This morning we were late in getting into the Dim Sum House for breakfast with Chang and her husband. It was scheduled for 8am but we didn’t get there till 9am. On the ride over on the cab the driver attempted to take detours on the road as to rack up more money on the meter. Mrs. Liang threatened to get off the cab if the driver does not know where he was going. It was only then that the driver behaved and started to drive towards the restaurant.
Chang’s husband wanted to check me out so that he can approve his wife’s travel with in to PuTuoShan. He was a thin man who is from ShanDong but looked more Cantonese than any Cantonese I know. He smoked the whole time. He left shortly after checking me out. I spent the rest of the 7 hours at the Dim Sum House talking to my two female GuangDong friends. It's amazing we can just keep chatting. Dim Sum House is one of those places where the food just keep getting carted in front of you hot and delicious and the Pu Rh tea just keep getting poured. We ate and chatted from breakfast to lunch to afternoon tea.
The husbands all wanted to know what traumatic experiences I had come across in my life to become a vegetarian and to get into Buddhism. The wives wanted to know what my pilgrimage, trip was about having visited so many Buddhist Holy places. I said in general it was about gratitude. It was difficult to explain on my part because it was just that simple and nothing more, it was difficult for them to understand because it was so simple and difficult to grasp all in the same time.
Mrs. Liang wanted to know why I was leaving so soon. She wanted to know if she had done something wrong as a host etc… I told her I wanted to get going to head up to Huang Shan in Anhui before my visa expired in China and make it all the way to Shanghai to see my friends there.
On the way to the train station on the cab, Chang asked me about meditation and wanted a quick crash course in our entire 7 minute cab ride over. I told her if she really wanted to learn about meditation I would stay longer to work with her. I was serious about it and was committed to it. But she wasn’t or maybe she was but all the energy that was obstructing her wasn’t in agreement to the new found liberation from the practices of meditation. She pursued the topic some more while we were in line to get my train ticket on the terminal. I told her the train terminal really isn’t the most ideal place to have a crash course on meditation.
Showing posts with label GuangDong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GuangDong. Show all posts
Buddhists Are Nice People
I had planned on Saturday to leave at 9:14am on the train but I ended up getting on the 4:35pm train to Nan Hua Shi due to the long hours spent quickly at the tea house.
It was already sun down when I arrived in Shaoguan. I took a bus and had to get off at a local bus stop to get onto another bus that would drop me off the front gate of the monastery. The last direct bus from the train terminal to the monastery front gates was at 4pm. At the bus stop waiting for my second bus, a drunk approached me and kept talking to. He stank of alcohol and his tongue slurred as he spoke while leaning to one side and still managing to stay on his feet. He told me the gates close at 5:30pm and that no one would let me in. I told him I had already called the monastery on the train and told them I would be late and the nice monk on the phone told me how to get into the monastery on after hours that I was all set and arranged. That I was okay, everything was fine and that he would not have to worry for me or try to make arrangement on my behalf.
I made it on to the right connecting bus. It was full as people were getting off of work and school. Two college men got off their seats and offered it to me. I was glad actually because I was quite tired. They told me stories of when they used to just hang out on the grounds of the monastery and play.
Other people on the bus told me it was over rated and that such a place was not that great, blah, blah……
The ticket collector was female who worked from 6am-10pm. Those were long hours. She said, “Buddhists are nice people.” That was nice to hear.
I made it to the monastery at night. I have an affinity to enter monasteries at night somehow. People were really nice on the phone and in person. I did what I was instructed to do go through the vehicle entrance gate and check in with the officers there. The officers did not have my name on their list and would not let me in. I told them I called earlier and stated I would be late due to transportation reasons and I was instructed to enter this way with clearance from the monk inside at the guest prefect. I was finally given clearance to enter.
I walked in the dark while the air filled with drizzles. I forgot to ask where I should go on the grounds since everything was closed and I didn’t know where to go to find the guest prefect office. It took me a long time to figure things out in the dark. I finally came across a courtyard and a monk of some sort peaked out as I knocked on a door. He was not properly dressed and was most likely not expecting a girl to knock on his door late at night. For whatever reason he invited me into his room not fully robed in my opinion. I told him that I could wait for the guest prefect at the guest prefect office and that if he pointed me to the right direction that I would surely find it on my own. That I was not interested in waiting in his room for while someone fetched the guest prefect for me.
I found the guest prefect office. I sat and waited. It was already after 8:30pm. No one came. I finally decided to stand outside the office and waited for a passerby. A security guard came and asked why I was standing there. I told him no one came and I have been waiting for almost an hour and that I needed to be assigned to a women’s dorm room. I asked for his help. He told me it was after hours and getting the right person to help me at this time was slim. Even so he and I both agreed that it was not ideal for me to be just standing there in the hall. He connected me with a resident volunteer named Han who was waiting for a group of tourist meeting in a room with a lay dharma teacher of some sort to end their session so that she can lock up.
The evening lights out drums and bells had been struck and it was time for all the lights to go out. This particular group was from GuangDong and had come all this way to meet with this teacher who they worshiped because he was able to respond to their regular family life troubles. I tried to refrain from any judgments because Dharma Teachings are rare in China to being with. What is right? What is wrong? The fact that there is any is worth celebrating for.
It was interesting for me to watch how this teacher encouraged public announcements of vows to save other people especially their family members. But saved from what and how? It was interesting, this part felt very Christian. It reminded me of days at church where people were encourage to make vows of so and so much percent of their income was to be set aside each month to the church.
