Tuesday, April 26, from 12:30-2:00pm
B123 SW second floor lounge
Not open to the public, for DRBU community only
“Secrets Behind Traditional Chinese Buddhist Temple Architecture and Art” explores the historical ideas behind the architecture and art of traditional Mahayana Chinese temples and monasteries. Guest speaker Andy Ferguson will examine a range of influences, including religious, philosophical, and political forces that contributed to how Mahayana Buddhist temples were traditionally arranged and constructed in China.
Andy Ferguson is a graduate in Chinese Studies from the University of Oregon and a friend of Rev. Heng Sure. He lived in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore for many years, gaining proficiency in Chinese and traveling extensively in China as well as other countries in East and Southeast Asia. As a Chan practitioner, he translated the teachings of ancient Chan masters in his book Zen’s Chinese Heritage: The Masters and their Teachings (Wisdom Publications 2000/2011). The book is an exhaustive survey of the lives and teachings of the most famous Chan masters of ancient China. Subsequently, Andy organized and led tours of Buddhist practitioners to visit a large number of Chinese temples where the ancient Chan masters lived and taught. He paid special attention to the early Chan masters, including the traditional founder of Chan Buddhism, Bodhidharma. This led to another book entitled Tracking Bodhidharma (Counterpoint Press 2012) that explores little known details about that historical figure and his important role as the founder of the Chan tradition. Andy has lectured and held workshops widely at locations such as Cambridge University and Beijing University. Andy’s written works and his graphics such as “The Map of the Zen Ancestors” have gained a following in China.