Aloha to Xi'an - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

We're back in Hawaii ... I still have more pictures to share of our trip to China!  I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.  It's located in southern Xian where a trendy neighborhood has grown around the temple.  From Wikipedia (link),

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Chinese: 大雁塔; pinyin: Dàyàn Tǎ), is a Buddhist pagoda located in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. It was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although the structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming Dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelerXuanzang.

The smiling statue was an omen that we would enjoy our visit.

Again from Wikipedia (link),

Close by the pagoda is the Temple of Great Maternal Grace; Da Ci'en. This temple was originally built in 589 and then rebuilt 647 in memory of his mother Empress Wende by Li Zhi who later became the Tang Emperor Gaozong.

The female Shi stands stands guards to the left of the temple ...

... and the male Shi guards on the right.

Notice the six animals on the roof to ward off evil spirits ...

... as Buddha prays inside the temple.

Even the bell beams are gilded in gold ...

Here's a god for wealth ...

 ... the ceiling is lined with oversized replicas of Chinese coins.

The gardens are home of stones with the emperor's writing.

Our guide, Betty, teaches us about the ancient tablets.

It is amazing to think that these stones have stood longer than the US has been a country.

 Even the adminstrative offices have a colorful gate.

The happy Buddha is everywhere!

Visitors leave offerings for their Chinese astrological animals.  Note that astrology flourished during the Han Dynasty - a dynasty that left its mark on Xi'an.

Xuanzang's statue stands in front of the temple gate.  From Wikipedia (link),

Xuanzang (Chinese: 玄奘; pinyin: Xuánzàng) was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang Dynasty. 

It was an inspiring morning!

Mahalo,

Kim in Korea