The House Taoist Temple - Yangzhou, China - March 11th, 2012

During the adventure around the Old District, Randy and I would stumble upon an old house that had been converted into a Temple. I can't remember the man who owned the house years ago, but the House Temple itself is what really stands out. I believe it was a Taoist Temple, which I will explain more later in the entry.

The Temple was very much a mixture of Taoism and Buddhism. Upon the wall of the entrance was the Taoist symbol of the Yin and Yang, as well as the colors of Taoism...being orange and yellow. Most of the statues were bearded and men as well, which leads me to believe if it wasn't an outright Taoist Temple than it was the main influence of the place. Usually the only bearded Buddhist Bodhisattvas that are seen are of the Three Kingdoms warrior Guan Yu or local honored heroes...which may have been a part of the Temple considering the overlap between Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism here in China. I think it is more likely to be a Temple to the Immortals though, since all the men had very long beards which is a Taoist Temple trait.

There was an area for candles and where incense could be placed where the incense had burned down (you'll find this in any Temple in China be it Taoist, Buddhist or Confucian)and there were only two buildings. The first with the bearded deity at the entrance and at the back a large building where there were three different deities, all bearded men.

The Temple was small and had no entrance fee...it really hit back the better part of religion in serving the common good and community. It was here I saw it being practiced when a middle aged women came with incense to honor one of the deities. The abbot or monk present (bearded, another reason for why it might have been a Taoist Temple, Buddhist Monks don't have facial hair). The monk was pretty impatient though when helping the woman which gave a bit of a bad vibe since so much of Taoism is balance (it's like seeing an angry Buddhist Monk, though Taoists are much more comfortable with emotions and the randomness of them in my reading of the texts (Tao Te Qing, Writings of Chuang Tzu). His actions towards her where in contrast to the place which had older folks walking through it who were at peace as outside people bought tourist items and food. It was like an Oasis in a desert and I don't think I'll forget the visit to that tiny Temple anytime soon.

Return to the Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzi Miao) - February 26th, 2012

Last Sunday was my second time returning to the Nanjing Confucius Temple (called Fuzi Miao in mandarin). It was the first area visited that day. What I would discover is just how much more secular it was when I came initially. To illustrate show I'll start with the last area that the Temple entrance ticket covers.

In the back of the Temple is a cultural arts building and grounds where craftsmen sell their wares. It is part of the Temple and compliments the musical building that comes before it. In a way it kind of fits one of the themes of what it means to be a Gentlemen in regards to general knowledge. A gentlemen should be good in writing, music and the rituals. So in that way it was connected, though the final building was more about craftsmen proper. This music hall also functioned as a gift shop.

The building before the music hall is a huge contrast between the secular and religious. There are the artifacts and ritual instruments laid out with what purpose they served when the Emperor would come. Such as the ritual drum and bells and around the Temple were stories and Legends about the life of Confucius himself. There was a large tapestry of Confucius with an area for donations and to bow. It was this area that was like any Buddhist or Taoist Temple in China.

The New Years and Lantern Festival are still very much alive here. For the New Years a whole court was created at the entrance of the Temple and around the Temple and the old street were living lanterns of small dragons to celebrate the New Years and red lanterns along every street. In the area at the entrance where there is a statue of Confucius and 8 of his disciples. Last year when it was Confucius's birthday he was wearing a red cape. This year with the New Years an entire lantern court was behind the statues of the disciples and by Confucius was an area of full of names on charms and names on a board who had been a part of the celebration.

 After honoring the past and the present with reflection and the charm my name joined the others who had come here both in the past when the Emperors came and now. The purpose of the Temple hasn't changed as far as the ritual of the lunar festivals and bringing people together, and even the honoring of Confucius. It's amazing how even as things change that some core aspects can continue on, even if the meaning changes as the people change.

Linggue Temple Visit, Baoying, China

s been a long time since I've visited a Chinese Buddhist Temple, an entire year actually (last time it was in Hangzhou when I was studying abroad). There three things that stood out in my visit yesterday.

First was how incredibly peaceful it was...outside was the bustle of shopping, people going to the doctor and countless other things they had to do in their lives. I felt at peace at Linggue Temple, more so than I've felt anywhere else in China since teaching. The Temple truly is a beautiful place. There are the golden statues (Which will be a part of the next post), open squares, halls where monks are chanting, and an area where incense is burned to honor the dead. It allows community while slowing everything down. It's easy to be present in the moment and find peace and balance.

The second part was how parts of it reminded me of the Nanjing Confucius Temple I went to. There was a tree with red ribbons tied on it for wealth, prosperity and luck, there was the bell that could be rung for luck (without a cost attached unlike the Confucius Temple) and a store that I think supports the temples ability to run. I used to be abhorred to this idea...for example the amount of shops in the Vatican and the large showiness was a turn from me from religion. Now I would say it is less so...it matters whether the money is being towards good and if it is supporting the livelihood of those who live simply and up-keeping the sanctuary of the Temple or Cathedral...I say that's a good cause. If it's ever used to cover up or not used for betterment...then I take issue.

On the subject of the first part of the second paragraph. Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism really are a source of solidness for many of the people who believe in these traditional faiths. The philosophies in many instances are forgotten (except by the monks and scholars), but in it's place is a focus on the people and looking for one another...giving a place for a person to feel safe and honor what they've lost...or to celebrate a marriage or birth. The philosophies can sometimes get so isolating or to universal that they lose sight of the communities or lead to isolation and non-human interaction. Like the Yogi's in the mountains or monks who never leave the monastery.

If you achieve enlightenment and forget the world, did you really achieve it? (How can one live virtue without interacting with others?).


Now, can it's up to me to try to find that balance I found in the Temple always and to live by goodness.