The Seating Area Around the Altar                      -      -     NE 
(-------------------------------------------------)     W <---(M)---> -
                                                        -      -      -

There is a large circular seating area that surrounds the altar on all
but a quarter of its sides.  The seats are basically steps of clay that
ascend to a top row which is about ten rods higher than the base row. 
Several monks of the temple are sitting in the seats with their legs
crossed, deeply engaged in some serious meditation.  There are breaks in the
seating every once in a while where passageways lead off behind the circular
altar to the outer rim of the temple.