It is a lot more fun to blame the LDS Temple Ceremony on the Chinese than the Masons. The Chinese at least got some of the right positions.
[Picture of Chinese Gods holding a compass and a square]
Many of the Chinese societies have their own signs and tokens that are interesting to look at (e.g. here). What is fun about these is that they date back to 200 A.D. or earlier.
I know, people prefer the Egyptian temples and the tombs we have that preserve them (since it was popular to include a temple in the larger tombs). We have a good deal more on that ritual than we have on Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries (with the lead book back in print years after the author’s death)
Of course what we have on Egypt ranges from solid speculation Temple of the Cosmos: The Ancient Egyptian Experience of the Sacred to expensive surveys (e.g. Egyptian Temples (Kegan Paul Library of Ancient Egypt) — sells for $300.00 new) to wildly fantastic (ok, Budge is more wildly traditional Legends of the Gods: The Egyptian Texts; Edited with Translations) but The Nine Eyes of Light: Ascension Keys from Egypt by Padma Aon Prakasha (Aug 31, 2010) is the sort of thing that gets attention, and not in a good way, when you mention speculation.
But there is a lot to be learned, and a good deal of interest history in this area that is often overlooked.
Especially from the Chinese.
Where do you look for inspiration and thought on temples?
Wheat & Tares 
Not to mention the entire kerfluffle that ensued with the ghost shirt groups who accused the Church of stealing from them
so the masons got the ceremony from the chinese?
There are a number of similarities and both have a lot in common with the Egyptian, though not the Greek (as far as is known).
The film “The Matrix,” which a fellow member used to explain the endowment to me after I was married in the temple. Makes perfect sense to me, though I wished we dressed like Keanu Reeves in the temple.
One interesting thing is that in many of the ancient rituals, one of the great secrets was that there is only one god. The entire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenhotep_IV episode was a reflection of trying to impart the mysteries to the common worship.
Though Greek Hero Cults are an important area of study. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero-cult#Classical_hero_cults has a good introduction. Heracles had one of my favorites.
E.g. https://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=cult+of+Heracles+&pbx=1&oq=cult+of+Heracles+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=2332l2332l0l3808l1l1l0l0l0l0l105l105l0.1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&fp=68c06283a2517fd&biw=1183&bih=857
Stephen, are you simply pointing out interesting similarities or trying to establish links to and sources for the LDS temple rites?
I am pointing out that the themes run much deeper and much longer than many realize. Are they sources or counterfeit sources, that is another question. But it is important that The Book of Abraham is an endowment text. As are a number of other texts at their hearts — including the Book of Breathings.
A good look at the gods in an Egyptian temple as they great and embrace the initiate is well worth taking.
We had an extra post on Friday, so this was just a more “think about this too” sort of post rather one that was terribly demanding of the audience to absorb.
It’s interesting but not all THAT remarkable. The knowledge revealed to Joseph Smith and the succeeding prophets about the Temple isn’t anything new. Has it been forgotten that the role of the Latter-Day Church is to RESTORE all things? That the Chinese (which actually comprise many ethnic groups and they can tell each other apart quite easily, thank you) might have some of this knowledge wouldn’t be surprising at all. There are communities of Jews that have lived in China for many centuries, and it’s also possible that some of them might have had knowledge from at least the Temple of Zerabubbel (from which forecourt Jesus drove the money-changers out Ca. 33 AD).
When serving a mission in Japan several years ago, I knocked on the door of guy who practiced some form of Eastern mysticism. He had no idea who the Mormons were, but he was eager to tell us all about his beliefs and view of things.
In the course of explaining his views, he stated that when Christ heals people he performs a certain gesture. At this point he performed what we know as the 2nd sign of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
He then stated that when Buddha heals people he performs another physical gesture. At this point he then proceeded to perform the 1st sign of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Needless to say, my jaw dropped.
I used to be very interested in all of this “stuff”. It came to point however for me where I realized this is one serious “chicken vs the egg” debate. Most people agree that free masonry origins go back to the 1300’s. However, that is at best only an explanation for its fraternal origins, and does nothing to explain the symbolic origins, including the system of tools (compass and square) and ritual gestures. I will admit however that seeing things such as salvation and progression as being exemplified in terms of geometry, is one of the more interesting things that can be derived from Mormon temple worship. Still, given the Nauvoo origins and relationship to 19th century Freemasonry in America, it doesn’t work well in my mind as evidence. However, if the intent is to see things in a spiritual light for self reflection, then perhaps it is one of the more interesting theological concepts.