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.

The Laughing Buddha

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

The Laughing Buddha at Zhiti Shan Huayan Temple, Ningde, Fuzhou

The next building we encounter in our temple walkthrough is called the "Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings." But these are not the first figures we encounter.

At the Feet of Master Ji Qun

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 26, 2017.)

Master Ji Qun goes over notes outside a hermitage near Huayan Temple, Ningde, Fujian

In the summer of 2006, I had the extraordinary opportunity to spend a week in a remote mountain temple, teaching Buddhism in English to about 100 kids. There I met a great Master who also joined us in teaching the students.

More Wisdom from Master Ji Qun

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

Master Ji Qun leaving the hermitage near Huayan Temple, Ningde, Fujian

Last time I talked about meeting Master Ji Qun, Abbot of the Xiyuan Temple in Suzhou. We met in a mountain hermitage near Huayan Temple on Zhiti Mountain, where I had been teaching English to about 100 kids, and he was there sharing his deep wisdom.

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).