Visiting Nanputuo Temple

Adam: Li Mei, what's the name of the temple next to Xiamen University?

亚当:李梅，厦门大学附近的那座寺院叫什么名字？

Li Mei: That's Nanputuo Temple. Originating in the Tang Dynasty, the temple experienced ups and downs until 1684 when General Shilang rebuilt it. Nowadays, Nanputuo Temple is one of China's most famous Buddhist temples.

李梅:那是南普陀寺。它起源于唐代，历代屡建屡毁，1684年由施琅将军重建。如今，南普陀是全国闻名的佛教寺院。

Adam: I haven't been inside but I saw streams of visitors to the temple. It was hard to draw a line between religious and secular guests but I think it's popular with both?

亚当:虽然我还没有去过，但是每次路过我都能看到人流不息。进香者与游人络绎不绝，都把它当做胜地。

Li Mei: For religious guests, it's particularly popular with worshippers of Bodhisattva Guanyin, who is regarded as a goddess of mercy. Local worshipers pour into Nanputuo Temple to pay their devotion on Guanyin's three birthdays, which fall on February 29, June 19 and September 19 in the Chinese lunar calendar.

李梅:对佛教徒来说，礼拜大慈大悲的观音菩萨是很重要的。特别是在观音诞辰的三日（农历二月十九、六月十九、九月十九），厦门信徒都要去南普陀寺进香。

Adam: So what is Nanputuo Temple actually like?

亚当:那南普陀寺的内部结构是什么样子的呢？

Li Mei: The grand temple is built into the hillside and its key buildings include Grand Hall, Great Mercy Hall and Sutra Hall. Lifesaving Pond fronts the central Heavenly Kings Hall and both are popular attractions.

李梅:寺院依山而建，规模宏大，主要建筑有大雄宝殿、大悲殿和藏经阁等。天王殿和它前面的放生池都是很受欢迎的景点。

Adam: Wow, you've inspired me to go and take a look.

亚当:哇，听了你的介绍我很想去看一看。

Li Mei: I've not been there recently. How about we go together tomorrow?

李梅:我也很久没去了，不如明天我们一起去怎么样？

Adam: Sounds great! Are you sure?

亚当:那太棒了，真的吗？

Li Mei: Of course.

李梅:当然了.

By Natalie Ng