Jade Buddha Temple….Buddha says “Up Yours”
The Jade Buddha Temple is beautiful, or at least it was, before it was turned into the tourist cash cow that it is today. Every square inch of the place, apart from the shrines has been turned into a retail outlet of some form, which is a tragedy for Buddhism, as much as it is for common decency. You have to pay to get in, which is fine, as the temple needs to be maintained, but you then have to pay to see the actual Jade Buddha, the reason you’ve come in the first place.
The highlight of the day, was the statue that looks like it is giving you the finger, and the lanterns, they looked great. Other than that, Longhua Temple and Jing An Temple are better.
Lastly, as a community service announcement for anyone traveling in Asia. Real Buddhists dont take cash, they go to the street to beg for food……you have been warned.
