Asparagus – A Nutritional Guide

On By Paul1 Comment


It is interesting to note that there are old beliefs that asparagus could increase feelings of compassion and love, promote fertility, reduce menstrual cramping, and increase milk production in nursing mothers. In some countries they are also used as an aphrodisiac.

Nutritional values for 100 g

USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 13 (November 1999)

Nutrients Units Asparagus cooked
Water g 92
Energy kcal 24
Protein g 2.6
Total lipid (fat) g 0.3
Carbohydrate g 4.2
Fiber, total dietary g 1.6
Minerals
Calcium mg 20
Iron mg 0.7
Magnesium mg 10
Phosphorus mg 54
Potassium mg 160
Sodium mg 11
Zinc mg 0.4
Copper mg 0.1
Manganese mg 0.1
Selenium mcg 1.7
Vitamins
Vitamin C mg 11
B-1 (thiamin) mg 0.1
B-2 (riboflavin) mg 0.1
B-3 (niacin) mg 1
B-5 (pantothenic acid) mg 0.15
B-6 (pyridoxine) mg 0.1
Folate mcg 146
B-12 mcg 0
Vitamin A I.U 539
Vitamin A mcg RE 54
Vitamin E mcg ATE 0.4
Lipids
Fatty acids, saturated g 0.07
Fatty acids, monounsaturated g 0.01
Fatty acids, polyunsaturated g 0.136
Linoleic acid (18:2) g 0.129
Alpha-linolenic acid (18:3) g 0.007
Cholesterol mg 0

Asparagus, high in potassium, great for fibre, low in salt, and a terrific, healthy vegetable to grow, is a member of the lily family, which also includes onions, leeks and garlic.
They have been cultivated for more than 2000 years in South of Europe.There is nothing nicer than growing your own crop and taking it fresh to the table. It’s a perennial and it lives for up to 30 years.

Many people have never seen Asparagus growing but it is dead easy. Asparagus likes deep, friable, rich soil. If you’ve got heavy, clay soil, you’ll need to mound the plants up or dig in plenty of organic matter so that it becomes nice and well drained. They love soil with a pH of about 6.5 to 7. Dig a deep trench, about 75cm, for the long roots – the deeper the better. Then add organic matter.

Asparagus is very hungry and needs plenty of organic matter such as cow manure, sheep manure, or old chook poo. Scatter it thickly down the bottom of the trench because they will absolutely lap that up.

Health benefits
 – Asparagus are poor in calories and loaded with vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of folic acid, vitamin A, B vitamins and vitamin C.
They are also a fair source of calcium and fiber.
100 g of asparagus provide only 24 calories. The same amount provides 146 mg of vitamin B9 that is 1/3 of our recommended daily allowances.
Vitamin B9 is particularly important for pregnant women since not enough of it can cause the birth of a baby with spina bifida.

Asparagus have detoxifying and diuretic effects. Their fibers help us clean out our gastrointestinal tract. They also help the body get rid of the excess water.
Asparagus also contains the phytochemical glutathione, which has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties.

Some people notice a strong urine odor after eating asparagus. Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called a mercaptan which when broken down releases a funny scent.
The odor will disappear when the asparagus is completely digested and absorbed.

It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Several years ago, a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer showed a photocopied copy of an article entitled, “Asparagus For Cancer” printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979.

A number of favourable case histories are listed here:

Case No. 1 – A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2 – A successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3 – A man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. . He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4 – A woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition.. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

Don’t be surprised at this result, as `The elements of materia medica’, edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh.

To good health & happiness!

Paul Chong

A Chinese by Descent

An Australian by Consent

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Miscommunication

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By P Chong                                          Tues. 7 September 2010

Miscommunication occurs due to failing to communicate clearly. There could be a lack of clear or adequate communication or people merely hear what’s said without really paying close attention through listening. Communication too can be misconstrued, misinterpreted & understood giving rise to a lot of complications and unwanted problems.

In most cases, we get different meaning of the words than they intended. Even body language can create a different impression, though in place of verbal communication it can be most effective.

Miscommunication can lead to misunderstanding, argument, hurt & anger and to the extent of creating personal conflict.

Communication Illusion

Who’s being heard?

Here’s an interesting picture on how miscommunication occurs based upon a written memo from the CEO to the staff of a particular organisation, as it filters through the hierarchy rung of management.

By the time the message reaches the bottom rung from the Supervisor to the staff, it is all distorted & reduced to just one sentence. The whole essence is filtered & lost in its downward transmission.

