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.

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.

The Dharma and Sutra Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 16, 2016.)

The Dharma Hall and Sutra Repository at Guiyuan Temple, Wuhan

In most smaller temples, the building behind the main hall is given over to learning. Specifically, it contains an area for preaching in the downstairs, called the "Dharma Hall," and a library of sutras upstairs.

The Huayan Hall

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 27, 2016.)

Vairocana Buddha reflected in mirrors in the Huayan Hall at Dafo Temple, Shaoxing, Zhejiang

Some temples will have a Huayan Hall, especially temples with strong dedication to the Avatamsaka Sutra (called the Huayan in Chinese or the "Flower Garland" in English).