Weekly Photo
And now for something completely different... a Buddhist temple, in Oahu, Hawai'i.
This temple is a replica of the 900 years old Byodo-in Temple.
Although I am not a Buddhist some things I have to admire about it. The non-violent posture. The 'middle path', that states virtue is to avoid all excesses and extremes. And a few more things also.
One of the more striking things is the peacefulness one gets when entering their temples and even more in their gardens. This is not a direct consequence of their religion, it is a consequence of the harmony of forms, colors, spaces and sounds, I figure even if there was a busy road nearby most of this feeling wouldn't be lost.
This temple is a replica of the 900 years old Byodo-in Temple.
Although I am not a Buddhist some things I have to admire about it. The non-violent posture. The 'middle path', that states virtue is to avoid all excesses and extremes. And a few more things also.
One of the more striking things is the peacefulness one gets when entering their temples and even more in their gardens. This is not a direct consequence of their religion, it is a consequence of the harmony of forms, colors, spaces and sounds, I figure even if there was a busy road nearby most of this feeling wouldn't be lost.
posted by DCveR at 12:48 AM
13 Comments:
I agree to the facination of budhism, but not the middle path thing. The middle path seems only to ensure that the status quo is upheld; which in my eyes seems to be the way western politicians keep our present world order and prevents themselves from being the ones responsible for deaths of thousands individuals every day, by the hunger, diseases, and war they work to sustain or uphold in lack of an alternative/excuse for lack of power. My facination with budhism is the way to see oneself as an individual among other individuals, and then forsake it for a common good, or for all others wellfare. But I also find this extreeme. Seeing the world as one being , consistant of individuals, creating the collective the world should be, should also encourage everybody to be individuals without a wish to control others opinions or actions, nor gain on others, to achive goals or wealth for oneself. I dont think loosing yourself to an -ism or idea or lock yourself to a system of belief really creates anything, it just keep people from evolving and actually being themselves in a community where others can be themselves. Though I admire their stubborness and dedication to an abstract idea/concept...
ouch... sorry for the long comment... it didnt start that way, but i seem like the typing guy today...:)
isa, ise: yes! here's a quote you might find interesting:
"...[T]he ruling group found, in the 1760s and 1770s, a wonderfully useful device. Theat device was the language of liberty and equality, which could unite just enough whites to fight a Revolution against England, without ending either slavery or inequality...Around 1776, certain important people in the English colonies made a discovery...by creating a nation, a symbol, a legal unity called the United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire. In the process, they could hold back a number of potential rebellions and create a consensus of popular support for the rule of a new, privileged leadership."
-Howard Zinn, The People's History of the United States
We were screwed, blued and tattooed from day 1. So much for liberty.
isa, isae: If you haven't already I would suggest you read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. In a way it is the explanation to my view of Buddhism. In this book Hesse tries to explain that wisdom and enlightment are the fruit of a personnal journey that is unique for each human being at that can never be taught. This is almost the same you are saying.
Bunny Jo: Democracy never meant anything else, even in ancient Greece.
But thank for that quote, you got me curious on the source, I guess I'll have to read The People's History of the United States
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Dcver, sorry about all this bumbling commenting. First I gave you the wrong town name, then I gave you the wrong link. THIS should work! Here is the temple on the Big Island I wanted to tell you about. Next time you are here, you must stay in this heavenly place.
I'm a great believer in creating beauty around me, and I also believe that I should look within myself to discover peace. I can't change the world, but I can change myself, and maybe, who knows, help others.
kris: Looks great and unexpensive. We are just dying to get another chance to be there as you can easily guess.
GG: That is the main idea I get from buddhism, the change must be from within, thus it can not be transmitted or teached, also there is no point in following many rules and performing rituals. In a way its more something like having a good ethical sense and living by that sense.
tacit: The religion part, the ritual, the chanting, the Buddha figures adoration is something I don't care for either. Maybe that is why I can't say I am a buddhist.
It used to be just $25 a night and you could use their kitchen.
okay, you people are KILLING me! I can't get the link to the place on the Big Island to connect for me! please post it again - written out?
abrigado/arigato/mahalo!
:::grin:::
TGOV
kris: This tip may help to extend my next stay... ;)
tall glass: it seems to be working fine now, but here goes Kris' link http://www.nechung.org/index.shtml
fabulous! thank you!
I'm immediately checking for availability -
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