28 June 2007

Hi again!

I've been blogging a lot, but today I went to the Lama (Yong He Gong) Temple--an experience that definitely merits an entry.

At about 2pm this afternoon, I took a taxi to the Lama Temple. According to my Eyewitness Travel guide book, this temple complex "was constructed during the 17th century and converted into a Tibetan lamasery in 1744. Its five man halls are a stylistic blend of Han, Mongol and Tibetan motifs." Since I didn't know what "Han, Mongol and Tibetan motifs" were, this description didn't give me much of a hint as to what to expect.

The temple complex, however, was fantastic. Most striking was its sheer size--I walked through one, two, three nearly-identical, fantastically-painted halls housing (1) statues of Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings (2) statues of three manifestations of Buddha and (3) "a statue of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism." Each hall's decorations were elaborate: flowery multicolor designs covered the walls and ceilings, the Buddhas were gold, with painted faces, and were flanked by vases of red and yellow plastic flowers. Each room was hazy and sweet with incense. The buildings were, without question, spectacular--though I was surprised at the complex's slightly run-down state.

The Lama Temple's highlight, my guidebook says and I agree, is a 55-foot statue of the Future Buddha carved from a single block of sandalwood. I walked into the furthest and last temple, expecting life-sized Buddhas, but instead came face-to-face with a very elaborate big toe. I had no idea that the building I'd walked into was so tall, much less that there was a David-sized statue hidden within it. The statue was painted the gold-bronze color of Aladdin's lamp, and in its hands held yards and yards of blue and yellow fabric.

Making my way back towards the entry gate, I stopped in a small souvenir shop: a bad idea in China, since the salespeople inevitably hassle you until you buy something. I walked in because there were beautiful (albeit probably fake) silk robes hanging up just outside the door. Their price? 480RMB, or $63. Too expensive. And thus began my first bargaining experience, because when I said "太贵" and left, the saleswoman followed me and said, "for you, 250." Still too much. But 150, or 19 bucks? I bought the robe. It's gold, and beautiful, and I can't wait to sleep in it!