People only hear but not listen!

As a general rule,since God endowed us with two ears & one mouth, we should listen twice as much as we talk.

No Hearing, No Seeing & No Talking

Picture of misery

Picture & Illustration Source: Google

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Celebrating Father’s Day in Australia

On By Paul5 Comments

By P Chong                                                Sunday 5 September 2010

With Grandson Matti Cutting A Specially Baked “Durian” Cake

Father’s Day in Canada, the U.K. and the United States is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. In Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. Why Australia chooses to be different, I have no clue. This year it falls on 5 September.

 

To me, Father’s Day is simple & pleasurable just to have family members getting together at home & have a day of eats, Karaoke singing, fun & laughter & fellowship. It’s generally a chance for families to get together and celebrate in similar way to Mother’s Day. Dads are spoilt and made to feel special & pampered.

 

Our two grandsons in Perth, Mattheson (7) & Nathanael (2), are wonderful to be around – for they sure make you want to live life all over again! Our other two grandchildren, Daniel (7 plus) and Stephanie (2 plus), live in Hong Kong. If only they could be around as well . . . but an army of four might bring the roof down!

 

It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (e.g. foster parents), and family friends.

Cousins Catching Up with Old Times

 

 

 

I don’t expect presents but I sure appreciate our siblings’ presence. To other fathers, it may be a day out in the park, at the movies, at a zoo, or another place of interest . . . or getting handmade or Hallmark cards, food baskets, chocolates, clothing, gift vouchers etc.

 

This Father’s Day is very special indeed! We happen to have our relatives visiting from abroad . . . sister-in-law Beng from Singapore with her daughter-in-law Dawn & daughter Rachel, sister-in-law Hwa from Taiping, Malaysia. Others in the merry crowd include our cousins in Perth . . . Marie with her spouse Nigel and Joseph with his darling wife Mabel. Of course, our daughter Agnes & hubby Darren, our youngest son Andrew with Fiona – still very much the newly-wed on their honeymoon!

 

To me, home gathering is best. Each participating family member bringing along a dish of goodies to share in what I would call a “Potbless Fellowship” and with Karaoke singing . . . food galore . . . nothing seems more memorable!

`

Father’s day is not a holiday in Australia, since it’s a Sunday.

There are some suggestions that the idea of Father’s Day may have its origin in pagan sun worship. Some branches of paganism see the sun as the father of the universe.

As Christians we should remain very wary

Lest we be led astray!

Son-in-law Darren & Nathanael
Andrew Chatting Up with Nigel (Cousin-in-law)

Long-Lost Sis-in-law Christine in Canada Being Chatted & Introduced over SKYPE
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Guess Who’s Coming To Preach

On By Paul1 Comment
A modern pulpit on the chancel of a Presbyteri...
Image via Wikipedia

By P Chong                                                          Sun. 5 September 2010

Story: Origin Unknown

Church is the place for worship

Less so the place for fellowship

For your focus is on God

Rather than whatever you’ve got!


It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked into the church.

Source: Fine Art Print

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.

We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened.

In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit where he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher … he was the “homeless man,” and the last parishioner to arrive for service.

No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on his stand.

“Folks, I don’t think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today.”

It does take an experience such as this to set our thinking

right. All too often, materialism & human become our focus of worship which are hateful to God as idolatry.

If I may say so, as men stray, churches sadly too stray.

Dick Halverton, Chaplain of the United States Senate (Fellowship), puts it in these thought-provoking words:

“In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men & women center on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe where it became a culture. And finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise.”

Christianity, according to Samuel Wilberforce, can be condensed into four words: ADMIT, SUBMIT, COMMIT & TRANSMIT.

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The Chinese Tradition of Marriage

On By Paul1 Comment

By P Chong                                                                               Sat. 4 September 2010

The Chinese Character for Double Happiness

There are three events in life that the Chinese really celebrate:

  • marriage celebration
  • the birth of a child (full moon celebration)
  • Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
  • Birthday celebrations are not a norm, except the landmark ages of 60, 70, 80 & all that . . . Celebration on the negative side will be in the event of “untimely” demise of the dear departed including Qingming Festival (All Souls’Day).

Red is Auspicious

Without order chaos exists. Even mechanical things work on a system, from a simple clock to the planetary system of the universe. If any part of the system should break down, the whole mechanism stops to function.

