The Jing'an Temple . . .

All I knew was that it was covered in gold; literally. And that it was the only word me and my taxi driver could understand from each other.

He was a crazy crazy driver, yo!  But he got me there.

Located right in the heart of tall skyscrapers, and the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, and just a few mere steps away from a huge luxury mall is... 

The Jing'an Temple.

The name translates in Chinese to "Temple of Peace and Tranquility”.  It’s a Buddhist temple located in the Jing'an District of Shanghai -- which was named after the temple.  

The temple has a history of more than 780 years. It was first built in 247 AD; was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty; and was renovated into this, in 2010.

People don't mind the rain here in Shanghai. They were standing in it, lighting incense and saying prayers. Me too!

When I walked onto the grounds, my jaw dropped.  So stunning.  The temple is U-shaped, with 3 main halls.  Each with its own courtyard, dating from 1880.

People lighting incense by the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

To the left is the Hall of the Three Saints.

And in the center is The Precious Hall of the Great Hero
 (this is the main hall).

I headed upstairs to see what I could find.

The walkway ledges throughout are made of white jade (looks and feels like soap stone). This is a lotus flower.

I wasn't even ready for this magnitude of loveliness.

This Buddhist Goddess of Mercy is made out of thousand-year old camphor wood. She stands on a lotus-shaped base, and weighs 5 tons.

Close up of the base and her offering table.

Lots of detail. Reminds me of the replica slave ships I have seen in Leimert Park.

All around her are silk sashes hanging from the walls.

I kept walking.  So very curious.  I had no idea how peaceful I would feel in this place that has such precise detail, everywhere.

Functional sitting chairs in the hallways.

The craftsman ship is amazing.

Next, I entered the Hall of Three Saints.  Inside are three Stone Buddhas from the Southern and Northern Dynasties period (420-589 AD).

Notice the lotus flowers at the base of the columns.

The silver bins in front of all these statues are for monetary donations.

 Then I walked up the steps to the main hall.  And I felt a few butterflies.  I knew it would be stunning, but had no idea of what quite to expect.

This stone carving of 2 fish reminded me of my dear friend Shauna who shares my birthdate, and I think the same birth time too!  But I was still stalling, a bit timid to uncover what was waiting for me in the main hall.

WHOAH!!!

Oh yeah, you have to step down into each room.

WHOAH!  WHOAH!  WHOAH!

This Buddha is the largest statue in all of China.  It is made of jade and weighs 11 tons. He sits on a lotus flower base.

The offering table.

Details.

Details.

Buddha has a right-hand man.

So regal.  And holding a sword.  So in other words: "Don't get it twisted. We WILL fight you. And win."

When you walk out of the main hall, this is what you see.

All of this beauty changed me just a little bit.

This one is for my Grandmother-in-law, my Mother-in-law, and my 2 cousin-in-laws, who are all proud Deltas.

The Pagoda.  People were throwing coins into it and saying prayers around it.

The monks living quarters.  This is behind the main hall. 

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.” - Buddha 

~SS