Spectacular Buddhist Ceremony on Mount Wutai

Candles in the courtyard of Shuxiang Temple, Mount Wutai, on May 20. [Photo/wutaishan.city.sohu.com]

Shuxiang Temple, on Mount Wutai, in Shanxi province had a grand, once-a-year ceremony, on May 20, with Buddhists from all over China congregating to pray to Manjusri for blessings.

There were many butter lamps around the courtyard of the temple, and monks chanting Buddhist sutras, in a scene that was full of happiness and gratitude.

Lighting candles in the temple and praying, on May 20. [Photo/wutaishan.city.sohu.com]

Shuxiang Temple is in the central part of the Wutai scenic zone and one of the five biggest Buddhist temples on Wutai. It is named after Manjusri and its most famous part is the Manjusri Hall, or Main Hall. The Chan Master, Tielinguo oversaw the construction work on the existing hall in the second year of the Hongzhi Emperor (1489) of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). There is a statue of Manjusri riding on a lion on the altar, in the center of the hall, nearly 10-meters tall and the highest statue of Manjusri on Mount Wutai.