The Lecture Hall (or Dharma Hall)
Many, but not all, temples have two more halls behind the main Buddha Hall. These are the Lecture Hall, also called the Dharma Hall or fa tang (法堂 ), where the Buddha's teaching or "Dharma" is taught; and the Sutra Repository.
In fact, many temples lack these halls. Instead, there may be a meditation hall, a hall dedicated to other figures, or no hall at all, but a pleasant garden, or the back wall of the temple. In that case, the main Buddha Hall is often used for lectures.
There is seldom anything to see inside these halls (though in a few cases, they may be quite interesting); there may be a Buddha or other statue on a small altar behind the speaking dais, but it is incidental to the main activity of teaching which goes on there. In most temples, this hall will be closed when not in use.
In fact, many temples lack these halls. Instead, there may be a meditation hall, a hall dedicated to other figures, or no hall at all, but a pleasant garden, or the back wall of the temple. In that case, the main Buddha Hall is often used for lectures.
There is seldom anything to see inside these halls (though in a few cases, they may be quite interesting); there may be a Buddha or other statue on a small altar behind the speaking dais, but it is incidental to the main activity of teaching which goes on there. In most temples, this hall will be closed when not in use.
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