By the same token, it is true to say of the human society. It can only function properly with a system or order, otherwise chaos will prevail. This is a verified truism as exemplified by the way Chinese society is structured & conducted with particular reference to the question of marriage, which reflects the great importance attached to the concept of the family unit. The way the Chinese address their nation as their “national family” bespeaks the significance of the basic family as its core. Thus the way the individuals conduct themselves can make or break the hierarchy.

There is much to be said about arranged marriages in those days. Whatever your modern misgivings with ideals of love & romance, these marriages did come with problematic packages. The go-in-between and both the in-laws first investigated all details of the young man and lady in respect of compatibility with particular reference to their “animals” of birth, as whether it’s the year of the rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat monkey, chicken dog and pig. It’s astrology of an unique kind. The West would refer it as consulting the stars. There is much truth in that the characteristics of the personality do spell out clearly by the animal year of birth. Taking such precautionary steps avoid the pitfalls of marriage.

Talking of surprised or problematic packages in marriages, brings me to mind of a fictional story. It could well be true beyond your wildest imagination . . . it’s so funny, ridiculous & amazingly laughable.

This is seriously Funny . . .

Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation. One of them kept complaining of family problems. Finally, the other man said: “You think you have family problems? Listen to my situation.”

“A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown-up daughter. We got married and got myself a stepdaughter. Later, my father married my stepdaughter. That made my stepdaughter, my stepmother. And my father became my stepson. Also, my wife became mother-in-law of her father-in-law.”

Much later the daughter of my wife, my stepmother, had a son. This boy was my half-brother because he was my father’s son. But he was also the son of my wife’s daughter which made him my wife’s grand-son. That made me the grand-father of my half-brother.”

This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half-sister of my son, my stepmother, is also the Grandmother. This makes my father, the brother-in-law of my child, whose stepsister is my father’s wife, I am my stepmother’s brother-in-law, my wife is her own child’s aunt, my son is my father’s nephew, and I AM MY OWN GRANDFATHER!”

And you think you have FAMILY PROBLEMS!!!”

Moral: Order prevails, otherwise chaos assails.

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The World’s Tallest Tower

On By Paul1 Comment
Diagram comparing the height of Burj Khalifa t...
Image via Wikipedia

Diagram comparing the height of Burj  Khalifa to other towers & structures

The Burj Khalifa, originally named Burj Dubai, and currently the tallest tower in the world, officially opened in Dubai on Jan. 4 2010 amid an impressive pyrotechnics display that highlighted the tower’s 2716.5-feet of aluminum and steel, and its 26,000 hand-cut glass panels. The Burj Khalifa blows away the next-nearest skyscraper, which is Taiwan’s 1670-foot Taipei 101, and the building has even surpassed ultra-tall, ground-cable-supported radio antennas.


Architects’ vertical leapfrogging, however, isn’t likely to stop at the Burj Khalifa. While the tower will be a tough one to beat, it is likely to remain at the pinnacle for only about another half-dozen years. Developers around the world have proposed numerous new skyscrapers. Some projects have leapt off the drawing boards, though plans for many record-breaking towers have been scuttled because of the global economic spasms of the past couple of years.

The original name of the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Dubai, was changed at the last minute to recognize United Arab Emirates president Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who as emir of Abu Dhabi gave struggling Dubai a $10 billion bailout last month.

So what buildings could be the next to rise up and steal the Burj Khalifa’s crown? Here in the chart below are some of the tallest towers that have been dwarfed: Taipei 101 (Taiwan) as mentioned, Shanghai World Financial Centre (China), Petronas Towers (Malaysia) & Sears Tower (USA).

Waiting to compete for the prized crown are eight more on the drawing board:

1. Burj Mubarak al Kabir – 3,284 ft. Location: Madinal Al Hareer (City of Slk), Kuwait

2.1 Dubai – Three towers: 1969 ft., 2625 ft. and 3281 ft. Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3. Miapolis – 3000 to 3281 ft. Location: Miami, USA

4. Nakheel Tower – 3281 to 4593 ft. Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

5. Sky City 1000 – 3281 ft. Location: Tokyo, Japan

6. Bionic Tower – 4029 ft. Location: Shanghai, China (As originally propoased)

7. Kingdom Tower – 3281 ft. Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arab

8. Millennium Challenge Tower – 6067 ft. Possible Location: Kuwait

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The Significance of Chinese Names

On By PaulLeave a comment

By P Chong                                                       Thurs. 2 September 2010

“Virtue” –  Chinese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

Unlike the West, where a person can adopt any name and surname as fancied without reference to past ancestry or even bearing the father’s surname, the Chinese pay particular attention to name giving. Chinese surname is always at the front of the name and bears reference to the clan or kin. Surname bears great significance and reflects one’s status in life. You don’t just pick up any surname you like and call yourself by it. It is something that you inherit, and that inheritance can be traced back for generations.

