THE LINGSHUN TEMPLE
Hangzhou is one of the cities in China where signs of Buddhism are clearly visible. Located next to the nationally renowned Lingyin Temple at the top of North Peak (Bei Gao feng) at an elevation of 314 meters, stands a smaller but equally beautiful temple, the Lingshun Temple. From Lingyin Temple, you can reach the top of the hill by climbing 1,000 steps or, for an easier option, taking a 5- to 6-minute cable car ride. There, a small pavilion and a panoramic view of the surrounding area await you.
A few steps up, we enter the temple grounds. To the left stands a massive bell, which is rung during prayers and offerings; in keeping with the temple’s mission, visitors pray here for prosperity and good health. In the center of the small square, the sight is surreal: a large, plump, and smiling golden Buddha sits beneath a modern radio tower. It’s an expressive fusion of China’s past and present: in the past, Buddha was the god, the center, the everything… while today, it’s technology (alongside Buddha, of course). The temple is a popular destination for day trips; during the Spring Festival, many people make a pilgrimage there to pray for a better life and good health for themselves and their loved ones.
May, 2019
