Week 12 of 52 -
So far have traveled about
135,000,000 miles.
The Visit:
I must have passed by this many times before - but
had never noticed it. It is not hidden
by any means - flags and obvious Buddhist décor over about three previously
residential properties.
I entered through the gate - and found mostly
women. They had a large vat of what
appeared to be oil - with a propane heater burning under it. They were placing large randomly-shaped food
in the oil for frying. It turned out
that these were chunks of wax - and they were making large candles. My presence was of obvious notice, though
after a moment, comfort came, and they knew I was there peacefully.
I asked when services began - and one took command
with broken English - and told me about
Two blocks away is that little (quite nice) donut
shop. I stood in line and bought a
chocolate coated glazed donut - along with a carton of milk. Leona is gone for a week - up in
I returned about
A nice young lady and an older man (perhaps my age)
immediately saw my need. They befriended
me and helped me through the meeting. (Dee and Paul.) There
were about four chairs against one wall - but essentially everyone was on the
floor - folding their legs as I cannot do.
(Well, I can do it, but not stay that way for long.) I sat on the floor taking up more room than
most. Four monks were at front on a
shallow short stage. They were robed
such that their left shoulders were covered while their right shoulders were
naked. They spoke and sang rather as a
single unit. Usually
in unison - with one occasionally taking a harmonious note different from the
others.
This gathering lasted only about half an hour. Many people had baskets full of food items -
and toothpaste - and napkins, etc.
Sometimes there was a cabbage in the center - used to stick in large
numbers of sticks. The sticks were split
at the top - and dollar bills - or fives - were inserted into the split ends of
the sticks. There were
several hundred dollars worth of these baskets.
The service was spoken in another language - I think
Thai - so I could not understand any of the words. It became obvious that there was much comfort
- a happy atmosphere - among all on the floor.
Some interesting feelings came to me during this
gathering. Because I could not
understand any of the words, I had only to observe more general things. I could not be trapped by my usual tendency
to find details to fault or praise. This
made me introspective.
Most of the time, there was felt freedom to talk -
even while the monks were singing. Paul
and Dee took the opportunity to explain some of what I was seeing. The money was for the support of the temple. It did not go to the monks for their
support. People could also give directly
to any monk - but that would be separate.
"But the food items?" I asked. "Those are for us. We eat after this." It was a kind of potluck. "But toothpaste?"
I asked. "Oh yes - that is
for the monks - and some of the other things too. The food also - is for the monks first - they
eat - and then of what is left, the rest of us eat."
After this meeting, there was also other food being
served in back - like a large patio with tables, etc. I got a bowl of soup - which was cooked only
after an order was received. This was
not part of the coming potluck - it was sold to anyone who wanted it. My soup, which had lovely meatballs and
chunks of beef, was $3.00. This was
arguably the best bowl of soup I ever ate.
But it had meat in it - and this was a surprise for me.
There was a ceremonial thing going on outside
also. The monks walked among the
people. People would take a single large
spoon of rice and place it in a large container each monk held. When the monk was through all the people, his
container was chock full of rice. It was
much more rice than one could eat - already cooked. I'm not sure it was for consumption - but
more symbolic.
Another gathering was forming in the temple. I entered and found Dee and Paul. I told them that when I was in
I wanted to ask more questions - and was made aware
(nicely) that it was time to be silent.
After this part was over, I began to ask my question
again. "Dee - Paul - How are beliefs decided?"
I asked, "Then there is no argument as to what
should be believed." She said,
"No."
"But these at this temple eat meat - and the
ones I met in
I think I know a little better than this,
however. One of the men with me in
I think this "branch" must be as different
from most of Buddhism as people sometimes view Mormons are from
Christianity.
One thing obvious again - meeting with these people
- was that these are people of good will.
I tried always to be respectful - to do what was reasonably as
expected. The room was crowded - women
often walked on their knees instead of their feet - a quiet way to move about
the room - to take things up to the monks, etc.
Dee and Paul gave me a robe to take to one of the monks. When I presented it, two people at once
helped me to my knees and asked me to put my hands together in prayer-form, and
to bow my head, which I did.
When I got up to leave the gathering, in this
crowded room, I evidently stepped over a pot.
A woman was a little upset - and trying to instruct me that we walk
around the prayers - not over them. Her
voice included some anger. Evidently,
the little pot had papers inside with prayers written on them. Paul and Dee were (evidently) two of the
liberals among this little group - nicely trying only to be helpful. This little lady was (evidently) one of the
conservatives - feeling the importance of correctness even on the very first
try. I liked all of them, but I do have
a special place in my heart for the extra courage of liberals.
I will not pass this property again without an awareness. This
whole experience is making me more tender as I pass
through the neighborhoods of
12 of 52 Trip Around The Sun