Vairochana Buddhas, Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Hebei, China

These exquisite figures of Vairochana Buddha are part of the impressive collection at Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Hebei.

Posted to Reddit et al, March 30, 2025

Reliquary, Ayuwang Temple, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

The large box on the altar in this picture is said to contain a relic of the skull of Shakyamuni, sent there by King Ashoka of India. At Ayuwang ("King Ashoka") Temple, Ningbo, Zhejiang. Often, what makes a relic "work" is the setting in which it's found; this one is impressive.

Posted to Reddit et al, March 29, 2025

Great Goose Pagoda, Daci'en Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

View of the Great Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta) over a wall at Daci'en Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi. It was built to hold items brought back from ancient India by the pilgrim-monk Xuanzang.

Posted to Reddit et al, March 28, 2025

Some of the 24 Devas, Guangji Temple, Wuhu, Anhui, China

An upper hall at Guangji Temple in Wuhu, Anhui, has a fine set of the 24 devas ("protective deities"); here are some of them. Guangji is known as "little Jiuhua" because the Korean monk Kim Gyo-gak (Jin Qiaojue) stayed here for three years on his way to Jiuhuashan to institute devotion to Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva there.

Posted to Reddit et al, March 27, 2025

Buddha Fragment, Jingye Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Fragment of an ancient panel featuring a Buddha, now on a small altar in the Guest Hall at Jingye Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Posted to Reddit et al, March 26, 2025 

Memorial Hall, Haizhuang Temple, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

The Memorial Hall is new, but Haizhuang Temple, Guangzhou, Guangdong, is ancient, and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. After secularization in 1932 it was a public park and at one point it was an amusement park. Restoration as a temple began in 1993. (I like to imagine monks riding the bumper cars there!)

Posted to Reddit et al, March 25, 2025

Hell Beings, Xiangjie Temple, Beijing, China

Xiangjie ("Incense or Fragrant World") Temple in Badachu Park, Beijing, had an eclectic collection of statues in a couple of pavilions outside, including these two Hell Beings.

Posted to Reddit et al, March 24, 2025

Courtyard Gate, Dabei Temple, Tianjin, China

Gateway to the so-called "West Temple," a separate compound inside Dabei Temple in Tianjin

Posted to Reddit et al, March 23, 2025

Flesh Body Pagoda, Roushendian, Jiuhuashan, Anhui, China

The Flesh Body Pagoda at Roushendian on Jiuhuashan, Anhui, is said to hold the uncorrupted body of the Korean monk named Jin Qiaojue, who was supposed to be the rebirth of Dizang (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva).

Posted to Reddit et al, March 22, 2025

Hall, Dafo Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning, China

This small nunnery, Dafo Temple in Shenyang, Liaoning, was under heavy reconstruction when I visited in August of 2011. There was pandemonium either side of this tranquil view!

Posted to Reddit et al, March 21, 2025