Jing'an Temple, Shanghai

And oh, the Jing'an Temple!

As per the piece of history printed in their ticket, the shrine was first built in 247 AD in the Wu Kingdom. This temple is considered to have played a significant role in the evolution of Chinese Buddhism over the last 1740 plus years.

A huge monastery behind with hundreds of rooms for monks is a must-see.

As Dharma is the guiding pillar of this temple, Indians should or should not be surprised by seeing Ashoka Chakra and the four lions (the Indian national emblem) all around with a lot of Chinese and Indian (Sanskrit) motifs and representations.

The frescos and the huge ceramic work behind the main Buddha statue show stories from India, I think, with women in Sarees, Indian ornaments, Buddha as a young king (with the holy thread around his shoulders!) and structures probably denoting Hindu temples. It was one great monument!

How beautiful!

The Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai

The Jade Buddha Temple - well maintained. The ritual of visitors calligraphically writing the Chinese prayers (on pre-printed scrolls) was new to me. Could take hours!

Woodworks Section, The Shanghai Museum

A mixture of sophistication and tribal designs - the pillows, jars and baskets, really rich in design.

Sculpture Section

I captured a lot of stories - mostly Buddhist representations not as intricate as you would see in India. But tracing how Buddha and his representations along with Sakyamuni, Avalokiteswara and other forms change over 1500 years is truly interesting. From India to Gandhara style to finally Chinese Buddha...