Winter Tour of Ci'en Temple in Shenyang

【Coral Ran】As one of the four major temples in Northeast China, Ci'en Temple, which was built in the first year of Chongzhen (1628), is also the seat of Liaoning Buddhist Association and has a history of more than 400 years.

There are a few surprises:

1. Really not big: Maybe the temples built on the mountains where I grew up looked very grand and beautiful. When I learned that this was the largest temple in Shenyang, I really walked to every corner of it (looking around in the living area). It probably refers to the urban area.

Figure 8 is a desolate northern courtyard full of debris. I accidentally entered here and didn’t want to turn back. A monk silently reminded me to leave through the small door on the side.

2. Sitting west and facing east: Ci'en Temple is not facing north and south as usual, but faces east, which reminds me of Chaoyang Temple I passed by in summer. Maybe it is to greet the sun of the new day as soon as possible.

3. There is a poetry society: My eyes lit up at that moment. This was the first time I saw a poetry society in a temple. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get in. I saw a couplet and a painting through the window. I was immediately curious about which master loved to write poetry?

4. There are many monks: Not counting the chanting/group trips I encountered before, you can see monks from time to time here, moving things, passing by in a hurry, chatting with guests while walking, or working... Every scene is very vivid, this time and space is the right way to open it!

5. Beggars: It seems like I haven’t seen dishevelled beggars on the street for many years. I met two of them in front of the temple, a man and a woman, with unfriendly faces. We passed by each other...

Post by nigellatheshigella | Dec 4, 2023