Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to extend well beyond the main pillars. Look out for the procession of figures, including a
dragon and a man riding a phoenix among various mythological beasties, that run along the
edges of the roof. They're put there for luck and protection.
Symbols
The main hall of a
Buddhist temple
is dominated by three large
statues
- the Buddhas of
the past, the present and the future - while the walls are lined by rather outlandish
arhats
,
or saints. Around the back of the Buddhist trinity will probably be a statue of Guanyin, the
multi-armed Goddess of Mercy. Believed to help with childbirth, she's very popular, and
you'll see the same figure in Taoist temples.
Taoist
temples are much more diverse in iconography. The Taoist holy trinity is made up
of the three
immortals
, who each ride different animals (a crane, tiger and deer) and repres-
ent the three levels of the Taoist afterlife. You'll see dragons and phoenixes depicted in all
Chinese temples, but
animal carvings
are more popular with the animist Taoists, too: look
out for bats and cranes - symbols, respectively, of good luck and longevity. Other figures in
Taoist temples include the red-faced God of War, Guan Yu, and the general Zhuge Liang -
characters in the ancient story of the
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
,
and based on real-life
figures. Around the edges of the halls you'll see often fantastical depictions of other immor-
tals and saints, usually shown with a magical talisman and evidence of some kind of special
power. All are presided over by the stern looking Jade Emperor.
Confucian temples
are rather formal, with little imagery, though you will see plenty of
tombstone-like steles supported by stone tortoises - perhaps a nod towards the Indian story
that a tortoise carries the world on its back. Recently, new statues of the great sage have been
erected following approval of his official likeness.
A MONK'S LIFE
Buddhist monks
wear orange robes and keep their heads shaved, while
Taoist monks
wear blue and keep their long hair tied up. Both sets of monks are celibate and vegetarian,
and avoid garlic or onion, which are said to enflame the passions. Under the strict rule of
an abbot, the monks and nuns live a regimented and quiet life, taken up with study, prayer
and observance and celebration of significant dates. There are also plenty of practical tasks
concerning the day-to-day running of the institution. Meals are communal and there is at
least three hours of prayer and meditation every day.
The need to defend the temple, and to balance meditation with activity, led to the devel-
opment of
martial arts
: Taoist monks generally practice
tai ji quan
while Buddhists are
famous for having developed kung fu - though you're not likely to see it being practised.
