Stepping through the gate into a roofed structure, a big Buddha facing inward and four others on opposite walls as one views the courtyard. The first place the faithful can leave offerings of money, flowers or food.
Stepping into the courtyard we are met with this pagoda that is 9 floors high although we are told the inside has twice that many. Since it is wooden and several hundred years old, visitors can no longer climb it. It dominates the whole temple.
Back on earth, though right in front of us is this iron object which our guide tells us if one can put a coin through a certain slot, good fortune will come to you. Tian tries it and on the first try the coin sails into the right opening. I'm glad at least one of us will be thus blessed. :)
Tile work.
After the pagoda burned several hundred years ago,
plans to rebuild it.
Blurb about those who donated to rebuild.
Moving off to the right side of the courtyard we came to this side area and another Buddha from India off to the left of the statue below:
Some reknowned teacher.
Supposedly one will be a good student
if your picture is made with him.
Yu-Hsuan, Star and Tian
Christenberry and Stowell children
Next we moved to the portion directly behind the pagoda, where in a huge room sat three giant sized Buddhas - past, present and future, along with benches for the faithful to bow, say a prayer and then go outside to give an offering of fruit, flowers, incense or money.
Beautiful flowers left as offerings
Side view of the pagoda
banyan trees in this area
Christenberry family
two newest members in middle
Stowell family
Miss Star in pink
Tian and Poppi
Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI remember that temple - and being there with our three girls - one obviously American and two obviously Asian....and a long line of monks were walking by. The last one - the oldest - and looking like he was on the high side of 90 stopped. As he did the whole line stopped (I have no idea how they knew he had stopped) and he shuffeled over to our girls, got to his knees, and began speaking to the two youngest. After saying a few words to the girls got up, and one by one - starting with the youngest (and newest member of our family) laid hands on each of us for a moment, saying nothing, then moved back to the line and off they walked.
ReplyDeleteOur guide later explained that the old monk was touched by seeing our three daughters together and took a moment to 'bless' the family.
Not our faith tradition - but it could do no harm and it made the old monk happy to do so!
We'll always have fond memories of that temple and one day we'll return there.
Blessing on you guys - Merry Christmas!
aus and co.
I was there in 2003 and, at that time, they let us climb to the top. I remember how small the doorways were. I am 5' 7" and had to bend way over to go through them. I also remember a woman with incense, fervently praying to the three buddhas, while several monks sat to the left of the statues, talking together. I felt so sorry for the woman: knowing her faith in the statues was misplaced. It was very sad. On a happier note, the photos of your family and the flowers are wonderful!
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