Since history began, Chinese have always believed in the significance of one’s name. They have developed a very comprehensive system of naming their children as it is believed that the name of a person strongly influences one’s destiny and fate. Astrologers, fortune tellers, academics and monks are often consulted when choosing a name for the new born. The other cultures, however do not really believe in it and tend to brush it off as superstition.

For example, the Chinese surname LEE (or LI) is associated with power and success such as Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Teng Hui (former Taiwan President), Li Peng ( China ‘s ex PM), Li Ka Shing (HK tycoon). It is also the most numerous amongst all surnames.

Speaking of generations, one can always tell whether one is of the same rank in the generation hierarchy by the second name. Traditionally, Chinese have two given names. The second name denotes the generation level. The last name is truly one’s own name. From the second name you can know your generation within the kinship clan. You must have known of cousins all bearing the same middle name – straight away you’ll know how to address each other & accord respect accordingly.

Particular attention is paid to names, because each Chinese character has a meaning. That meaning often spelt out one’s character and personality, even pointing to one’s destiny! The Chinese believe that a good meaning name will determine one’s fortune and future. Names are particularly important for the Chinese male. With the female, names are given to reflect such meaning as beauty, gentleness, softness and others. Once married, the Chinese female drops her own surname and adopts that of her husband, indicating that she becomes part of her husband’s clan.

Speaking from personal experience as an example, there are others I could refer to, our son, David whose Chinese name is Yew Chuan, bears significance to the above statement. His name means “complete” 全, and the Chinese character depicts “a king” sheltered or protected by the “people” and by virtue of this, he tends to have affiliation towards others than his own loved ones. To him friends always come first, an eminent character trait of his and which wins him lots and lots of friends.

Our second son Andrew is different in nature and character. His Chinese name is Yew Teik meaning “of noble virtue, moral excellence and goodness” 德. In Chinese writing, the name bears the significance of the word “heart” and how appropriately significant that he should possess such traits of character.

Believe you me, Chinese names are very significant and important, and that is why careful attention is always accorded to naming a new-born child.

Chinese names bearing only two characters (consisting of the surname & given name) are the exceptions. Nevertheless, they bear the same significance.

For those who are Christians, they usually adopt an additional Christian name. In Southeast Asian countries, where Chinese are a minority, they are required by law to have native names, which are normally Chinese names in camouflage . . . distinctly native but distinguishably Chinese. You’ll find names like this in Indonesia, Thailand & Philippines, e.g. Limianto.

Chinese attach great importance and pride to their names. They must in no circumstance be tainted by bad publicity or social stigma. Thus a jail sentence or a case of bankruptcy would mean “loss of face” which would bring to bear on future generations.

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Have No Fear . . . God Is Near

On By Paul9 Comments
"The Garden of Eden" by Thomas Cole ...
Image via Wikipedia- The Garden of Eden by Thomas Cole (c. 1828)

By P Chong       Wed. 1 September 2010

From the womb to the tomb there is but one room

And that’s up in heaven or down in Hell

Where you’d forever dwell & yell!

Morbid as it may sound, especially on this beautiful first day of Spring, nothing is further from the truth. Ever since the downfall of mankind through the disobedience of Adam & Eve, man has been cast out of the Garden of Eden into the realm of evil & temptations. However, Father God in His graciousness & everlasting mercy has forgiven us & forgotten that act of human disobedience, but the consequences of that act cannot be avoided. Our physical death, the pain of childbirth, sickness & ailments, unending human problems & sufferings are, to name some, the consequences of sin we have to bear.

There is no escaping. Death is a certainty. Death comes to everybody. It has no respect for class, status or creed. Popular writer-teacher Leo Buscaglia used to say, “Remember, no one will get out of this world alive!”

There is a wonderful legend of the servant of a wealthy merchant. He was in a marketplace of Baghdad securing provisions for his master when he had the most frightful experience of his life. When he rushed into his master’s house a few minutes later, his colour had drained completely from his face.

“What’s the matter with you? It looks as though you have seen a ghost!” the master inquired.

“Master,” the servant replied, “I have just seen DEATH in the marketplace, and when he saw me, he raised his arm to strike me. Please master, I am certain he means to take me. Loan me your fastest horse so that I can get away.”

