Faith in Heritage by Robert J Shepherd

Author:Robert J Shepherd [Shepherd, Robert J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Archaeology, Criminology
ISBN: 9781315428635
Google: d8hmDAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

The group moved outside and continued on to the inner courtyard of Tayuan Temple, where her description shifted from arguing for the empirically proven validity of a Buddhist aura (cameras do not lie) to a materialist description of the White Pagoda, speculation about what it might contain, and a reminder of the magical power monks could supposedly evoke to fight evil:

Here we are at the Great White Pagoda. It was built in the fifth year of the Yuan Dynasty, 1301, so is more than 700 years old. It is 56.37 meters high, equivalent to a nine storey building. It is as solid now as when it was built because they knew advanced architectural principles. It is constructed of bricks and is covered with white paint made from limestone. Limestone is crushed and mixed with water and made into a paste. When applied it makes the surface look like stone. Does anyone know the reason why? When this pagoda was built each brick was fitted exactly together with precise measurements and covered, and it was just as strong as if it were stone. In 2004 the white pagoda was repainted at a cost of one million yuan because this is a national and world heritage site. Just look at how big it is! In the center is an underground palace containing Buddhist relics [bones]. What exactly is in there we cannot say because it cannot be opened, but besides relics, there are the five metals (gold, silver, copper, iron and tin) as well as statues. At Xian just such an underground palace was opened up 87 years ago and excavated by archeologists. Buddhists say that seeing Buddhist relics is just like seeing Buddha, and worshipping a relic is the same as worshipping a Bodhisattva … we cannot climb on top of the pagoda but we can circle it, just like the pilgrims are doing, and turn the prayer wheels. You notice they also chant as they do this, like this: “Goddess of Mercy [Guanyin Pusa], ohm mani padmi ohm.” How many of you have seen the television drama, “Monk”? You’ve seen it, right? They [monks] have magic powers. When they want to use these powers they chant “ohm mani padmi ohm” and then they can fight evil and do good. So you all should try chanting to Guanyin, but slowly, and make sure you feel this in your heart. This way you receive her protection.

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