Chinese Pilgrimage: 2012

Stupa, Dizang Temple, Fuzhou, Fujian

This was the first of several odd, barrel-shaped stupas (塔) I saw near Fuzhou, Fujian (福建, 福州市). This one is at Dizang Temple (地藏寺), one of the oldest in Fujian.

Gate, Longxing Temple, Shenzhen, Guangdong

This gate is a remnant from the days when Longxing Temple (龙兴寺) in Shenzhen, Guangdong (广东, 深圳市), was a Taoist (道教) site.

Statues, Jiangxin Temple, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

Some of the many statues in the main hall (大雄宝殿) at Jiangxin Temple (江心寺), Wenzhou, Zhejiang (浙江, 温州市).

Pagoda, Zhizhe Tayuan, Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang

This small pagoda inside a hall bears the remains of Zhiyi (智顗), founder of the Tiantai Sect (天台宗), at Zhizhe Tayuan (智者塔院), Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang (浙江, 天台山).

Guanyin, Gaoming Temple, Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang

This stunning figure of Guanyin is carved into native rock on a bluff overlooking a valley to the east of Gaoming Temple, Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang (浙江, 天台山).

Waterfall, Lower Fangguang Temple, Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang

Waterfalls surround Lower Fangguang Temple (下方广寺) high upon Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang (浙江, 天台山)

Master Zhiyi, Guoqing Temple, Tiantai Shan, Zhejiang

Statue of Master Zhiyi (智顗大师), founder of the Tiantai Sect (天台宗), at Guoqing Temple (国清寺) at the base of Tiantai Shan (天台山), Zhejiang (浙江).

Great Buddha, Dafo Temple, Xinchang, Zhejiang

Great Buddha (大佛) at Dafo Temple (大佛寺), Xinchang County, Zhejiang (浙江, 新昌县)

Drum Tower, Zhanshan Temple, Qingdao, Shandong

The delicate Drum Tower (鼓楼) at Zhanshan Temple (湛山寺), Qingdao, Shandong (山东, 青岛市)

Pagoda, Kaiyuan Temple, Zhengding, Hebei

Xumi Pagoda (须弥塔), on the former site of Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺), Zhengding, Hebei (河北, 正定县). "Xumi" is a partial transliteration of the name of the mythical Mount Sumeru (须弥山).

Pagoda, Tianning Temple, Zhengding, Hebei

Lingxiao Pagoda (凌霄塔), also called the "Wooden Pagoda" for its appearance, stands on the site of the former Tianning Temple (天宁寺), Zhengding, Hebei (河北, 正定县).

Pagoda, Guanghui Temple, Zhengding, Hebei

The Hua (Flower) Pagoda (花塔) at Guanghui Temple (广惠寺), Zhengding, Hebei (河北, 正定县), is covered with these carved animals.

Pagoda, Linji Temple, Zhengding, Hebei

This pagoda (塔) at Linji Temple (临济寺), Zhengding, Hebei (河北, 正定县), holds the remains of Linji (临济), founder of the Linji sect (临济宗) of Chan (=Zen, 禅).

Pagoda, Yongyou Temple, Chengde, Hebei

This pagoda (塔) is all that remains of Yongyou Temple (永佑寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市). It once stood on the grounds of the Qing emperors' summer retreat (避暑).

Ancient Bridge, Xumifushou Temple, Chengde, Hebei

The ancient five-arched bridge at Xumifushou Temple (须弥福寿之庙), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), was built in 1780 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (乾隆).

Palace, Putuozongcheng Temple, Chengde, Hebei

The "Palace" (宫) at Putuozongcheng Temple (普陀宗乘之庙), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), emulates the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) in Lhasa, Tibet (西藏, 拉萨).

Mountain Gate, Shuxiang Temple, Chengde, Hebei

The Mountain Gate (山门) at Shuxiang Temple (殊像寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市). The temple is closed to the public, but it's part of a pleasant stroll among the outer temples (外八庙) of Chengde.

Mountain Gate, Guangyuan Temple, Chengde, Hebei

The Mountain Gate (山门) at Guangyuan Temple (广缘寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), has been closed with adobe. This temple is abandoned; the closed grounds are used as a landscaping nursery.

New Statues, Puyou Temple, Chengde, Hebei

These new statues await placement at Puyou Temple (普佑寺) in Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市).

Mahayana Hall, Puning Temple, Chengde, Hebei

The so-called Mahayana Hall (大乘之阁) at Puning Temple (普宁寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), houses a colossal 22-meter-tall statue of Guanyin (观音).

Hall, Dafo Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning

Dafo Temple (大佛寺) in Shenyang, Liaoning (辽宁, 沈阳市), was also under heavy reconstruction when I visited. There is pandemonium either side of this view!

Arhats, Ci'en Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning

A fine antique-looking set of arhats (罗汉) graces the Main Hall (大雄宝殿) at Ci'en Temple (慈恩寺), Shenyang, Liaoning (辽宁, 沈阳市).

Hall, Banruo Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning

Worshippers in front of the Main Hall (大雄宝殿) at Banruo Temple (般若寺), Shenyang, Liaoning (辽宁, 沈阳市)

Roof Detail, Guanyin Gucha, Jilin, Jilin

The figures on the ridges of most Chinese temples vary more than these at Guanyin Gucha (观音古刹) in Jilin City, Jilin (吉林, 吉林市).

