James Baquet

    jamesbaquet@gmail.com

    A TEMPLE’S main hall may have various names. In most temples, the figure seated at the center of the altar will be the historic Buddha, Shakyamuni, so the hall is called the Precious Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian). This may also be translated Mahavira Hall (mahavira is Sanskrit for great man or hero ).

    Typically, then, the historic Buddha sits in the center of the altar, often flanked by his disciples Ananda and Kashyapa. He may hold an object interpreted as a jewel or sutra container; be touching the earth; or fold his hands in a meditative gesture.

    In many temples, there will be a Buddha on either side of him.

    If the three Buddhas are identical, these are probably the Buddhas of the Three Times. The two on either side would be Dipankara (Chinese Randeng Fo), representing the past, and Maitreya (Mile Fo, often seen as a fat, jolly monk in the first hall), the Buddha of the Future.

    More often, the two Buddhas on either side will be Amitabha (Amito Fo), Buddha of the Western Pure Land, who holds a lotus symbolizing spiritual potential; and the Medicine Buddha (Yaoshi Fo, in Sanskrit Bhaishajyaguru), who holds a pagoda and has the power of physical healing, as his name suggests.

    In still other temples, the figures on either side of the Buddha are the Bodhisattvas Samantabhadra (Puxian), sometimes seated on a tame elephant representing his victory over the mind; and Manjushri (Wenshu) possibly seated on a lion, whose roar represents the wisdom of the Buddha going out into the world.

    We’ll look at the other figures inside the main hall next time.