17/10/07 - Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha
Lantau is more than twice the size of Hong Kong Island, but there’s no chance of missing the enormous bronze Buddha that looks down on Po Lin Monastery. David and I accepted the invitation to climb right up inside it to see a couple of fragments of the Buddha’s bones. Actually, they’re encased in glass bowls and all we saw was a photo in which they look like baby teeth. The view from the top was worth the climb, though.
The monastery complex is short of nothing but monks. Numbers have dwindled to 16, of whom 4 are invalids. We saw none of them during our visit.
There are no restrictions on non-believers entering the shrine and photography is allowed except during processions.
The bell is rung to summon the monks early in the morning, long before all the tourist coaches turn up.
The giant incense pot draws a steady stream of believers.
Only vegetarian food is served in the restaurant and seems to go down well with most people.
It suited me very well, as the only veggie in the family. There were lots of dishes to choose from and all of them tasty. No desserts, though, and Richard treated us all to an ice cream from one of the shops that have sprung up around the car park.
Comments on this story
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Impossible. All good food requires the hearty infusion of a dead animal. This is the first dan in my new philosophy: The Way of the Succulent Creature. The second involves divesting oneself of all worldly possessions and giving them to me. I’ll work out the third when I find enough suckers. Posted by Richard on Wednesday 17th October |
2 |
On an octopus, perhaps? Posted by Maggie on Wednesday 17th October |