Section 1. The Hsi Lai temple is 15 full acres of beauty. The temple was finished with it's construction and opened in 1988 with the title Hsi Lai which means "coming to the West." This shows the
purpose of this temple and also the fulfilling of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order whose goal is to spread the teachings of Buddha in the West. The founder of this temple is the Venerable Master Hsing
Yun.
Section 2. When we first pulled into our parking spot I got out and looked at how huge the entrance was and wondered if that was the proper way for visitors to enter. As I watched people walking up
the stairs I noticed some of them going to the right side of the stairs and bowing to what looked like a statue of Buddha. I wondered if that entrance was for Buddhists only so I walked around
the building until I found the gift shop where I asked the lady inside where I should go to find out more information about Buddhism and she directed me up the stairs and to the information room. As I
walked through the doorways up the side stairs and looked into the courtyard I was amazed at the dedication of these people in their artwork and display of their religion. The first area to the left
was a fountain display of Buddha and several of his monks and followers. Also along the path were several Buddhist heroes. When I walked into the information room I asked the lady where I should
go to learn more and she gave me two information pamphlets and then directed me to two classrooms to learn more. As we walked down to the first classroom we passed by the main courtyard with the grass
and rectangular bricks in it. I assumed this has to do with the gesture of planting and picking of rice. Similar to where in Christianity we say to plant the seed and it will grow inside of you. I then noticed that not all of the monks were monks but also nuns, and they all shaved their heads. I asked one of them if this
was the correct classroom to be in and she said yes and was very nice and helpful. I noticed that as they walked through the grounds other followers seemed to bow to them. I kept trying to watch how
they bowed and wondered if I had offended the monks or nuns by not bowing to them. But I then realized I'm sure they figured I was new and didn't know anything and they were more interested in showing me
their religion then anything. So we sat in the class and learned it was about Buddhist Chanting, so I at first thought oh boy now I have to get on the ground and learn how to speak words I don't understand. I soon was proven wrong. We learned about the different robes that the monks and nuns wore. We learned that their
are three main types. 9 sheet robes, 7 sheet robes, and 5 sheet robes, there are proper names for them but I can't remember what he called them. He also told us that the robes they currently wear are
modified from the original ones in China and Tibet and etc. as the weather climates are different in those areas. He also taught us that different colors symbolized what region of the world that monk
or nun was from. He then explained the almsbowl and it's significance. Then showed us the sitting and laying sheet that they must use when bowing and etc. And also showed us how to put on the
robes properly and that the movement must be very slow and graceful. He also told us that the colors must never be black, or yellow, or geen, that they must always be almost on off color. He
also told us that when you are ordained you must always were the robes and can never wear regular clothes like we were even when going to the market. Also they must not have anything in the
external world to worry about. Also was quite interesting he told us about the three burn marks on their scalp which basically shows their commitment and that they'll never regret what they did.
However, he said women may leave the order once and men may leave seven times, which I found funny. He also said that women don't have to be virgins as in Catholicism and can be widows as well.
After the service we decided to walk around the campus and just explore a little so I read a lot of the signs by all the Buddhist heroes and then looked at the other fountain garden which had more
interesting statues of their heroes. I also learned that their are more then one Buddha and they all have their purpose. We walked around and saw a place called Bodhisattva Hall which is dedicated to
those enlightened beings who have made the vow to serve others with loving kindness and compassion and are absolutely committed to liberating all beings from suffering. I was also taught that when
they bow they are not bowing to an idol but bowing out of respect. We then walked into the main shrine where I felt awkward but pulled out my information packet that was given to me earlier and read
about the things in the room. First was the Great Bell which is rung to awaken people from their illusive dreams. Also the Great drum which is struck to spread the sound of Dharma through it's loud
sound. To the left of the room up above is Amitabha Buddha which is the teacher of the Western Pure Land. To the right is Medicine Buddha which is the teacher of Eastern Pure Land and can heal the
afflictions of the body and the mind. In the center is Sakyamuni Buddha which is the founder and teacher of Buddhism.
Section 3.
It was very interesting to me. I felt a lot of different things, first awkward, out of place, interested, wondering, beauty, etc. I thought everyone would look at us as if we were not supposed to be
there but was surprised that everyone welcomed us and noticed a lot of the people there were visitors as well. I found it very beautiful how detailed everything was built and was also interested
in learning about their culture. I found it funny that one of their monks teaching one of my classes made a lot of jokes about things I would have taken seriously if it was my religion but figured it was
a way of reaching out. Overall I had a good time and wouldn't mind going back to explore more.