Buddhist Relics Inspire Belief in Southern California

Teeth, finger bones, and colorful crystals draw devotees to temple

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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At the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, California, Buddhist relics believed to belong to the Buddha and his disciples are publicly displayed every Lunar New Year. These relics, including teeth, finger bones, and multicolored crystals, are seen by devotees as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities. While the authenticity of some relics has been questioned, the temple's founder says he has witnessed the relics multiplying and moving on their own, inspiring faith in those who come to see them.

Why it matters

Belief in Buddhist relics is a matter of deep spiritual significance, connecting followers to the Buddha himself. However, the proliferation of fake relics has raised concerns, even as many temples and monasteries avoid subjecting the relics to scientific testing out of fear it could strip them of their extraordinary qualities.

The details

The Wei Mountain Temple's collection prominently features bones and teeth believed to have come from 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. The temple's founder, Master YongHua, says the relics have 'grown' over the years and that the tooth relic produces 'baby shariras' that have multiplied to fill several containers.

  • The Wei Mountain Temple publicly displays the '10,000 Buddha Relics' every Lunar New Year.
  • The temple received the relics as a donation about 14 years ago from a collector.

The players

Katherine Nguyen

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

Master YongHua

The founder of the Wei Mountain Temple, who says he has witnessed the relics multiplying and moving on their own, inspiring faith in those who view them.

John Strong

A professor emeritus of religion at Bates College who wrote the book 'Relics of the Buddha' in 2004, providing historical context on the significance of Buddhist relics.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa

A Tibetan monk and educator who believes he witnessed his teacher, Geshe Lama Konchog, generate relics as his body was being cremated.

Venerable Hui Ze

A representative of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order in Southern California, who explains that their founder emphasized Humanistic Buddhism over a sole focus on relics.

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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 (newser.com)

“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 (newser.com)

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

— Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Tibetan Monk and Educator (newser.com)

“Our venerable master emphasized Humanistic Buddhism — how we can bring Buddha's teachings into our daily lives with good thoughts, words and actions. He instructed us that relics should not distract us from the path to liberation.”

— Venerable Hui Ze, Representative, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order (newser.com)

“I had this really intimate experience and felt like I had connected with the Buddha who was here 2,600 years ago, and that connection is priceless.”

— Venerable Hui Ze, Representative, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order (newser.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This story highlights the deep spiritual significance of Buddhist relics for many devotees, even as some teachers emphasize focusing on the Buddha's teachings over a sole fixation on physical objects. The proliferation of fake relics has raised concerns, but the belief in their miraculous qualities remains strong in many Buddhist communities.