betheme/index.php
September 7, 2017

Mahāvira Hall (front view)

The construction of the original Mahāvira Hall began in 1904 and was completed in 1907. For more than a century, this Hall had undergone both restoration and renovation. Located along the central axis from south to north, this is the most important and most decorated hall in the monastery. Inside the Hall, there are Buddhas of the three worlds, all sitting cross-legged on the altar. In the centre enshrines the Śākyamuni Buddha, the master of this world, Read More...

September 7, 2017

Mahāvira Hall (rear view)

Behind the Śākyamuni Buddha enshrines a white Jade Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva from Myanmar since 1903, facing north towards the Dharma Hall. Always ready and capable of rendering help, this goddess of mercy had become a saviour of all sentient beings in perils and distress through his various transformations and skillful means.

September 7, 2017

Hall of the Celestial Kings (Maitreya Bodhisattva)

Built originally in 1905, this Hall now houses the statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva in the centre, the four Celestial kings on both sides and the Skanda Bodhisattva behind the Maitreya Bodhisattva but facing the Mahavira Hall. The Hall is grand and captivates with its high ceiling and pillars which feature intricate dragon carvings and other beautiful decorative pieces. All the beams in the hall, are constructed according to a wooden framing system most commonly found Read More...

September 7, 2017

Hall of the Celestial Kings (Skanda Bodhisattva)

Behind the Maitreya Bodhisattva stands the Skanda Bodhisattva, looking to the North of the Monastery. In Chinese Buddhism, he is a devoted guardian of Buddha’s teachings, and manifests always as a majestic general, clad in full armor, mighty and brave with a vajra in hand.

September 7, 2017

Hall of the Celestial Kings (Four Celestial Kings)

On both sides of this Hall, are the four celestial kings whose vow is to protect the four quarters of the universe. King Chíguó of the East (Dhr̥tarāstra Deva in Sanskrit), controls the eastern continent and rules over the gandharvas and piśācas, using the musical instrument pipa in his hand. For King Zēngzhǎng of the South (Virūdhaka Deva), he is dedicated to help all beings and protects the southern continent with the sword in his hands. King Guǎngmù Read More...

September 7, 2017

Guan Yin Dian

Guan Yin Dian is located at the far eastern end of the monastery. Within the Hall, in the centre, is the personification of compassion – a 11.2metres tall Guan Yin Pu Sa (also known as Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva in Sanskrit), with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. The vacant walls, above the doors on the two sides, were filled with 3000 copper figures of Avalokiteśvara bodhisattva, all seated, calm and dignified.