Lama Temple (not Llama Temple) is a very special place in China.  This is where Tibetan monks worship  which also attracts many local Chinese Buddhists to pray. This is the entrance for the temple; however, we walked through an additional 4 gates to explore the whole area.

Before we entered the Lama Temple, our director Han Bing bought us packets of incense. At the entrance of each gate, people burn 3 sticks of incense as they pray to Buddha.  We were told that if we pray for something, it is good to promise to give something in return.  So for example, if you pray for good grades it is customary to give a monetary donation to Buddha. I noticed how dedicated people were when they prayed.  Almost nothing could distract them in those minutes of prayer and reflection.

As we went through each gate, the buildings got larger and more elaborate. 

We got to see the rooms where the monks studied and the many different statue interpretations of Buddha. 

This isn’t the best quality photo but under the poorly lit room conditions it’s the best I could do. So this is the world’s largest Buddha statue made from one single piece of wood.  Yup, you heard right! This massive (almost two-stories high) Buddha is carved from one piece of wood and has a gold outer coat. Don’t believe me…

From visiting this temple, I learned a lot more about Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan monks.  Most of the basic information I actually already knew from visiting Dharmsala, India.  This is where the Tibet government-in-exile is located as well as the main temple where the Dalai Lama prays.  Being Tibetan monks, they had a lot to say about China and how the Tibetan people and their religion has been affected. 

Han Bing gave us the basic run down of the Lama Temple but started to go into more detail about its importance to the Tibetan Buddhists.  This is the location where future lamas were chosen and studied.  Since the denouncement of the Dalai Lama by the Chinese government and the disappearance of the Tibet chosen Panchen Lama, this subject is very sensitive in China.  When Han Bing spoke to our group about it, we immediately noticed a older Chinese man hanging around our group.  He wasn’t trying to hide the fact that he was listening to what Han Bing was telling us.  Although he eventually walked away when we changed subjects, Han Bing said he was most likely working for the government.  Apparently at sensitive sites like these, under cover Chinese officials will hang around and listen.  That was definitely a site to see!

We spent about 5 hours in the area and I was dead tired.  I couldn’t even stand for this picture.  However, the three Chinese men directly behind me apparently jumped in the picture.  My roommate (the photographer) said as soon as they saw I was getting my picture taken they nonchalantly posed behind me!  So that was my trip to the Lama Temple.  I couldn’t find any llamas but it was still worth the trip.