China Suzhou Hanshan Temple

Hanshan Temple situated near Fengqiao (Maple) Bridge to the west of Suzhou City. Enshrined in the right wing hall are two obese figures, the statues of Hanshan and Shide, disheveled and stripped to the waist, seated on an enormous lotus flower-shaped basin, one holding a vase and the other, lotus flowers. They are all smiles as if trying to tease the visitors.The stone pedestal for Buddha in the grand hall is sculptured on its sides with 36 poems by Hanshan and the images of Shide and Banwu in bold outline.The temple has been famous ever since. Each year, visitors come to Hanshan Temple to listen to the bell, and forget their worries. This has also attracted Japanese tourists who observe the same customs.