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Jade Buddha Temple

** Abbot's Office

The Hall in the third row of the temple is the Abbot's Office. In the courtyard, there are two bronze bells on the two sides. On the southern wall from the east to the west hang 16 black wooden plates with gilded characters that mean: "Commitment," "End of Salute," "Beginning of Summer Lectures," "Beginning to Preach with a Whisk," "End of Seven-day Meditation," "Beginning of Seven-day Meditation," "Explanation of Commandments," "Random Explanation," "Recitation of Disciplines," "Repentance," "Transmission of Commandments," "Fasting," "Ceremony of the Abbot Taking his Seat," "Prophetic Record," "Preaching Buddhist Dharma" and "Assembly in the Hall." These plates mark the most important Buddhist rituals at the Buddhist Chan Temple. According to monastery rules, each important activity in a temple must be announced by hanging a plate to inform all of the monks and workers to prepare for an activity.

The Abbot's Office is the place where the abbot of the temple preaches to his disciples. The Abbot's Office of the Jade Buddha Temple is now also a place where the abbot receives important guests and Buddhist delegations from home and abroad. On the second floor is the famous jade Buddha. (This is why the house is called the Jade Buddha Hall.) In addition, various Buddhist sutras are stored there, which is why it is also called the Tripitaka Library.

** Sleeping Buddha Hall

In the Sleeping Buddha Hall of the Jade Buddha Temple are two Sleeping Buddhas.

The big Buddha, which is 4 meters in length and carved and polished with a piece of a whole jade stone, was carried back from Singapore by Master Zhen Chan, the 10th abbot of the temple. The small sleeping Buddha and the one in a seated posture in the Jade Buddha Hall were brought back from Burma by the old master Huigen. The small Buddha is 0.96 meters long and exquisitely carved in green jade stone. The sleeping Buddha lies on his side with his right shoulder and right side exposed. His right hand rests under his head and his left hand sits on his left thigh. The posture is called the "auspicious sleeping posture".

The Sleeping Buddha's countenance is serene: His eyes are opened slightly and the corners of his mouth form a delicate smile, which displays the expression of Sakyamuni when he left us quietly. The sculpture's clothing appears elegant due to the smooth lines.


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