ThirstyFish

Preah Buddha Rangsey is a Cambodian Buddhist temple located at S. 6th and W. Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia.

Buddhism is both a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices. Most Cambodians practice Theravada Buddhism. Theravada, "the Ancient Teaching", is one of the three major schools/traditions of Buddhism (with Mahayana and Vajrayana being the other two). Theravada promotes the concept of Vibhajyavada, "analyzing teachings". It stresses that insight must come from experience, critical investigation, and reasoning instead of blind faith. Although some rituals exist in Theravada, they are not heavily emphasized as in other schools.

The statue pictured is a Dvarapala (temple guardian). The Dvarapala is a common architectural element used outside the gates of shrines throughout Buddhist and Hindu cultures. The eight spoked wheel seen repeated in the structure is a reference to the Noble Eightfold Path, one of the principal teachings of Buddhism.

This post has a followup: The Noble Eightfold Path.

Song of the Day: (Traditional Cambodian Music) - performed by victims of UXO's