The Thousand-Armed Guanyin

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Monday, August 24, 2015.)

Statue of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin at tiny Linfeng Temple, Zhiti Shan, Fujian

Perhaps the most striking statue in many Buddhist temples is also one of the most common. It is the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, usually found with eleven heads.

Luojia Shan and Guanyin's Leap

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 16, 2015.)

Luojia Shan as seen from Putuo Shan, with Guanyin's Leap in the foreground

Putuo Shan is an island lying off the coast of Zhejiang, accessible via Ningbo or Shanghai. It is considered one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism, and is dedicated to Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. (The others are Emei Shan for Puxian; Jiuhua Shan for Dizang; and Wutai Shan for Wenshu.)

The Free Life Pond

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 23, 2015.)

Frogs and turtles find refuge at a pond in Daxingshan Temple, Xi'an

I used to give tours at a temple in Los Angeles, and visitors were often confused when I asked them, "Did you bring your turtles today?"

Amitabha and the Lotus

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

Amitabha Buddha at Longhua Temple, Shanghai

In many temples, you'll find three Buddhas on the main altar: the historical Buddha Shakyamuni at the center; on our right the Medicine Buddha; and on our left the most popular Buddha in China, the Amitabha Buddha, called in Chinese Amitofo.

Guanyin and Amitabha

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

Head of Guanyin with Amitabha in headdress, Longhua Temple, Shanghai

Iconography is a key aspect of the study of any religion. This is the symbolism used to represent key figures, and help us identify one from the other. In Buddhism, for example, where all Buddhas mostly look alike, only certain gestures (called mudras), or implements (like a pagoda or a lotus), distinguish one from another.

Dizang in the Bell Tower

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

Dizang with Ming Ranghe and Daoming at Gubaijingtai, Jiuhua Shan, Anhui

As we leave the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, we see to our left the Drum Tower, which contains a statue of Guanyin, whom we have already met. To the right, balancing the Drum Tower, is The Bell Tower. It contains a prodigious Chinese bell which hangs over the head of a monkish figure called Dizang.

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 Three Sages of the West

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 13, 2016.)

This ornate set of the Three Sages stands in a side hall at Linggu Temple, Nanjing

A temple visitor might encounter a set of three figures in its own hall outside of the main compound. These are the "Three Sages of the West," alternately called "Saints" instead of "Sages."

Lotus Lore

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 26, 2016.)

Lotus flowers at Longxing Temple, Zhengding (Shijiazhuang), Hebei

The lotus is preeminently the flower of Buddhism. I have spent hours gazing at lotus ponds in temples in Japan and China, and have come to love their symbolism.

Guanyin and the Dragon King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 22, 2017.)

Guanyin in the form of the Dragon King, Guangxiao Temple, Putian, Fujian

As one of the most popular of all Buddhist figures, Guanyin (Sanskrit Avalokiteshvara, Japanese Kannon) has been the subject of numerous folk tales.

Master Xuyun

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 12, 2017.)

Statue of Xuyun at Yunmen Temple, Guangdong

Perhaps the greatest Buddhist Master of the 19th and 20th centuries was the monk called Xuyun ("Empty Cloud"). From Quanzhou to Kunming, and especially around northern Guangdong, it is hard to find a major temple untouched by his efforts.

The Monks of Lin Feng Temple

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 17, 2017.)

Tiny Linfeng Temple on Zhiti Shan, Ningde, Fujian

I have recently told of meeting a well-known monk, Master Ji Qun. But during that same temple stay in Ningde, I was also reminded of the many anonymous members of the Sangha (the community of Buddhist believers).

Royal Ease

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 24, 2017.)

Guanyin in the Royal Ease posture, Longchang Temple, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu

There is a posture found among some Buddhist figures that is commonly called "Royal Ease."

Eleven-Headed Guanyin

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Sep 11, 2017.)

Guanyin with eleven heads and "1,000" arms at Dongshan Temple, Shenzhen

A bodhisattva is one whose being (sattva) is enlightened (bodhi). Astute readers may see that the consonants in bodhi--b, d, h--are shared by the word buddha, which means "one who is enlightened." But a bodhisattva differs from a buddha in that, although he or she has worked his/her way up to enlightenment, he/she has vowed to stop short of nirvana until all beings become enlightened. (Never mind that Mahayana followers believe that Buddhas are still available to help as well.)

Guanyin's Many Forms

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Oct 23, 2017.)

Some of Guanyin's many forms at Guangxiao Temple, Putian, Fujian

Several times in the past I have written of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion whose name means "The One Who Hears the Cries of the World." (This name is derived from the Sanskrit name Avalokiteshvara.)