加拿大正覺寺
The monks of Zhengjue Temple have established Buddhist temples in four cities in Canada, dedicated to promoting the true faith of Buddhism. Here, we sincerely invite you to delve into the Buddhist scriptures, share the wisdom of Buddhism, and participate in the rich Dharma propagation activities of various temples. Please note: The website is still being updated!
Ching Kwok Buddhist Temple
The old site of Mui Kwok Buddhist Temple was established in 1990 and completed in 1994. The old site is located in Chinatown in downtown Edmonton.
It was rebuilt in 2006, and the new site was put into use in 2021. It was consecrated and completed in 2024. It is now located in the northern part of Edmonton and continues to preach to the people in the city.
The Main Hall is the core space of the temple. This solemn and tranquil space is simple and
clean. The Main Hall enshrines three Buddhas: Sakyamuni Buddha, Bhaiṣajyaguru (Medicine
Buddha) and Amitabha Buddha.
The Buddha in the middle is the historical Buddha and founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni
Buddha. The Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in India 2500 years ago.
The Buddha fully understood the true nature of reality and used that knowledge to guide all
sentient beings to leave dukkha (suffering) behind and achieve nirvana (quiescence).
To the left of the Buddha is the Medicine Buddha, Bhaiṣajyaguru. He made 12 great vows, from
the Medicine Buddha Sutra, to relief all sentient beings of their suffering. He holds a pagoda
symbolizing the true teachings will triumph over and ensure all who practice Buddha Dharma
prosperity and longevity.
To the right of the Buddha is Amitabha Buddha of the Western Pure Land of Bliss (Sukhāvatī).
He made 48 great vows to receive all who revere his name to be reborn in his pure land. He
holds a lotus platform symbolizing purity and rebirth in the pure land.
Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin) Bodhisattva is enshrined to the left of the Buddhas. Guan Yin uses
skillful means to alleviate suffering from sentient beings. Maitreya Bodhisattva is enshrined to
the right of the Buddhas. Maitreya is the next Buddha in waiting with a joyful and kind
appearance. Both Bodhisattvas embody the loving kindness (maitri) and compassion (karuna)
of Buddha’s teachings.
Since then, we had a huge growth of followers and grow out of the old temple. As a result, the temple was relocated in 1994 to its present location at 300 Bathurst Street, just minutes away from its previous location.
Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin) Bodhisattva is from the mythical Mount Potalaka in the South Indian
Sea. A common saying in Chinese is “Every family knows Amitabha Buddha and every
household knows Guan Yin Bodhisattva.” Describes how Guan Yin is the most revered and
enshrined Bodhisattva not only in Buddhism but in Oriental Culture.
In the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Universal Gate chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha
explains how Guan Yin’s great vow of compassion enables Guan Yin to appear in innumerable
forms to lift sentient beings out of suffering.
Due to the different types of hardships that we endure in life, enshrining Guan Yin not only
reminds us of Guan Yin’s compassion but also allows us to emulate and grow our
compassionate nature to bring happiness to others.
Maitreya means kindness in Sanskrit. In Chinese culture Maitreya often takes the form of a
large belly, happy monk carrying a large sack. The large sack is known as a “Budai”, so he is
often referred to as Budai monk or the laughing Buddha. This form is known in Chinese culture
as an embodiment of Maitreya representing the ability to endure and persevere through
hardship while remaining joyful and uplifting to others.
Hall of Merit (Hall of Remembrance)
Hall of Merit or Hall of Remembrance is located behind the Main Hall. This hall enshrines
Kṣitigarbha (Earth Store Bodhisattva). Kṣitigarbha’s filial piety is described in the Kṣitigarbha
Sutra. After witnessing his mother in the Hell realm, He made a vow “To not attain Buddhahood
until the Hell realm is empty” and dedicates all his time to lift all sentient beings out of suffering.
Plaques along the wall is remembrance for belated monastics, laity and patron ancestors and
past loved ones. With Kṣitigarbha’s guidance we wish all those who came before us can be
reborn in a better place.
Five Contemplation Hall (Dining Hall)
The dining hall in a Chinese temple is officially called the Five Contemplation Hall. This large space can be used for various activities. Free vegetarian lunch is offered every Saturday after regular religious services.
The Five Contemplations is used to guide all in how to be mindful even during meal times
1. Calculate how much work is done for this amount to come from other places: Contemplate where our meal comes from (farmers, transport, preparation etc.) and have gratitude for all the work others have done to prepare our meal
2. Consider if one’s conduct is complete or incomplete to receive this food: Contemplate on our own conduct and virtue, are we deserving of this meal and do we need to conduct ourselves more wholesomely.
3. With guarding of the mind from faults, greed and other poisons as the goal: Contemplate if our minds are driven by greed and other poisons (anger, ignorance, arrogance etc.) Ensure we are not wasteful or harmful when consuming our meals
4. Properly take as medicine, for curing the body’s withering state: Understand that our meal is a means to ensure we have a healthy form and not to indulge in extravagance or pleasure of food.
5. For accomplishing the path, should we be receiving this food: Our meal is to ensure we have a form strong enough to continue the Buddha Dharma path with the results of one day attaining Buddhahood.
Eighteen Arhats and Lotus sutra pagoda
Eighteen Arhats are a common group of statues often seen in Chinese Buddhist temples. The origins of this grouping of arhats is recorded in the scripture Fazhu Ji. According to this text, before the Buddha entered Parinirvana (death), he instructed 16 of his enlightened disciples (arhats) to not enter nirvana and remain ever present in the human and deva realm to provide future beings a source for merit. Two other arhats were later added to the group of 16 and became widely popular in China around the Song and Yuan dynasty.
The Lotus sutra pagoda is a serene and solemn structure placed in front of the 18 arhats. On the pagoda are carvings of selected text from the Lotus sutra and names of Buddhas mentioned in the Sutra. Within the body of the sutra is a copy of the Lotus Sutra. The entire view emulates
the 18 arhats paying respects to the pagoda, symbolizing the importance of this sutra. This sutra holds significant importance to the Tiantai school and represents our temple’s mission to propagate the teachings in the Lotus Sutra.
Six Guan Yin Pond
Master Zhiyi’s renowned meditation manual Mohe Zhiguan describes Guan Yin Bodhisattva
using six different embodiments to interact with sentient beings of the six realms and lift beings
out of suffering. The six realms are Deva (heaven), human, asura, animals, hungry ghost and
hell.
Qielan Shrine (God of the Land)
Qielan Bodhisattva is enshrined in this structure with a form that resembles the God of the Land
in Chinese culture. In Chinese culture this deity’s main purpose is to protect inhabitants of a
particular parcel of land (in this case the temple grounds). All cultural deities are accepted in
Buddhism as beings who bring benefits to others and protect Buddhism and patrons from harm.
Qielan Bodhisattva is revered here as thanks to his role in ensuring the temple, its monastic
residence and patrons are protected from harm and the Buddha Dharma can persist.
Fragrant Hill Hall
Fragrant Hill Hall is the name given to a residential building one street away from the
main temple complex. This house was given the name by Ven Jianzong as a
commemoration to his great grand master Ven. Baisheng. Ven. Baisheng’s lineage
originates from the Temple of Fragrant Hill in China. This hall symbolizes the ideal of
remembrance of the temple’s heritage.
