CHINA | Sunday, 9 November 2008 | Views [354]
Visitors praying outside one of the temple buildings.
I read this on a plaque by one of the temple buildings and I found it interesting: I've reworded it slightly because it wasn't written in very understandable English.)
To pray, light an incense stick and offer it to Buddah, Dharma, Sangah and to all living beings. You're not suppose to blow the incense out, as that's a sign of irreverence. You have to wave the stick around until it goes out.
Then you imagine Buddha and Bodhisattva appear in front of you to accept the offering. Then you worship Buddha in front of a statue of him. You bow three times and every time you rise up, recite "I worship the eternal Triple Jewels (Buddah, Dharma and Sangah) in the ten directions of space.
Then you make your vows. Kneel down with your palms joined together to make your vows sincerely. Then recite: "I vow to save the numberless living beings. I vow to cut off the endless afflictions. I vow to study the countless Dharma doors. I vow to realise the supreme Buddha way." Then proceed to give an account of your own wishes before the statue of Buddha.
