the Buddha, his relatives, and disciples. It also includes numerous 'shariras' - colorful pearl- or crystal-like objects said to have been culled from the cremated ashes of Buddhist masters and the Buddha. The temple's founder, Master YongHua, says he has witnessed the relics multiplying and exhibiting supernatural qualities over the years.

  • The Wei Mountain Temple publicly displays the '10,000 Buddha Relics' every Lunar New Year.
  • The relics were donated to the Rosemead temple about 14 years ago by a collector.

The players

Wei Mountain Temple

A Buddhist temple in Rosemead, California that publicly displays a collection of what are believed to be relics of the Buddha.

Master YongHua

The founder of the Wei Mountain Temple who says he has witnessed the relics multiplying and exhibiting supernatural qualities.

Katherine Nguyen

A Buddhist who stood with hands folded and head bowed at the altar of the Wei Mountain Temple to view the relics.

John Strong

A professor emeritus of religion at Bates College who wrote the book 'Relics of the Buddha' in 2004.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa

A Tibetan monk and educator who believes he witnessed his teacher generate relics during cremation.

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What they’re saying

“To be able to see the Buddha, to get close to him and feel the energy — it's very special for a Buddhist.”

— Katherine Nguyen

“I have seen them multiply with my own eyes. They move on their own, they levitate. … I've seen people get cured of various ailments just by being in their presence.”

— Master YongHua, Founder, Wei Mountain Temple

“I'd never seen anything like that in my life. It was truly a miracle.”

— Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Tibetan Monk and Educator

What’s next

The Wei Mountain Temple will enshrine the ashes containing relics of its founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, during a ceremony on March 21.

The takeaway

The display of Buddhist relics at the Wei Mountain Temple highlights the deep spiritual significance they hold for many devotees, even as some teachers try to shift the focus to the Buddha's teachings on mindfulness and kindness. The authenticity of these relics is often unquestioned, though there have been reports of fakes flooding the market.