Hi Tricia!

Tricia Wang loves NYC and the world! DISCLAIMER: DON'T TAKE THIS BLOG TOO SERIOUSLY!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

My Trip to Badachu Gong Yuan - buddhist temple I have...




Badachu Gong Yuan (Park); Beijing, China

I haven't paid my respects at any of the "popular" buddhist temples around town b.c they are filled with tourists and scary buddhas (Yonghegon). So finally I found one I like - Badchu!
I went with Qian to Badachu - farther west of the popular Fragrant Hills Park (XianShan Gong Yuan) - it's very peaceful and out in the mountains. We had to go to the Jishaitan Subway 2 Line stop, then take the 347 bus (very dilapidated) for 1 hour to reach this temple. Upon arrival - you have people clamoring to sell you incense, ask for money, read your "facial" fortune and etc. There are 8 levels to climb - we reached the 6th today. You're supposed to pray/pay/give your respects when you climb to each new level where there's also a new type of buddha - but we didn't do that at every level.
I thanked the universe for taking care of me, giving me many lessons. I thank you the universe for bringing so many wonderful people of all sorts into my life and to continue taking care of them, I thanked my grandparents and mother for raising me, asked for help - in that I need help in being patient with those who are stupid or I don't like too much. And most importantly, I asked Buddha to take care of my grandmother. So no, I didn't ask for anything all world encompassing like stopping hunger or increasing the love.
Upon our way back - the 347 broke down at least 4 times - but everytime it started back up after some nasty nasty fumes. In my blog (triciawang.blogspot.com) you can view other still pictures from Badachu. There's some funny English translations and juxtapositions of "games."

1. Badachu Buddhist Temple: Guns For your Pleasure

Badachu Gong Yuan - Big Eight Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

this shooting guns game is on the way down from the 7th temple level. If you use the gun to shoot the red center - you can use your points to buy either hello kitty stuffed animals or red buddhist prayer beads and trinkets on the right. Is this called irony?

2. Badachu Buddhist Temple : Funny English Translation

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

4. Buddhist Temple: Long Incense

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

I just stuck my pink incense into the pit after I prayed - now I will go inside the temple.

3. Buddhist Temple: Incense Cones

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

cone incense - love the intricate dragon iron work

5. Badachu Buddhist Temple: knealing

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

inside the temple - 2nd level

6. Badachu Buddhist Temple: Red Lanterns 1

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

8. Badachu Buddhist Temple: hanging Red Lanterns 3

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

There are a lot of lanterns!!!

7. Badachu Buddhist Temple: Red Lanterns 2

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

Red Lanterns can be purchased for 50cents and you can write whatever you want and hang it up.

9. Badachu Buddhist Temple: Little Girl

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

Little Girl coming out of temple - I just love how she has tons of little pig tails coming out of her head.

11. Badachu Buddhist Temple: Me outside the Entrance

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

10. Badachu Buddhist Temple: incense offering

Badachu Gong Yuan - Buddhist Temple; Beijing, China

Offering incense right now - then I will stick in the pit, then go inside the temple

Lambs with special hot pot


Lambs with special hot pot
Originally uploaded by triciawang.
Dongzhimen; Beijing, China

everyone puts their desired amount and type of raw food into the pot - and then in 10 secs it's done! the speciality during the winter is to eat lambs with hot pot b.c the lamb helps the body keep warm during the winters.