a yellow POST IT note: 彌勒大佛 Maitreya Buddha & 百龙殿 Hall of a Hundred Dragons

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I have earlier posted an article on Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (如意輪觀音 in Chinese) and my visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum (BTRTM). I have earlier visited this temple during Vesak 2551 Float Parade and other brief occasions. I have always wanted to return to the temple to capture the beauty of the main Hall of a Hundred Dragons (百龙殿 in Chinese) dedicated to Maitreya Buddha (彌勒大佛 in Chinese). I have decided that I will have to divide this post into two and probably more parts, due to the reason that I have not taken enough pictures of the Maitreya Buddha (or probably lack of inspiration). However, I have spent more attention on the Hundred Buddhas. Since the last visit, it has taken me quite a while to re-visit for a photo shoot, since I do not have a the right lens, hence I would require to bring along my Manfrotto tripod or reluctantly fire my SB-600 flash. I even thought of getting a VR lens to perform the low light shooting, but till date, have not yet done so. So why have I not brought my tripod or flash along for this shoot?

I have visited Chinatown, which has already became part of my weekends and sometimes weekly itinerary. I love the Chinatown as much as I love shopping for my toys in the precinct. On this day, I have not had any intention to visit the temple for a photo-shoot, but to chill-out on a fine Sunday morning. I had my iBook along with me. I also brought along my Nikon D200 equipped with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and my Canon IXUS 40. It is a rare occasion that I brought all these equipments out together. After I was done with my coffee and blogging, I thought I would like to walk around and take some photos. Subconsciously, my feet found its way to the BTRTM. I thought I just had to enter and finish the unfinished task. Not that I would declare an end and not re-visiting the temple after I have accomplished my task, but I just felt that I have had the intention to start a series of photos collection (in my own perspective) of the BTRTM, I ought to complete it, instead of leaving it as a yet-to-be-done task. My perspective of this photo shoot was no longer targeted at the upcoming photo competition, but I felt that at the BTRTM, they are very welcoming towards photography. I do not wish to take that as a mere photography opportunity or a chance to win in a competition (such that one loses knowledge that this is still a religious place of worship), but I would like to capture the beauty of the magnificent architecture, decorations, artefacts, statues, and most importantly, the smiles of the Buddhas that express endless compassion and hopefully to record a tinge of spirituality into my pictures. I guess I have said enough, and now is the time to share the photographs (see disclaimer). As per my usual practise, I hope my post will not only be visually satisfying, but informative as well.

A Walk In The Hall of a Hundred Dragons

In the Hall of a Hundred Dragons, resides 100 Buddhas on both sides in the form of beautifully hand-crafted statues and 1,400 Buddha Gaus (A Gau is a portable shrine in which a Buddha is kept; often carried around by Vajrayana practitioners for protection and spiritual practise). Above the 100 Buddhas, 100 dragons encircles the 'skies' in the form reliefs found on the cornice of the Mezzanine floor. In this hall, is where the Maitreya Buddha sits on his throne of treasures, surrounded by an intricately-crafted Maitreya Canopy styled in traditional Tang Dynasty design, an exquisite Maitreya Five Dragons Embroidery (suggesting royalty in Chinese history) as backdrop, a pair of precious Dhvaja Banners with embroidered sutras found on both left and right-hand side of the the canopy, and a pair of Maitreya Mandala Lamps which symbolizes the Buddhist cosmic world.

Maitreya, The Buddha of the Future

Maitreya or Metteyya (मैत्रेय in Sanskrit or 彌勒 in Chinese) is usually referred as a Buddha (大佛) according to the Tantras, but sometimes as a Bodhisattva (菩薩) according to the Sutras. Bodhisattva literally translates to "Enlightened Being" who is dedicated to attaining Nirvana and have yet but near to becoming a Buddha. The name of Maitreya suggest 'universal loving kindness'. Maitreya is one who is of infinite compassion and knowledge. The image of Maitreya has been portrayed in many forms, especially in the familiar 'pot-bellied' Budai (布袋) Arhat or Laughing Buddha. Maitreya is believed to be presently residing in the Tushita Heaven, a not too distant place which is reachable through meditation, where Bodhisattvas resides until they descend and become enlightened to become Buddha. Maitreya, believed to be the successor of the Śākyamuni Buddha (I have visited the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple), will eventually descend to Earth in a most chaotic time when all Sakyamuni Buddha's teachings have disappeared from this world. Maitreya will then teach the purest Dharma to all beings, uniting all. It is also believed that those who follows the Dharma faithfully, will eventually be reborned together with Maitreya, where they will be blessed to be taught by Maitreya with the purest Dharma.

The Hundred Buddhas

In the "Sutra of the names of the One Hundred Buddhas" (佛說百佛名經 in Chinese), the names of the 100 Buddhas are mentioned. Each and every one of the 100 Buddha statues bears different mudras (gestures) and different accessories of Buddhism significance. I have spent most of my time admiring these Buddha statues. Sadly, I was only above to cover the bottom tier of Hundred Buddhas, since the upper tier seems impossible to reach without a tripod and a telephoto zoom lens. I hope to bring you more in the near future!

Temple Bell

The Temple Bell which can be found on the second floor of the Bell Tower. The ground floor of the Bell Tower is where a carved wooden Kristisgarba Bodhisattva resides. I have not spotted this bodhisattva statue yet. In the Hall of a Hundred Dragons, a temple bell is displayed. On the bell which bears the name of the BTRTM, a fierce looking creature which looked like a Kirin (麒麟), is seated on the top.

Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Hall

After the last visit to the Avalokiteśvara (觀音) Hall, the Gilt Bronze Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva were put up on the panels where the 8 Zodiac Protectors resides. More of the Zodiac Protectors to be updated on next visit. I took a picture of the Lotus Ceiling Boards in this hall with low ceiling.