Pusading Si

Wutai Shan, Shanxi

Activities in Pusading's Mahavira Hall, seen here, include sutra readings and the playing of Tibetan-style music, the latter an influence from the Qing emperors' favored Tibetan style of Buddhism. The restored hall is decorated and painted in elaborate Qing Dynasty style.

"Mahavira," meaning "Great Hero," is one title of the founder of historical Jainism; however, the title is also given to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. The Mahavira Hall of a Buddhist temple, if it has one, is usually the main hall of the temple, and houses a statue of Shakyamuni.