It was raining the whole way to the Miu Fat Monastery and I get a little uncomfy with the humidity, wetness and general blah of days like this. Then Jen mentioned that its rained during a lot of incredibly important times of growth in her life
This reminds me of before we were dating, when we were seeing each other seldomly, and Jen felt I was not being as honest with her as I could be. I was at a negative place in my life, and I needed someone as strong and important to me to call me out on my BS. And there she was! The moment when she finished what she needed to say/what I needed to hear, we were sitting in the middle of a park north of Eglinton on Yonge, and it began pouring rain harder than I had ever seen in my life. Felt like it was washing away everything I was so unhappy with. It was our renewal of sorts, and we just sat there, taking it all in, and she was so damn strong... I'll never forget that moment, it was actually magic...
Anyway, back to the monastery!
Just a short trip from our home on the light rail and we were transported into beautiful gardens, and an even more stunning shrine indoors. The monastery is guarded by two stone lions and two stone elephant statues. Which was very synchronistic as the night before Jen had had a dream that she had to cross a path of viscous elephants that were guarding a precious stone that could lift a curse that had been put on the town. The elephants themselves were victims of the curse and tried to attack her before she successfully captured the stone using only the power of magic, despite their violent efforts to stop her. The painful feeling of the puncture wounds in her hands was so real that it woke her up. Even though they attacked her in the dream, she felt so at peace being around them when we arrived, like we were meant to be there that day, rain and all.
Anyway, back to the monastery!
Just a short trip from our home on the light rail and we were transported into beautiful gardens, and an even more stunning shrine indoors. The monastery is guarded by two stone lions and two stone elephant statues. Which was very synchronistic as the night before Jen had had a dream that she had to cross a path of viscous elephants that were guarding a precious stone that could lift a curse that had been put on the town. The elephants themselves were victims of the curse and tried to attack her before she successfully captured the stone using only the power of magic, despite their violent efforts to stop her. The painful feeling of the puncture wounds in her hands was so real that it woke her up. Even though they attacked her in the dream, she felt so at peace being around them when we arrived, like we were meant to be there that day, rain and all.
We then began to enter the shrine hall where it told us that no pictures were allowed. This was for a moment off-putting, we're not used to being in spaces that you can't take pictures... what is here that you can't capture? And that's the reason, a picture can never capture what the essence of a space of worship can be. It's the spirit of it all.
Jen was taking a picture of the Buddha as we entered when she suddenly tripped up the steps. We thought it was a sign for us to put away our cameras for good and enjoy the beauty of the temple for ourselves as we honour the power inside. When we were looking back at our pictures later, we noticed that right after that last picture Jen took, there were 8 blank, black photos on her camera. She wondered if this too was a message?
This is the picture taken before we entered...
Jen was taking a picture of the Buddha as we entered when she suddenly tripped up the steps. We thought it was a sign for us to put away our cameras for good and enjoy the beauty of the temple for ourselves as we honour the power inside. When we were looking back at our pictures later, we noticed that right after that last picture Jen took, there were 8 blank, black photos on her camera. She wondered if this too was a message?
This is the picture taken before we entered...
The hallway walls are lined with hand-painted murals and it's no different once you reach the top where the main area is. The murals carry onto the ceiling and are so vibrant and meaningful, each telling their own story. Before you enter there is a golden Buddha adorned like a warrior, and once you are inside there are three HUGE golden statues of Lord Gautama in the center. I'm talking 35 feet high at the very least! Surrounded by a plethora of fresh fruits as offerings. So breath-taking.
We always have a soft spot for places of worship, finding them incredibly calming and deeply connected. It brings us into self-reflection and the important things in life rise to the top. At this point, we were a couple of the only people who were inside. Except the sweet ladies who were tending to the plants, cleaning and constantly refilling the fruits and incense that needed to be lit. I said hello to one of them, and she directed us to a back area we would not have seen if I did not speak to her. This happens quite often to us, opening ourselves up to others gains access to places we would never have known existed. We thank her for her time.
Once we arrived back there, we realized that this is the space of mourning as well as worship. There are hundreds of plaques hung on the walls with the names of loved ones who have passed. Just then, a couple walks up and takes out a large amount of fruits, handfuls of incense and begins lighting and offering their love to the space. Right behind them, where we were standing, there was a golden statue with dozens of arms and at least 5 heads. The ones at the top were all making different faces. Jen said that this was like the layers of our higher self and all we are capable of. I also think this is the layers of our families and people whom we're representing, especially on a trip such as this. We're here on behalf of those who cannot be, and this space of mourning was to remind us of everything we as a whole stand for. Very powerful feeling all of this!
So we end up going outside, and we see this beautiful garden. It had bird baths and fish in the pond, very sweet to walk into. It was set up for people to play Chinese checkers and everything felt incredibly warm. There were turtles all around too, which related to another vivid dream Jen had had earlier in the week where she was saving turtles from harm.
We always have a soft spot for places of worship, finding them incredibly calming and deeply connected. It brings us into self-reflection and the important things in life rise to the top. At this point, we were a couple of the only people who were inside. Except the sweet ladies who were tending to the plants, cleaning and constantly refilling the fruits and incense that needed to be lit. I said hello to one of them, and she directed us to a back area we would not have seen if I did not speak to her. This happens quite often to us, opening ourselves up to others gains access to places we would never have known existed. We thank her for her time.
Once we arrived back there, we realized that this is the space of mourning as well as worship. There are hundreds of plaques hung on the walls with the names of loved ones who have passed. Just then, a couple walks up and takes out a large amount of fruits, handfuls of incense and begins lighting and offering their love to the space. Right behind them, where we were standing, there was a golden statue with dozens of arms and at least 5 heads. The ones at the top were all making different faces. Jen said that this was like the layers of our higher self and all we are capable of. I also think this is the layers of our families and people whom we're representing, especially on a trip such as this. We're here on behalf of those who cannot be, and this space of mourning was to remind us of everything we as a whole stand for. Very powerful feeling all of this!
So we end up going outside, and we see this beautiful garden. It had bird baths and fish in the pond, very sweet to walk into. It was set up for people to play Chinese checkers and everything felt incredibly warm. There were turtles all around too, which related to another vivid dream Jen had had earlier in the week where she was saving turtles from harm.
All and all this was a great day. This is the reason we chose to not immediately get jobs, so that we can have days where we just explore Hong Kong's beautiful land! My mom asked me the other day how it feels to be retired. HAHAHA! I told her I feel I am "Ho Wun" (So Lucky!) She's actually the one who is retiring in February, and she's going to visit us here. Can't wait for that! Tonight, I am hoping to have a dream of my spirit animal... My mother's delicious lamb chops, mmm ho may!