Last weekend our school had an unannounced five day holiday. Before
returning home, a group of senior students planned to hike a local
mountain together, Shane and I joined.
We took a bus across the bridge that connects Xintang to the neighboring town of Hengshan. In Hengshan we ate lunch together at a restaurant that somehow managed to accommodate all of us. What was so touching was that the students insisted on paying for everything, they wouldn't let Shane and I pay a cent. The hike up the mountain was short and not too strenuous, especially since we kept stopping to take group pictures. The students were happy and silly because it was their first day of break and they were responsibility-free. As we walked, one student sang songs for me, another held my hand.
At the top of the mountain was a huge 3-storey temple. We explored the temple, and at the top floor met the caretaker of the temple. She gave us all incense to light, and many students prayed. The woman then took about 50 kumquats, which had been offered to the Buddha, and gave them to all of us. The students said eating this fruit will bring good luck for life. The woman was so kind to the students, and the students were so respectful. It was beautiful to watch their interactions. The woman then took all the apple offerings and gave them to Shane and I. While saying goodbye, I held hands with her and promised to return. She promised to teach me more about Buddhism.
Walking back down the temple, I talked with a girl who is beginning to feel more like a friend than a student. I think we both felt the temple visit was very special. She decided she is going to visit that temple over every break to remind her to de-stress, slow down and find peace. At only 16 and with limited English, this girl was able to summarize why I find myself drawn to temples in China- to slow down and find peace.
We took a bus across the bridge that connects Xintang to the neighboring town of Hengshan. In Hengshan we ate lunch together at a restaurant that somehow managed to accommodate all of us. What was so touching was that the students insisted on paying for everything, they wouldn't let Shane and I pay a cent. The hike up the mountain was short and not too strenuous, especially since we kept stopping to take group pictures. The students were happy and silly because it was their first day of break and they were responsibility-free. As we walked, one student sang songs for me, another held my hand.
At the top of the mountain was a huge 3-storey temple. We explored the temple, and at the top floor met the caretaker of the temple. She gave us all incense to light, and many students prayed. The woman then took about 50 kumquats, which had been offered to the Buddha, and gave them to all of us. The students said eating this fruit will bring good luck for life. The woman was so kind to the students, and the students were so respectful. It was beautiful to watch their interactions. The woman then took all the apple offerings and gave them to Shane and I. While saying goodbye, I held hands with her and promised to return. She promised to teach me more about Buddhism.
Walking back down the temple, I talked with a girl who is beginning to feel more like a friend than a student. I think we both felt the temple visit was very special. She decided she is going to visit that temple over every break to remind her to de-stress, slow down and find peace. At only 16 and with limited English, this girl was able to summarize why I find myself drawn to temples in China- to slow down and find peace.
