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West Lake – Hangzhou, China

Gold Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha

Inside of the Temple is this statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. This was the best shot I could take from an opening outside the Temple. It would have been disrespectful of me to be inside snapping away as worshippers were there praying. This statue is at least 80 feet high, which you really cannot determine from this shot but it is BIG. And extremely beautiful.

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West Lake – Hangzhou, China

Lingyin Temple – Temple of Soul’s Retreat

Okay, I’ve been away for a few days. I decided to travel to West Lake located in Hangzhou, north of Nanchang. West Lake is a prime vacation spot for Chinese Nationals (and some foreigners). It is a beautiful, romantic place – somewhere to take your wife, fiancé, girlfriend, etc. There are many things to do and see around the lake, which is very large. The only thing I can compare it o would be Central Park in New York – but 10 times larger and much more beautiful. The scenery is right out of a Chinese movie.

Not far form West Lake is Lingyin Temple, one of the 10 most important Buddhist Temples in China, also known as the Temple of Soul’s Retreat. It is recognized as a premier place for the study of Chinese Buddhist culture. The Temple is situated in a park which houses other structures and historical sites. As you walk through the park you can walk up the side of the mountain where it is located to the top where there is a Buddhist Monastery and Tea House. From the Monastery you can see West Lake in the distance – fantasically beautiful. The scenery is exactly like the scenery from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. There are tall bamboo trees that swayed in the wind. So peaceful and majestic. Here are some photos of the temple, the Monastery and the Tea House.

Explore the Spirit

JLM

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Holiday Week at Da Cheng Dian

Last week was a holiday week  celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese Natioanals were tourists in their own country with MILLIONS traveling to various locations throughout the country enjoying the holiday. I spent a day at the memorial for the teacher, editor, politician and philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE), Da Cheng Dian. Every city in China has a memorial temple dedicated to this great scholar. Here are some of the pictures of that day.

“Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star” – Confucius

Explore the Spirit!

JLM