Vairochana, the Great Sun Buddha

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 26, 2015.)

Vairocana Buddha at Longhua Temple, Shanghai

Longtime followers of this column may remember me saying (more than once!) that Vairochana is my "favorite Buddha," or even my "personal Buddha." Here's why.

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 500 Arhats

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 30, 2015.)

Five hundred small Arhats in a hall at Longhua Temple, Shanghai

Many temples have a subsidiary hall featuring 500 Arhats. This raises two questions.

Pillars of Ashoka

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

The Pillar of Ashoka at Jing'an Temple, Shanghai

Ashoka, king of the Mauryan Empire (322 to 185 BCE), ruled most of what is modern India, including the area where the historical Buddha had been active about three centuries before.

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.

The Eighteen Arhats

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 29, 2016.)

Painting of the Eighteen Arhats at Yufo Temple, Shanghai

I have written from time to time about those uniquely Buddhist figures called "the Arhats." Today, let's look at the most popular group, comprised of eighteen of them.

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.