info please

info please
Jul 14, 2005 17:57
SILKROADRETU... Points: Join Date: Jul 14, 2005 Status: offline	I have recently been in Xi'an, and in the process of sorting the photos I took, a question arose. At the Da Ci'en Temple/The Big Goose Pagoda complex, there is a statue of the Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, in his traveling attire and walking stick, outside one of the gates. The question is, is this statue facing South? My concern is that I would like to annote my photos from the top of the tower, taken from out each window. Since the "Silkroad" is to the West, I would imagine the Statue to be facing in that direction. I would really appreciate any help on this matter. Thank you in advance. SilkroadReturnee

Jul 14, 2005 17:57

SILKROADRETU...
Points:
Join Date: Jul 14, 2005
Status: offline

I have recently been in Xi'an, and in the process of sorting the photos I took, a question arose.

At the Da Ci'en Temple/The Big Goose Pagoda complex, there is a statue of the Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, in his traveling attire and walking stick, outside one of the gates.

The question is, is this statue facing South?

My concern is that I would like to annote my photos from the top of the tower, taken from out each window. Since the "Silkroad" is to the West, I would imagine the Statue to be facing in that direction.

I would really appreciate any help on this matter.

Thank you in advance.

SilkroadReturnee

Jul 14, 2005 18:11	#1
CONNY129 Points: Join Date: May 25, 2005 Status: Offline	It is facing south I think :)if I didn't misremember.

Jul 15, 2005 07:49	#2
SILKROADRETU... Points: Join Date: Jul 14, 2005 Status: Offline	Connie129 Thank you for the reply. I feel it is facing South, but still not sure. Does anyone else know for sure, since it is a MAJOR tourist site in Xi'an.

Jul 15, 2005 08:39	#3
TOMORROWNEVE... Points: Join Date: Sep 29, 2004 Status: Offline	south for sure!

Jul 15, 2005 09:00	#4
RITA Points: Join Date: May 10, 2005 Status: Offline	Yes, the statue is facing south. I have been there for a few times, I remembered it was facing south; believe it or not, in Chinese culture on Position, one of the symbol of prominent status is to "Face the south", like the Forbidden City, the yamuns in old times, temples around the country, etc, almost all face south. I guess facing south can get more sunshine, accord with Fengshui culture.

Jul 15, 2005 09:33	#5
MERMAID Points: Join Date: Jan 7, 2005 Status: Offline	It faces south. Geograhically, for most places in China, facing south means more sunlight. Historically, for centuries, invaders to China were from north, so people opened their doors to south. Later on, sitting north and facing south becomes a sign of the emperors and of high status.

Jul 15, 2005 11:07	#6
SILKROADRETU... Points: Join Date: Jul 14, 2005 Status: Offline	Mermaid, Rita, TomorrowNeverDie, and Connie129 Thank you so much for the info! Rita and Mermaid's explain it all. I for one, thought the symbolic meaning of going to and coming back for the SilkRoad would point West, but yes, culturally, South would have more meaning and prominence. Thank you all, and thanks for having this great site available!

Jul 15, 2005 11:25	#7
RITA Points: Join Date: May 10, 2005 Status: Offline	If it faced west, we have the explanation, too, for somewhere (I am not sure where exactly) in West is the Buddhists' Elysium, it is also normal for the Buddha sculpture facing west.

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