The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-08-09
A TEMPLE OF BUDDHA.
One Recently Transported From Jap.


yet grown accustomed to the
worship of Buddha, aud the sight
of Japanese appealing to the gods
of their island home is one to
cause q national crauing of necks.
The shrine that is the mecca for
pious orientals is temple recent
ly set up by Japanese workmen
IN a shady corner Of Fairmount
park, Philadelphia. 1t was never
intended as q place of worship,
but was set up merely as a cur
iositv for American visitors to
the park. Just as pious Ameri-
cans in foreign land, however,
would avail themselves of the
privilege of praying and meditat-
ing in Christian church, so Japs
who live in Philadelphia, or who
go there on foreign ships, seek
the favor of their own gods IN the
quaint retreat just erected IN
Paramount PARK.
The temple Is SAID to be the on
ly one outside of Japan. The Japs
are indebted to John H. Converse
and Samuel M. Vauclain for the
privilege of worshlpping Buddha
in a foreign land. Once within
the sacred portals, Buddhists
might imagine themselves be ok
in the land of the lotus. Wide
eyed aud gentle. .vlsaged goddess.
es await the coming of the believ-
er, wonderfully carved symbols
adorn the altars, mother of pearl
incense bowls are at hand for the
faithful, and Buddhist deltles IN
various poses invite continuance
of the homage to which they were
accustomed IN the land of their
origin. 1t is very interesting,
very oriental, and ancient enough
to satisfy the most exacting lover
of the antique. The temple was
built more than 800 years ago at
the village of Furlmachi, province
ofHadachi, Japan, by Lord Satake
Giobu.no.T .Tayu, of the noble Sa-
take family, In memory of his fa-
ther, and for the peaceful rest of
his departed soul. 1t is two sto-
ries high and resem bles an In.
dian pagoda in it's architecture.
There is an outside balcony on
the second story enclrcllng the
structure, which is 45 feet high,
30 feet wide and 16 feet in depth.
It's roof is tiled, as are all Budd-
hist temples, in distinction from
Shinto temples, which are always
straw thatched. The chrysan-
themum, which is the Japanese
imperial crest, is seen prominent.
ly upon the roof. 1t was allowed
to be put there when the imperial
tablet was conferred upon the
Temple Sciouji. The two DevG
kings, Braham and lndra, stand
on either sideof the gateas guards
of the temple. Fantastic and
fabulous beasts carved out of
wood project from every beam
and support, corresponding to
the gargoyles of Christian eccIe.
siastical architecture. The old
bronze bell, which hangs on the
balcony was cast 450 years ago,
and was used to summon the de-,
vout to prayer.
In the interior of the second
floor are the shrlnes and religious
treasures The shrine Of the
Goddess of Mercy stands in the
center, guarded on each side by
two sacrhd dogs which were carv.
ed 600 years ago. Hung about
are the curious ymbals, gong j..
bells and drums which are used
in the religious ceremonies. On
the wall hangs picture of the
Buddhist paradise, painted on
silk. Eternal Buddha is seen in
one corner. The mural paintings
are by the best artists of the time,
and the design is different in each
panel.
Among the regular visitors to
the temple are members OF the
Japanese colony at the Universi.
ty ofPenusylvania. One student,
a devout worshipper of Buddha,
is almost daily visitor TO the
shrine in the park. He is always
alone, and is very careful to see
that no mocklng freshman or
sophomore follows hlm to the
scene of his devotion. Only the
flesh aud blood guardians of the
temple, and Brahma, the fierce