Points Of Interest

Main Shrine

The Main Shrine is called the Treasured Hall of the Great Hero and dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. Flanking these three buddhas are two towers. These are called Wisdom Lamps and are one of the many offerings that visitors to the temple collectively provide. Along the walls are thousands of smaller buddhas. These are each sponsored by a devotee and serve to show a connection between ourselves and the buddha within each of us. It also illustrates how there are infinite buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism because every sentient being has the potential to become a buddha.

This is the center of the temple’s activities and is where most religious services happen. Aside from services for the public, the temple’s monastics gather each morning and evening for prayers. The weekly Dharma service is conducted every Sunday in Mandarin from 10 am to 12 pm. Those not versed in Chinese may chant along with English liturgy books with both translation of the meaning and the pronunciation of the Chinese text. There is also a Dharma service conducted entirely in English at 1:30 pm on Sundays in the Memorial Pagoda. There is no significant reason that Dharma services are conducted on Sunday other than out of convenience as most people have the day off.

Bodhisattva Hall

The Bodhisattva Hall is the first hall that visitors to the temple encounter. It enshrines five major bodhisattvas who embody different virtues in Buddhism. The architecture of the hall and the rest of the temple is inspired by late-imperial Chinese architecture. The burgundy columns and yellow glazed roof tiles are reminiscent of the Forbidden City and common to many temples in Taiwan.

Once visitors make their way up to parking level one, a flight of red granite covered stairs will lead to the first shrine. The temple has been designed to reflect the traditional architectural Chinese styles of the Qing and Ming dynasties . Note that the colors of maroon red, gold and green are similar to those used on the palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing China. Originally only such colors were reserved for the Emperor and it was only through special dispensation that temples were given permission to use such colors. Notice the ceramic figurines located on the corner of the eaves. Originally the figurines were used to hold down the tiles securely, but they also inform us about the importance of the structure itself. More figurines means a more important building.

What is a Bodhisattva?

In Buddhism a bodhisattva is an individual who seeks spiritual awakening for the benefit of all beings. This is typically characterized by making vows like the ones seen on the pillars of the Mountain Gate. This vow is the seed that continues to inspire this individual to continue this practice after many lifetimes. The practice of a bodhisattva is one that emphasizes forming affinities with others just as much as self-cultivation. That is, while Buddhism is often associated with silent meditation, the practice of a bodhisattva never ignores the needs of sentient beings in the world. Upon completing the path of a bodhisattva, one becomes a buddha. Thus, bodhisattvas can be called “buddhas in training.”

Dharma Protector Niches

When facing the shrine, to the far right of the structure is a niche that contains the Bodhisattva Skanda, an Indian protector of Buddhism. As Buddhism grew and spread throughout Asia, many local deities were adopted as protectors. Skanda is one such example. In one tale, he was responsible for recovering the Buddha’s relics, which had been stolen shortly after cremation. In another story, he was the youngest in a line of one thousand princes who each had vowed to become a buddha. As the youngest, he vowed to support and protect each of his older brothers, and only once this was completed would he attain awakening himself. Thus, he is currently a protector of the buddhas. In the monastery, he is seen as the embodiment of discipline and self-restraint. To the far left in another niche is the Bodhisattva Sangharama. He is derived from a popular Chinese folk hero and historical general, Guan Yu. While Guan Yu is popular as a Chinese folk deity representing righteousness, and also the subject of many films, TV shows, and even video games, there is a uniquely Buddhist story of why he is a protector of the monastery. After he was captured and executed in war, there were reports of him haunting the land, galloping throughout the plains on his horse in search of his lost head. Eventually, he encountered the esteemed Buddhist monk, Master Zhiyi, who urged him to reflect on how many heads he had cut off in his own lifetime. Guan Yu’s restless spirit felt great remorse towards the violence he committed and vowed to change his ways. He then became a protector of Buddhism in China and has been revered ever since.

Diamond Sutra and Altar

On the wall below the Five Bodhisattvas is the Diamond Sutra, a scripture on wisdom which has been translated from the Indian language of Sanskrit to Chinese. A sutra in literal terms is a thread, but can be thought of as a Buddhist scripture. This sutra is read from top to bottom, right to left. This sutra is one of the most revered and respected sutras or verses within Chinese Buddhism and is equated with the Buddha himself. The Diamond Sutra is a discourse between the historical Buddha and his disciple Subhuti on the nature of reality. Just below the Diamond Sutra is the altar. Here devotees will leave various offerings such as incense, flowers, and candles. Visitors and devotees may also purchase pre-assembled offering plates within the Bodhisattva Hall at a minimal cost. Most members of the temple will also make their own offerings and leave them at the altar that will be collected, cleaned by temple staff, used, cooked and consumed by the temple. No items are wasted. Devotees often collect their offerings before leaving and bring them home to share with family and friends.