"Everyone, rise." The Empress Dowager smiled very kindly.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
The Abbot led everyone to stand up.
The Empress Dowager came here to eat vegetarian meals and pray to Buddha on the fifteenth of every month. At this Shichen, the Abbot would always lead the monks from the temple to welcome the Empress Dowager at the gate.
The Abbot wore a Kasaya over his shoulder, holding a string of Large Buddhist Prayer Beads in his hand, and bowed respectfully, saying to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, please enter the temple."
The Empress Dowager replied with a smile, "Good."
The Abbot first took the Empress Dowager to bathe and change clothes, observed fasting, and then proceeded to the Buddhist hall. There were many Buddha statues in the hall, and at first glance, it was shrouded in mist, but upon closer look, one would find a large incense burner at the entrance, filled with candles and incense.
