Behind this
large temple opens another court and on a terrace above it stands the
hall of the Law with the images of Kuan Yin, the goddess of Mercy, and
the twenty-four devas. Here also are small images of viceroys and
patrons of the monastery.
The hillsides are dotted with numerous temples and shrines. There is one
to Chu-Hsi, the great philosopher of the Sung dynasty, who was born in
Fukien. In it are preserved a few characters indited by his hand. On the
west side of the monastery are large buildings for the housing of
animals released by merit-seeking devotees. Here cows, hogs, goats,
chickens, geese and ducks spend their old age without fear of beginning
their transmigration by forming the main portion of a Chinese feast.
The monastery is governed by an abbot, usually a man of good business
ability, elected by the monks. Under him are the officers of the two
wings or groups of attendants. One set looks after the spiritual
interests, of the monks; the-other takes care of their material needs:
The monks have worship about two o'clock in the morning and again at
about four in the afternoon. The rest of the long day they spend in
meditation, or study, in strolling about the mountain side or in sleep.
Their life is separated from all stirring contact with the life of the
world.
_2. Monasteries Control Feng-shui_
This monastery with its appointments is a good type of the monasteries
all over China. It was founded at the request of the inhabitants of the
neighborhood, because the dragons of the region used to cause much
damage to the crops in the surrounding country.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44