Incense and Awe

Today I started my research for my Ricci project on sacred space by going
to the Yonghegong Temple in Beijing. When I existed the subwaystation I
was immediately aware that I was close to the temple. The street
was lined with little shops selling incense to be burned in front of
temples, Buddhist prayer beads, and other religious goods. I began to
smell the incense wafting over the walls of the temple before I arrived
at the entrance. I was the only white person standing in line with the
many Chinese people who were all holding bundles of incense. I’m glad
I’ve learned some basic numbers inChinese so I could ask to buy one
ticket. I walked toward the path and the closer I got to the main gate
the stronger the smell of incense became (fortunately it is a smell I
love). When I entered the temple complex through the main gate I was
overcome with the beauty of the temple and the beauty of the
people praying. It was hard to believe the number of believers lighting
incense, bowing in prayer, and offering incense to Buddha. There were
people of all ages from teenagers to the elderly and dressed in
everything from simple traditional outfits to high heels and fashionable
coats.

I felt like I was intruding on a very private beautiful moment of prayer.
For a long time I just stood and watched as people offered incense and
prayed bowing down on their knees. Finally I got up the courage to
walk inside one of the temple halls and since the young monk at the
entrance didn’t stop me I figured it was okay. Even though I am not a
Buddhist I truly felt like I was walking on sacred ground and was very
moved by the experience. The giant gold Buddha in the hall I entered was
beautiful. The emotion I felt when I entered the temple hall and saw it
transported me back to the first time I stepped into Saint Peter’s
Basilica in Rome. I was in awe of the beauty and mystery of the temple
hall. It was an indescribable experience. It was so moving for me, and so
prayerful. Even my prayer had no words I felt a powerfulsense of prayer
in my heart. When I exited the temple I remembered why I had come to
China and why I am a religious studies major: to experience these
kinds of places, to study them, and to grow in my understanding of the
world and myself. Going to yonghegong temple was an extraordinary experience
and I can’t wait to visit more Buddhist temples in Beijing.