“But where will you go?” asked the merchant.

“I will go to Samarra,” explained the servant. “DEATH will not find me there.”

So the merchant gave his servant the fastest horse in his stables, and the servant rode swiftly off to the city of Samarra where he hoped to hide.

The merchant later went to the market to get his own supplies. While there he too saw DEATH. So he inquired of DEATH, “Why did you raise your hand to strike my servant a while ago?”

Death replied, “Actually I meant him no harm ast that moment. Raising my hand was a gesture of surprise. You see, I didn’t expect to find him here, for I have an appointment with him tonight at Samarra!”

The servant of Baghdad would discover that no matter how fast the horse not how far the journey, he could not escape his appointment with DEATH.

To allay you fear, here’s an amusing episode which bears out the best explanation of DEATH ever:

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, ”Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.”

Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

”You don’t know? You’re a Christian man, and don’t know what’s on the other side?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, ”Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing . . . I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

Have no trouble, have no fear

For God is near.

Put your faith & trust in Him

And He’ll guide you through thick & thin.

Alexander The Great – His Farewell Words

On By Paul4 Comments
An example of a map created with GMT, illustra...
Image via Wikipedia- The Empire of Alexander the Great

Google Image – The Johnson Gallery

” Ice melts when heated ”

“Eyes melt when hated”

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.

He now longed to reach home to see his mother’s face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, “I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry out them out without fail.”

With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king’s last wishes.

“My first desire is that”, said Alexander, “My physicians alone must carry my coffin.”

After a pause, he continued, “Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury”.

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute’s rest and continued. “My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin”.

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king’s strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. Alexander’s favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. “O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?”

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: “I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

Lessons to learn from last 3 wishes of King Alexander…

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world”.

With these words, the king closed his eyes.

As with all mighty kings & conquerors of the past, death ultimately subdued them all.

Will mankind never learn?

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

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Xuangongsi – The Hanging Monastery, Heng Shan, Shanxi, China

On By PaulLeave a comment

(Xuangongsi Hanging Temple literally means “Floating Temple”)

A distant view of the complex across the Golden Dragon River (Jinlong He).

Built around 6th century, Xuangongsi of Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province is one of China’s unique and remarkable feats of architectural engineering. Sited about 50 mi (80 km) southeast of Datong, it is built about a third of the way up a vertical cliff in Jinlong Guan (Golden Dragon Gorge or Canyon), part of the long Hengshan (Heng Mountain), one of the four sacred Taoist mountains. The monastery was founded during the Northern Wei period (386-584) in the 6th century, although much was reconstructed from the Tang through the Qing eras, as well as in more recent times.

A More Distant View

The underpinnings of the cliff buildings.

Little of the load is actually carried by the thin support pillars. Much of the cantilevering is supported by the weight of the buildings above it.

The complex consists of forty caves, or rooms, including six main halls, but its characteristic feature is the elaborate wooden façade of pavilions and walkways precariously resting on timbers jutting out horizontally and vertically from the cliff. There are colourful tiles on the roofs. Inside the caves are a number of Buddhist figures in bronze, stone, clay and iron. Although built on a sacred Daoist mountain, it has had many influences on it. The Three Religions Hall (San Jiao Dian) reflects the syncretic element of the Chinese religious and philosophical tradition. It contains the seated images representing the Buddha, Confucius and Laotzu, seemingly in perfect harmony with each other.

The Hanging Monastery is an architectural wonder to have withstood the stormy weather for this period of time. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support. Seen from below, the Hanging Monastery appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, it provides the same scene as other temples.

Pavilion

Construction experts from many countries including Britain, Germany, and Italy, have come to see the monastery. In their words, the Monastery, which mixes mechanics, aesthetics, and Buddhism, is rare. The monastery and everything it symbolises embodies a great cultural achievement of the Chinese people.

The second attraction of the Hanging Monastery is that it includes Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Inside the Monastery, the sculptures of Sakyamuni, Confucius and Laotzu appear together, which is unusual. There are 40 halls and cabinets, which contain about 80 sculptures made of copper, iron, terracotta, and stone.

Why build a monastery like this? Location is the first reason – building a monastery on the cliff could shield it from floods. In addition, the mountain peak protects it from rain and snow; and the mountain around it also diminishes damage from long-time sunshine. The second reason is that the builders followed a principle in Taoism: peace & tranquility from all forms of human & natural pollution.