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?
Read more about Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
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, which allowed me to make this post. 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.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF MAITREYA BUDDHA
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!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL PICTURES OF THE 100 BUDDHAS IN COMPLETE GALLERY
Temple Bell
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.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PICTURES OF THIS SERIES
REFERENCES
Maitreya Project
Maitreya Project (Chinese)
Maitreya from Wikipedia
新加坡佛牙寺龍華院 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum
光明山普觉禅寺 Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
新加坡大悲佛教机构 Tai Pei Buddhist Organisation
佛說百佛名經
DISCLAIMER
Please respect the copyrights of the photographs in this post by retaining the original watermark and not editing or altering in any ways, any part of the pictures. Please support my work by linking back to this post via this address: http://mybearbrick.blogspot.com/2007/07/maitreya-buddha-hall-of-hundred-dragons.html
technorati tags
Singapore Buddhism Buddha Bodhisattva Buddha+Tooth+Relic+Temple+and+Museum Maitreya
Photography Nikon D200 Tamron
Comments
Recently there was some debate in ST about the Buddha tooth, human vs non-human .... what do you think?
In my opinion, to believe or not is up to the individual. It is not good to judge and question its genuineness, furthermore spread this disbelief in the mass media, like the famous "Da Vinci Code", which created a stir.
To me, Buddhism is about a practise than belief, teachings (though I have not officially studied them) of the Dharma is about a Way of Life. All these cannot be explained in one day. This Way of Life is about the Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths.
Eightfold Path
Right View (understanding)
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Contemplation (concentration)
Four Noble Truths
1. Dukkha: Suffering exists:
The first truth is that life is suffering i.e. life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, boredom, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger.
2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering.
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and the needing to control things. It can take many forms: the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.
3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering.
The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf let go of our craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.
4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.
The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.
Explaining each and everyone is going to take me days. So you can try to google on them. Ultimately, they all make sense to me, I respect them, and I do not doubt or challenge every single statement. Put it in layman terms, everything that is taught is Good and Humane, all life forms are equal. I try hard to practise and follow it, though it is very hard and some seems almost impossible. That is why I am not 'Ready'.
Though I am a person of science, and to some extent accept the claims that are backed with documentation, but there are still many things that science cannot explain. I take the comments with a pinch of salt and continue to strive and make myself follow the Way of Life that makes all sense to me.
william said ....I try hard to practise and follow it, though it is very hard and some seems almost impossible. That is why I am not 'Ready'......
Yes it is difficult .... because we are human.