BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA, a photo from Shaanxi, Central

Photographer's Note

Here we can see the BIG Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 during Tang Dynasty.In front of it we can see this sculpture paying homage to the Chinese monk who visited India and brought the first Buddhist texts to China. There is a curious legend about the pagoda:
The monks of the area could to eat meat, despite if being vegetarian would be best according with the religion. Once one of the monks of the monastery was sent to the town to buy meat, but he wasn't able to find it anyway. When he told that to the group one of them saw a group of wild gooses flying above and said it would be nice if the Bodhisattva sent them some meat, suddenly the leader of the gooses fell down in the middle of them to death and since that day they stopped to eat meat and built this pagoda in the place where the animal died.
..............

Vemos aqui o Grande Pagode do Ganso Selvagem, erguido em 652 durante a dinastia Tang. Diante dele temos uma escultura prestando homenagem ao monge que foi � ﾍndia e trouxe para a China os primeiros textos budistas. H� uma curiosa lenda sobre o pagode:
Os monges locais podiam comer carne, apesar de que a religi縊 dissesse que seria melhor se fossem vegetarianos.
Certa vez o monge encarregado de comprar carne na cidade andou por toda a parte e n縊 conseguiu comprar nada. Voltando de m縊s vazias contou isso aos colegas e um deles reclamou e ao ver um bando de gansos selvagens sobrevoando o local disse que seria bom se o Bodisatva lhes enviasse um pouco de carne. Nisso o ganso l冝er do grupo caiu morto no meio deles e desde ent縊 eles passaram a ser vegetarianos e ergueram o pagode no local onde o bicho caiu.

macjake, Royaldevon, holmertz, ChrisJ, jean113, Fis2, PiotrF, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tue (82204) 2019-07-08 1:45

Hello Jorge,
The ancient pagoda looks great and it is a great focal point, along with the large sculpture. The many people add some bright colours to the cloudy day.
Lars

macjake (96157) 2019-07-08 2:04

Hi Jorge
what can i say about this one? its a sweet shot, sweet post card style and i enjoy that a lot. Very interesting note to accompany the photo, wasn't expecting that info :) Nice to have that smokey orange hue along the top. lots to see and lots to keep us visually entertained. cheers
Craig

Royaldevon (75344) 2019-07-08 2:28

Hello Jorge,

A lovely story.

This is a very interesting photograph, showing historical and modern aspects.
It's very well composed. I like how the guy in purple balances with the scene with the statue of the monk.

There does look to be pollution in the air, a real problem in many cities!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

Gerrit (59968) 2019-07-08 2:44

Hello Jorge,
Fine and lively view over this square with the beautiful Pagode. Interesting story.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

holmertz (92836) 2019-07-08 3:27

Hello Jorge,
This is a superb postcard that would equally satisfy those who like buildings and those who prefer people. I love the fine colours and light of probably early evening. The pagoda is truly impressive and the nearest statue is also well placed. The people are nicely spread all over the photo, even one man covering the foreground.
Kind regards,
Gert

ChrisJ (159996) 2019-07-08 5:26

Hello Jorge,

Good sharpness and I like the reflections in the shiny fg surface. The pale sunset colours enhance the sky. The people animate the scene and provide scale. I never got to see this pagoda as I had a train from Beijing to Mongolia in a day or 2. So tfs!

jean113 (22021) 2019-07-08 6:03

Hello Jorge, a very good composition, nicely balanced.
The story is an interesting extra.
I like all the people and the variety of body language!
The sky has a strange colour, could that be pollution?
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

Fis2 (155573) 2019-07-08 6:56

Witaj Jorge!
A very interesting square.
Curious statue and pagoda.
Nice scene from daily life.
Good framing, colors and light.
Well done.
Warm rtegards.
Krzysztof

PiotrF (52330) 2019-07-08 10:51

Hello Jorge,
Interesting view of Wild Goose Pagoda.
Nice colours, perfect exposure, fine composition and good sharpness.
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr

Miguel82 (47106) 2019-07-08 12:01

Jorge, instructive text about the pagoda legend, its name is derived from that story. Nowadays it's a busy touristic site, many visitors gather in the square around the Buddhist monk statue. Ravishing pink sky, impressive monument.

Silvio1953 (205657) 2019-07-08 12:57

Ciao Jorge, great view of fantastic architecture, lovely composition with a lot of people, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (54825) 2019-07-08 13:49

Hello Jorge,
I read your answer to Jean. When I visited Xian in 1999 the air pollution was very bad. Only in Lanzhou it was worse. But those things can change.
It's a very pretty picture with the soft tones in the sky and with the colourful numerous visitors on the foreground.
Best regards, Paul

pierrefonds (103499) 2019-07-08 18:22

Hi Jorge,

The presence of the crowd is animating the scene. The statue is an eye-catcher. The point of view is showing the details of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. There seem to be a lot of pollution. Have a nice day.

Pierre

emka (152136) 2019-07-08 23:55

Hello Jorge, Interesting legend about this pagoda. I wondered why it was called the wild goose pagoda, now I know the answer. Lovely composition. Only Chinese tourists, like in many places in Europe (hahaha).
Kind regards Malgo

mkamionka (61176) 2019-07-14 9:28

Hi Jorge,
very interesting structure and perfectly selected point of view to capture it in the context of the monument and the square.
I see very often this sort of grey skies in the photos from China, I wonder whether it is smog?
Great reportage,
M

mcmtanyel (58830) 2019-07-20 21:18

Hello Jorge,
It's an impressive plaza with interesting buildings and artwork. I like the colorful attires of the tourists. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT