EASTern &WESTern
TEMPLE
Minh MAI
Photographs and Design by Minh Mai Printed and bound in Philadelphia, PA Fireball Printing 3237 Amber St Box 3 Floor 5, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Copyright Š 2016 by Minh Mai All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
EAST ern TEMPLE WESTern A BOOK BY MINH MAI
TABLE OF CONENT BUDDHISM
9-35
CONTEMPLATE ROOM
36-43
Christianity
44-57
BUDDHISM Buddhism has always been a traditional mind of Asia, especially in Indonesia, China, Vietnam and India. Now with globalization, Buddhism was brought to the West by monasteries or teachers who came from the East. In America, instead of having a temple, buddhism is maintained as meditation centers in small apartments. They encourage people to join, meditate and learn Buddhism. It also serves as a community for people to meet and greet. Shambhala, and Buddhism in general, are not only a global community for everyone but also an ideology of bringing an enlightened society. Shambhala was founded by Chรถgyam Trungpa, a Buddhist meditation master. Shambhala Meditation Center in Philadelphia resides on Samson Street represents as one of many instances of Buddhism in the U.S. The act of meditation is to strengthen the quality of the mind to be presence in the moment. Buddhism, which was brought to the Western world, would take on its character in order to fit in the society. Eastern people go to temples on holidays or special occasions to worship. In Western world, people treat it as a way of life through meditation. There is one interesting point that kniting is also considered as meditation method, which it could only be found in Western Buddhism. The most common image in Buddhism is offering of goods to higher Supreme Being. People offer to monks and Buddha valuable goods in exchange for their wishes and hopes as it is always being seen in Asian communities. However, in the U.S., students usually offer water in a small bowl, which represents a bright and clear mind. But most importantly, despite all the differences, no matter where Buddhism is, it still has its faith of bringing a peaceful and compassionate human society.
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Pedestrian walking through waterfall glass tunnel on 48th Street in New York City on January 23, 2016. Temperature dropping under zero turns water into crystal on the surface of the glass.
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CONTEMPLATE ROOM Contemplate Room in Philadelphia Shambhala Center is served as a place for people to meet, talk and learn about Buddhism. Usually, there is a group as they read a book and knit together. It goes along with the idea of keeping a peaceful mind that meditation can be simple as a part of everyday life. Kniting is one of Western Buddhism distinct that Eastern one doesn’t have. It is believed that kniting is an ideal contemplative activity in Buddhism.
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Christianity Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with over 2.4 billion adherents, known as Christians. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity whose coming as Christ or the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square is a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community worshipping in a beautiful 19th century building in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Instead of meditation and freeing mind, Christain worship involves praising God in music and speech, readings from scripture, prayers of various sorts, a sermon, and various holy ceremonies
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