Guanyin, Banruo Temple, Changchun, Jilin

The Guanyin (观音) standing in the first courtyard at Banruo Temple (般若寺) in Changchun, Jilin (吉林, 长春市), was typical of the temples I visited in northeastern China (东北).

Bell, Dizang Temple, Changchun, Jilin

The small Dizang Temple (地藏寺) in Changchun, Jilin (吉林, 长春市), was under construction when I visited (and there wouldn't have been much to see even if it were complete!) Anyway, this bell hanging in the driveway was attractive.

Mountain Gate, Jile Temple, Haerbin, Heilongjiang

The Mountain Gate (山门) at Jile Temple (极乐寺) in Haerbin, Heilongjiang (黑龙江, 哈尔滨市) faces a busy walking street near an amusement park

Heavenly King, Huayan Temple, Guangzhou, Guangdong

Dhrtarashtra (持国天王), one of the Four Heavenly Kings (天王), in the newly-built Huayan Temple (华严寺) in Guangzhou, Guangdong (广东, 广州市)

Sleeping Buddha, Dunhuang Caves Exhibit, Shenzhen, Guangdong

Copy of a statue of the Sleeping Buddha (卧佛) based on one in the Mogao Caves (莫高窟) at Dunhuang (敦煌); in a museum exhibition in Shenzhen, Guangdong (广东, 深圳市)

Roof Brackets, Zhihua Temple, Beijing

Roof brackets inside one of the dilapidated halls (殿) of Zhihua Temple (智化寺) in the alleys (胡同) of Beijing (北京)

Courtyard Gate, Dabei Temple, Tianjin

Gate to the so-called "West Temple," (西院) a separate compound inside Dabei Temple (大悲院) in Tianjin (天津)

Longevity Buddha, Yonghegong Temple, Beijing

The Longevity Buddha (长寿佛) is in a pagoda (塔) inside a hall (殿) at Yonghegong ("Lama") Temple (雍和宫), Beijing (北京)

Lotus Bowl, Fayuan Temple, Beijing

This bowl of lotus flowers (莲花) stands in a courtyard at Fayuan Temple (法源寺), Beijing (北京)

Hall Roof, Sheng'an Temple, Beijing

Hall roof at the seemingly-abandoned Sheng'an Temple (圣安寺), Beijing (北京)

Steles, Guangji Temple, Beijing

These steles (石碑) stand in front of a hall (殿) at Guangji Temple (广济寺), Beijing (北京)

Two Kings, Guanghua Temple, Beijing

Two of the Heavenly Kings (天王), namely Virupaksa (广目天王) left and Vaishravana (多闻天王) right at Guanghua Temple (广化寺), Beijing (北京)

Gate, Xihuang Temple, Beijing

The gate is all most people see at Xihuang Temple (西黄寺), Beijing (北京); the grounds are closed to the public.

Gate, Tongjiao Temple, Beijing

The streetside gate at Tongjiao Temple (通教寺) in Beijing (北京) is as picturesque as anything inside.

Old Arhat, Dabei Temple, Beijing

Statue of an old arhat (罗汉) at Dabei Temple (大悲寺) (Temple of Great Mercy) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京)

Gate, Longquan An Temple, Beijing

Inside this gate is the "Dragon Spring" at Longquan (Dragon Spring) An Nunnery (龙泉庵) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京)

Hell Beings, Xiangjie Temple, Beijing

Xiangjie ("Incense or Fragrant World") Temple (香界寺) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京), had a collection of statues in a couple of pavilions outside, including these two Hell Beings (地狱众生).

Master Haixiu, Baozhu Cave, Beijing

Master Haixiu (海岫) practiced meditation (禅) for 40 years in the very small Baozhu (Precious Pearl) Cave (宝珠洞), one of the "Eight Great Sites" (八大处=Badachu) in Beijing (北京).

Gate, Sanshan An Temple, Beijing

This quaint wooden gate presages the simplicity of Sanshan An (三山庵=Three Mountain Nunnery) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京).

Ancient Pagoda Base, Lingguang Temple, Beijing

The well-venerated base is all that remains of the Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda (佛牙舍利塔) at Lingguang Temple (灵光寺), one of the "Eight Great Sites" (八大处=Badachu) in western Beijing (北京). The newly-built replacement can be seen in the upper right.

East Twin Pagoda, Shuang Ta, Kunming, Yunnan

Kunming, Yunnan (云南, 昆明市), has another set of Twin Pagodas (双塔). This is the easternmost of the two, graced in springtime by a riot of purple flowers.

Central Pond, Yuantong Temple, Kunming, Yunnan

Yuantong Temple (圆通寺) in Kunming, Yunnan (云南, 昆明市), is upside-down: One walks DOWN from the Mountain Gate (山门) to the Main Hall (大雄宝殿). A pond (池) fills the space that would usually be occupied by a courtyard.

Twin Pagodas, Dade Temple, Kunming, Yunnan

The Twin Pagodas (双塔) are all that's left of Dade Temple (大德寺) in Kunming, Yunnan (云南, 昆明市). They now stand in a tiny courtyard squeezed between a government hall and an apartment building.