The Patriarchs' Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 11, 2016.)

Inside the Patriarchs' Hall at Linji Temple, Zhengding, Hebei

Many temples will have a "Patriarch's Hall," recognizing the temple's forebears.

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.

The Far-Seeing Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 13, 2017.)

The red-faced Guang Mu with his serpent at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

You may have heard it said that "There are no gods in Buddhism." That is not strictly true. There are gods, though they are not objects of worship, as in theistic religions.

The Closely-Listening Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 20, 2017.)

The very-dark-green (nearly black) faced Duo Wen with his
umbrella at Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

The next of our "Four Heavenly Kings" is called Vaishravana, whose story originates with the lesser-known Hindu god named Kubera.

The Country-Supporting Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 27, 2017 .)

The white (or tan)-faced Chi Guo with his lute at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Here is the third of our Four Heavenly Kings. Called Dhritarashtra in Sanskrit, he is based on the great Hindu god Indra.

The Growth-Enhancing Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 3, 2017.)

A red-faced Zeng Shang with his sword at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Today we come to the fourth and last of the "Heavenly Kings." His Sanskrit name is Virudhaka, but he is known in Chinese as Zeng Zhang, literally "increasing length," but widely interpreted to mean that he "enhances virtue." So in folk tradition, he is Mo-Li Heng, the last character meaning "a lot" or "vast."

Rotating Sutra Cabinets

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Oct 9, 2017.)

The framework of a sutra cabinet (with the shelves removed)
at Longxing Temple in Zhengding, Hebei Province.

Previously, I have described the use of prayer wheels in Tibetan-style temples. These large drums, which may be located along a corridor, or at the side of a building, have a prayer written on them. Om Mani Padme Hum--"Hail the Jewel in the Lotus!" The belief is that every time a person turns one of these drums--whether laboriously, or with a fast spin--he gains the merit of having said that mantra (a set of supposedly powerful words) one time.

Bridges

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Oct 16, 2017.)

Bridges over nothing at the entrance of Longxing Temple in Zhengding, Hebei Province

One of the many benefits brought to society by Buddhist monks was the building of bridges. In the simplest terms, the building of a bridge was an act of compassion.