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The Entrance to Falun Hall.
Falun Hall is named after the classical Temple Instrument the Fa Lun.
2 examples of the Fa Lun are on exhibit in front of the Hall.
This page was last updated on: January 22, 2008
Beihai Park and the White Dagoba
The Central Buddha Deity displayed on a Lotus Flower so as to depict it's heavenly rather than earthly state. It is flanked by 2 protecting disciple Gods.
In front a small kneeling pad for worshipping the Deity.
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The Buddha with it's offerings at FaLun Hall. The names of the disciples or protector Gods is indiscernable. For anyone not familiar with buddhism it is all a bit hard to follow anyway.
Lotus Flowers on woven Silk enhance the Heavenly surroundings , as do the the Peony Flower offerings and the esotherical scents.
Yong An Temple - Fa Lun Hall
The Entrance to Falun Hall.
Falun Hall is richly decorated with colorfully woven silks. Multiple Buddhist Gods are enshrined here with their accompanying symbols and ritual offerings on display.
4 protector Gods flank the central Buddha on each side standing on Lotus Flowers each with their own offering of flowers.
The 5 tipped crowns signify an enlightened heavenly creature.
The Central shrines at Falun Hall are lined by another set of 9 Buddha's at each side , making a total of 18.
The 18 buddha's sit in different positions, carry different symbolic weapons and other items and make symbolic hand gestures.
In buddhism these symbolic hand gestures are known as mudra or mudra's.
For a non-buddhist it is all a bit too much to discern in one go.
Best enjoy the wonderful athmosphere and the lively impressions that the gods make on the visitor. Each statue is a lesson in itself ( a " Dharma " ) and means to inspire the right moods for concentration and meditation hoping this will inspire the right insight for you to ascend to a new level of enlightenment.
Overview of Falun Temple Hall and western row of statues.
Clausenet Ching Style Chinese offering Pot. The design refers to ritual chinese pottery from as early as the Warring Nations period.
Leaving Falun Hall through a cleverly designed passageway at the back of the Shrine building. After passing either East or West past the row of Buddha's we find ourselves at the back between shady trees.
Freshly restored Ming and Ching Dynastic style paintings adorn the roofing and panels. We see a peony flower ( the Chinese National Flower ) as well as the familiar Imperial Golden Dragon.
The circle-like flowers are highly styled versions of the Lotus, which signifies Purity.
Having completed our First Yong An Temple shrine hall we find ourselves at the bottom of a large and steep stone staircase.
As we look up toward the majestic White Dagoba our mood is once again transformed and we are ready to ascend one level further into Nirvana or Heaven.
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The heavenly buddhas of the 3rd period ( Maitreya )are dressed in kingly golden clothes, richly adorned with jewelry.
The wall behind is decorated with heavely cloud-swirls.
