Temple of the Jade Buddha

Right after breakfast, we met up with our tour guide and headed to the Temple of the Jade Buddhas. Behind a non-descript exterior, this primary courtyard is surrounded by rooms, corridors and small gardens. Today has some sort of spiritual significance, which meant that the temple was full of people kneeling before statues, lighting incense and offering "ghost money" to their ancestors. My friend Matt Lee, who spent years in mainland China, maintains that seeing one temple is enough for anyone. We'll soon find out if he's right.

Some of the coolest things at this temple...


Here are two of four Buddhas, each representing the four winds. Each has a special weapon -- on the left is one wielding a musical instrument, which he uses to stun his enemies. Anyone who was party to my elementary school cello lessons can relate to this. On the right, a Buddha with a sword. Not pictured is one wielding a snake, which I'm told opens into a net, and another wielding a parasol, which he used to capture his enemies.



This jade, reclining Buddha is not one of the two for which the temple is named (no photos of those allowed), but it's representative of what you're missing. As the story goes, this Buddha is near death, but content because his 500 followers will carry on his teachings.



Sorry about the crappy photo, but this marble 1000 hands Buddha was too cool to pass up.



The two of us at the Temple of the Jade Buddha. Much more to come from our first day in Shanghai!