Buddhism Temple Experience

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Between the dates of October 7th to the 21st, I visited the Buddhist temple called the Hsi Fang temple located in San Diego, CA at Park Blvd. Although Buddhism is my religion, I never knew much about. Before visiting a Buddhism temple, I felt that my experience there was very eye opening, and gave me a whole new understanding and appreciation for Buddhist practices and beliefs. In my mind, I thought that there are a few Buddhist temples in San Diego, such as Chua Ba Thien Hau, Tinh Xa Ngoc Minh (Bhikkuni Buddhist Congregation), or Wat Lao Buddharam.
Hsi Fang, is a Chinese Ch’an and Pure Land Buddhist temple. Construction began in December of 1987, was dedicated in 1989, and was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in the same year as dedicated.
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Those were Shakyamuni, Amitabha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattava. Shakyamuni was the first Buddha that I most enjoyed learning in class. Shakyamuni was born as a wealthy prince in north India. He was prevented by his father from contacting with any religious or spiritual path that could interfere Shakyamuni becoming the next King of Shakyas. At age 29, Shakyamuni left his life of luxury, began an ascetic path, and determined to seek the truth for the sake of all sentient beings. Due to failure having his goal accomplished, he gave up his ascetic life and turned to meditation. He came to a place near the city of Gaya, sat under it and later was named the Bodhi-tree, exerting himself into meditation until his goal of enlightenment is complete. Forty-five days later, he reached his goal and was a fully awakened …show more content…
Cultivation was one of the activities that I really much loved. Dharma services are held on Sundays, and meditation sessions are conducted. Chanting of Amitabha Sutra, Universal Gate Sutra, Eight-eight Buddha’s’ Great Repentance, and more sessions were included. The 2nd activity that I most like was Education. Classes and lectures in Buddhism and special topics were also conducted in Mandarin or English regularly. I know Chinese but I am fluently at Cantonese. This was also an opportunity for me to learn how to write and read in Mandarin with no charge of fee. The temple also organizes summer camps, and holds Cantonese language classes and zither

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