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Buddhism is the most common religion in China. It came here from India over
2,000 years ago. There are differences in how it is practiced from one region to
another. Tibet has its own variation on the theme, and this is represented in
Beijing by the Lama Temple. At this point I would like to recall Ogden Nash's
spelling aid ditty:
The one-L lama, he's a priest.
The two-L llama, he's a beast.
And I will bet a silk pajama
There isn't any three-L lllama
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When we arrive at the Lama Temple, the small courtyard is full of tour
buses. Shops along the street outside offer votive items to worshippers. |
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 Our
intrepid little band of adventurers gathers by the entrance and proceeds
up the cool, tree-lined alleyway to the temple. Here we are met by a
fierce lion. |
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The courtyard houses a huge bell, the drum tower, and the bell tower. |
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As we noticed in other temples, people burn large amounts of incense
(usually in the form of joss sticks) in large incense burners.
I have been told that I remind people of the Happy Buddha, a revered
figure in the pantheon. This one is flanked by towers bearing the names of
holy monks. |
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The decor is similar to what we saw in other temples in China, but with
Tibetan characters and design motifs.
Fritz takes a prayer wheel for a spin. |
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There are five successive courtyards and halls, each with many Buddhas
to receive the prayers of the worshippers. |
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When you get to the innermost hall, the Pavilion of Ten Thousand
Fortunes, it houses a 75 foot high statue of Maitreya Buddah said to have
been carved from a single white sandalwood tree back in the mid-18th
century. |
 As we walk back to the
bus, we notice that the little lions lining the path are actually modern trash
receptacles.
This causes us to notice that, so far, there has been less trash in the
cities than we are used to in western cities. There is, of course, a lot of
wind-borne dirt in Beijing since it is downwind from the Gobi desert, and the
construction sites are unsightly, but overall they seem to be doing a very good
job of keeping things picked up. Everywhere we go we see someone with a
twig broom sweeping the streets, including the expressways! |
