The Pilgrim Xuanzang

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Monday, July 13, 2015.)

Statue of Xuanzang with his "backpack" at Xingjiao Temple, Xi'an

At some temples, the observant visitor may notice an unusual figure. A monk in antique clothing is carrying something on his back that seems a cross between a backpack and a wooden shrine cabinet.

Jianzhen, Missionary to Japan

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 3, 2015.)

The statue of Jianzhen at Daming Temple, Yangzhou, a gift from the Japanese

In some temples you will find images of great monks from Chinese tradition. We have already discussed Xuanzang, who went "west." Today let's look at Jianzhen, who went "east."

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 Monk Konghai

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 9, 2015.)

A statue of Konghai at Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou

The Japanese word for "Great Teacher" (大師) is spelled "Daishi" in Roman characters, and pronounced die-shee. (The Chinese spell it dashi in Hanyu Pinyin, and pronounce it da-shuh). One Great Teacher in Japan has been designated THE Daishi, since he stands out above the rest. His name was Kukai (Ch. Konghai) and his full title "Kobo Daishi" (Hongfa Dashi)--the Great Teacher who Spreads the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings).

The Free Life Pond

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on November 23, 2015.)

Frogs and turtles find refuge at a pond in Daxingshan Temple, Xi'an

I used to give tours at a temple in Los Angeles, and visitors were often confused when I asked them, "Did you bring your turtles today?"

The Ascetic Gautama

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on December 7, 2015.)

Sujata feeds refined milk to the ascetic Gautama in a panel at Daxingshan Temple, Xi'an

Visitors to some temples may be surprised to see a statue of an emaciated figure sitting calmly in a meditative position. His hands are folded in his lap as he peers off into the distance. The most striking feature, however, is his body: you can count his ribs, and his abdomen is incredibly shrunken.

The Earth-Touching Buddha

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

A jade Earth-Touching Buddha at Wolong Temple, Xi'an

There are many depictions of the historical Buddha born Siddhartha Gautama, whom we call Shakyamuni or "Sage of the Shakya Clan." Each reminds us of a key event in his life, and one of the most common shows the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the Earth-Touching Gesture.

The Buddha's Footprints

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on January 18, 2016.)

The Buddha's footprints on a stele at Wolong Temple, Xi'an

When writing about the Wheel of Dharma, I mentioned that earlier Buddhists were reluctant to represent the Buddha in human form, considering it to be disrespectful. Thus the artists turned to aniconic ("without icon" or "image") representations of the Buddha--that is, images without human figures.

Prayer Wheels

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 15, 2016.)

Prayer wheels at Guangren Temple, Xi'an

The tradition I have most thoroughly studied is Han Buddhism, which is practiced throughout the area of China that has historically been occupied by the majority Han ethnicity. There are actually two other Buddhist traditions found in China: the Theravada (similar to that found in South Asia) and the Tibetan.

Buddhist Hells

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 7, 2016.)

Inside a "hell hall" at Daxingshan Temple, Xi'an

It's hard to visit a temple of any kind without some awareness of the phenomenon translated as "hell." Many temples have incinerators in which one burns "hell money" (sometimes inscribed with the words "Bank of Hell"), as well as other goods for one's deceased loved ones. At some temples the smoke from these offerings is thicker than that of incense!

Around the Main Courtyard

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 23, 2016.)

Gong and wooden fish outside the dining hall, Caotang Temple, Xi'an

The Dharma Hall we visited last time is located at the back of the walled compound in smaller temples. (In larger ones, there may be more halls behind that one.) Around the sides of the compound there may be various rooms used for practical purposes.

Kumarajiva's Tongue

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 8, 2016.)

Reliquary containing the tongue of Kumarajiva, Caotang Temple, Xi'an

There's a beautiful little pavilion on the grounds of Caotang Temple, south of Xi'an, which was once Chang'an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China. It holds one of the oddest relics I've encountered.

What is "Zen"? (Part I)

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 5, 2016.)

The character for "Chan" on a wall at Wolong Temple, Xi'an

At many temples in China, there is a special hall set aside for meditation. In Chinese, the practice is referred to as "Chan."

The Peony Pavilion

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 15, 2017.)

The "Peony Pavilion" at Daci'en Temple, Xi'an

Daci'en Temple in Xi'an has a lovely garden area which, in the right season, is filled with peonies. In the center of the area is a small pavilion. And although the sign reads "Peony Garden" in Chinese, the English translation says "Peony Pavilion."

The Mahakala "Black Cloak"

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Sep 4, 2017.)

The Mahakala called "Black Cloak" on a mural
inside the Lamasery at Splendid China, Shenzhen

It has been over 14 years since I first set foot in Chin. Since then I have traveled to nearly 100 cities. But I have never been to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. My first taste of it was at Splendid China and the Folk Cultural Villages in Shenzhen, where I was able to see a miniaturized Potala Palace, and enter--for the first time--a full-sized lamasery. (I have since been to several more, notably Beijing's Yonghe Gong and the Guangren Temple in Xi'an).

Caishen, the "God of Wealth"

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Sep 18, 2017.)

A statue of Caishen, the God of Wealth,
at the Tianhou Temple in Chiwan, Shenzhen

From time to time, one sees images of one of the more popular gods in today's China: Caishen is the "God of Wealth." I first encountered him at the very first temple I found on my own, the Tianhou Temple in Chiwan, Shenzhen.