Ji Gong, the Eccentric Monk

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 31, 2015.)

Ji Gong at Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

An amusing character seen in some temples is the Chan (Zen) master Ji Gong, also called Daoji. He wears a funny little hat with the character for "Buddha" on it, and monk's robes nearly in rags. His left hand holds a fan (for comfort--and magic), and in his right is a gourd containing wine. This may account for the seemingly-drunken smile on his face.

The Swastika, Source of Confusion

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 14, 2015.)

Swastika on the chest of Vairocana Buddha, Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou

For the casual Western visitor to temples, few things are more confusing than the appearance of a peculiar symbol, often in the center of a Buddha's chest.

Feilai Feng

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 14, 2016.)

Huili's Pagoda stands at the end of Hangzhou's Feilai Feng

Nearly 17 centuries ago, the legend says, an Indian monk came wandering into the vicinity of what is now Hangzhou. The name given to him in Chinese is Huili, meaning something like "wise essence." His Indian name is not known for certain, but may have been Matiyukti.

Changmei and Tanshou Arhats

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Oct 24, 2016.)

Changmei, the Long Eyebrow Arhat, at Huayan Temple, Datong, Shanxi

From time to time, we have encountered the figures known as the 18 (or sometimes 16) Arhats, and we have looked more closely at one of them, "Jivaka, the open-hearted arhat." Let's meet some of the others.