Mazu's Consorts

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 29, 2015.)

Mazu's consorts at the Tianhou Temple in Chiwan, Shenzhen

One of the most popular folk figures in South China and its environs is Mazu, goddess of the sea. She is also popularly called "Tianhou" or "Empress of Heaven," a title given by the "Central Board of Rites" in 1720.

The Red-Faced Guan Yu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 6, 2015.)

Guan Yu (center) and his sworn friends at Guan Di Temple, Shenzhen

Even if you've never visited a temple, you may have encountered a red-faced military figure with a long, side-swept black beard. He's commonly seen in shops and restaurants, as well as in different kinds of temples--Buddhist, Taoist, and folk.

Buddhas of the Three Times

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 20, 2015.)

Buddhas of the Three Times at Liurong Temple, Guangzhou

The main hall of some temples is called the "Precious Hall of the Great Hero," which refers to Shakyamuni, the historic Buddha. He is usually seated with figures on either side of him--bodhisattvas, or other Buddhas.

Puxian's Elephant

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 10, 2015.)

A statue of Puxian and his elephant at Hongyuan Temple, Shiyan, Shenzhen

When visiting a Buddhist temple's main hall, you may notice a rather unusual creature.

Tu Di Gong, "the Earth God"

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 8, 2015.)

A Tu Di Gong platform under a tree in Nanshan, Shenzhen, Guangdong

One of the most ubiquitous--yet often unnoticed--of all deities is the so-called "Earth God," known in Chinese as Tu Di Gong (土地公).

The Three Star Gods: Fu, Lu, and Shou

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 21, 2015.)

Fu, Lu, and Shou (R to L) at San Yuan Gong, Guangzhou

You might see three strange-looking men on a table somewhere in a Daoist folk temple, or they may be painted on a wall. One looks like a scholar; another wears the headpiece of a high government official; and the third has an oddly bulging forehead. These are the three deities known together as "Fu Lu Shou," said to be the earthly manifestations of three "stars" (one is actually a planet) and representing aspects of a good life.

The Five Immortals and Five Rams of Guangzhou

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 28, 2015.)

The Five Rams Statue in Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou

At the heart of Guangzhou's Yuexiu Park stands a statue of five goats or rams. The story goes like this:

Temple Roof Ornaments

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 5, 2015.)

Roof ornaments at Hongyuan Temple, Shiyan, Shenzhen

Many temples feature whimsical characters on the ridges at each corner of the roof. These figures, like the yellow color of the roofs themselves, were generally reserved for imperial buildings, or for those who had obtained imperial permission.

The Tiger and the Dragon

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 12, 2015.)

Tiger and Dragon at the Tian Hou Temple in Sungang Village

In some temples, tigers and dragons are seen paired together, bringing to mind the title of the Academy Award-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). They represent the two aspects of the Dao--that ancient Chinese concept of "the way things are"--called Yin and Yang.

The Pagoda and the Body of the Buddha

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 19, 2015.)

The "Flowery Pagoda" at Liurong Temple, Guangzhou

The traditional building called the "pagoda" dates back to Buddhism's early days in India, where remains of the historical Buddha (and other significant figures) were placed in earthen mounds with a series of stylized concentric umbrellas on top, all on a single pole. (The umbrella was a symbol of royalty.)

The Door Gods

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 2, 2015.)

Door God statues at the Tian Hou Temple in Dapeng Fortress

Many Dao or folk temples feature a couple of fearsome warriors on their doors, placed there to keep out evil-doers. Although they're usually seen painted directly on the doors, or sometimes in the form of posters pasted on the doors, it is not uncommon to see statues of the Door Gods as well, similar to the statues of generals Heng and Ha at Buddhist temples.

Ananda and Kashyapa

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 22, 2016.)

Ananda and Kashyapa flank the Buddha at Hongyuan Temple, Shenzhen

When the Buddha is on a temple's main altar, there are often two seated figures of similar size on either side. These may be other Buddhas, or various bodhisattvas.

Discarded Deities

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 21, 2016.)

Discarded statues in the gate at Tian Hou Palace, Chiwan, Shenzhen

After visiting the main halls, strolling the garden paths, or dining in the refectory--all popular activities--some temple visitors like to poke around a little more, looking for the hidden gems of a temple.

Heng and Ha in the Mountain Gate

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 28, 2016.)

Heng and Ha in the Mountain Gate of Hongfa Temple, Shenzhen

Today let's begin a walk through a typical Buddhist temple, from the front to the rear.

Around the Main Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 10, 2016.)

Kneelers and instruments in front of main altar, Hong Fa Temple, Shenzhen

In addition to the main altar, there are plenty of other things to see inside the main hall.

The Chan Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 20, 2016.)

The Chan Hall at Guangxiao Temple, Guangzhou

Many temples have a chan tang (Japanese zendo) or Meditation Hall. Those temples that do not have a separate hall usually have benches around the sides of the main hall for sitting.

The Qielan Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 4, 2016.)

Guanyu/Qielan in three forms, Nangshan Cishou Temple, Putian, Fujian

We have talked before of the popular Daoist figure Guanyu, who has his own temples (one is located in Shenzhen's Xin'an Old City). We mentioned there that Buddhists know him as "Qielan." Here's his story.

Hua Guang, Opera Patron

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 18, 2016.)

Hua Guang in his temple in Nanshan District, Shenzhen

Like the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Buddhism, Daoist temples have their own protectors, the "Four Marshals." One of these is Ma Tianjun. He is known by many names, but in "Canton" (Guangdong) the most popular is Hua Guang. (The other three Marshals are Wang Shan, Zhao Gongming, and Wen Qiong.)

The Spring Cattle Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 25, 2016.)

Remains of Shenzhen's Spring Cattle Hall, Nanshan

When we think of temples in China, two types primarily come to mind: Buddhist temples, and those for the practice of Daoism. We could easily add to this the Ancestral Halls, which include an altar containing tablets of deceased family members.

Huineng's "Refuge Rock"

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 15, 2016.)

Marks in the niche in "Refuge Rock" said to be made by Huineng's robe

Including some areas to its north and south, Shaoguan in Guangdong is "Huineng Country." The Sixth Patriarch was born and died south of Zhaoqing, and was ordained at the Fifth Patriarch's temple in Huangmei County, Hubei. Shaoguan lies between the two.