Han told me due to the large influx of tourist today that they are overbooked and being so late already that it would be difficult to locate someone who can set me up with housing. She asked if I didn’t mind staying at volunteer residence with her. She said the accommodation was marginal and she would try to help me find hot water to wash up for the night.
I roomed next Han in number Rm#12. The room was dusty and tattered. It hadn’t been used or cleaned in awhile. It was a humble abode. Han did her best to make me feel comfortable and well taken cared of with proper blankets and hot water. I learned how to wash myself from a bucket of 2 gallons of water. I was shocked to see how both genders used the same restroom with no partitions from the male toilets. I questioned out of shock and the male monk told me I could not use the restroom if I was so disturbed. I wasn’t disturbed with sharing the restroom but the lack of privacy for monks who were using the restroom too.
While I got ready to rest, room number 14 resident volunteers were also reciting the Eighty Eight Buddhas ceremony in their room. I really enjoy that one. It felt really good as I listened in through the paper thin walls. Then in room number 12 Han was reciting the Vajra Sutra. The vibrations coming through the walls were nice. I felt a calm realignment through me. I felt really comfortably sandwiched between two rooms of practitioners and their recitations. I didn't have to meditate or recite myself. I just loafed off their good chi.
It was already sun down when I arrived in Shaoguan. I took a bus and had to get off at a local bus stop to get onto another bus that would drop me off the front gate of the monastery. The last direct bus from the train terminal to the monastery front gates was at 4pm. At the bus stop waiting for my second bus, a drunk approached me and kept talking to. He stank of alcohol and his tongue slurred as he spoke while leaning to one side and still managing to stay on his feet. He told me the gates close at 5:30pm and that no one would let me in. I told him I had already called the monastery on the train and told them I would be late and the nice monk on the phone told me how to get into the monastery on after hours that I was all set and arranged. That I was okay, everything was fine and that he would not have to worry for me or try to make arrangement on my behalf.
I made it on to the right connecting bus. It was full as people were getting off of work and school. Two college men got off their seats and offered it to me. I was glad actually because I was quite tired. They told me stories of when they used to just hang out on the grounds of the monastery and play.
Other people on the bus told me it was over rated and that such a place was not that great, blah, blah……
The ticket collector was female who worked from 6am-10pm. Those were long hours. She said, “Buddhists are nice people.” That was nice to hear.
I made it to the monastery at night. I have an affinity to enter monasteries at night somehow. People were really nice on the phone and in person. I did what I was instructed to do go through the vehicle entrance gate and check in with the officers there. The officers did not have my name on their list and would not let me in. I told them I called earlier and stated I would be late due to transportation reasons and I was instructed to enter this way with clearance from the monk inside at the guest prefect. I was finally given clearance to enter.
I walked in the dark while the air filled with drizzles. I forgot to ask where I should go on the grounds since everything was closed and I didn’t know where to go to find the guest prefect office. It took me a long time to figure things out in the dark. I finally came across a courtyard and a monk of some sort peaked out as I knocked on a door. He was not properly dressed and was most likely not expecting a girl to knock on his door late at night. For whatever reason he invited me into his room not fully robed in my opinion. I told him that I could wait for the guest prefect at the guest prefect office and that if he pointed me to the right direction that I would surely find it on my own. That I was not interested in waiting in his room for while someone fetched the guest prefect for me.
I found the guest prefect office. I sat and waited. It was already after 8:30pm. No one came. I finally decided to stand outside the office and waited for a passerby. A security guard came and asked why I was standing there. I told him no one came and I have been waiting for almost an hour and that I needed to be assigned to a women’s dorm room. I asked for his help. He told me it was after hours and getting the right person to help me at this time was slim. Even so he and I both agreed that it was not ideal for me to be just standing there in the hall. He connected me with a resident volunteer named Han who was waiting for a group of tourist meeting in a room with a lay dharma teacher of some sort to end their session so that she can lock up.
The evening lights out drums and bells had been struck and it was time for all the lights to go out. This particular group was from GuangDong and had come all this way to meet with this teacher who they worshiped because he was able to respond to their regular family life troubles. I tried to refrain from any judgments because Dharma Teachings are rare in China to being with. What is right? What is wrong? The fact that there is any is worth celebrating for.
It was interesting for me to watch how this teacher encouraged public announcements of vows to save other people especially their family members. But saved from what and how? It was interesting, this part felt very Christian. It reminded me of days at church where people were encourage to make vows of so and so much percent of their income was to be set aside each month to the church.
Han told me due to the large influx of tourist today that they are overbooked and being so late already that it would be difficult to locate someone who can set me up with housing. She asked if I didn’t mind staying at volunteer residence with her. She said the accommodation was marginal and she would try to help me find hot water to wash up for the night.
I roomed next Han in number Rm#12. The room was dusty and tattered. It hadn’t been used or cleaned in awhile. It was a humble abode. Han did her best to make me feel comfortable and well taken cared of with proper blankets and hot water. I learned how to wash myself from a bucket of 2 gallons of water. I was shocked to see how both genders used the same restroom with no partitions from the male toilets. I questioned out of shock and the male monk told me I could not use the restroom if I was so disturbed. I wasn’t disturbed with sharing the restroom but the lack of privacy for monks who were using the restroom too.
While I got ready to rest, room number 14 resident volunteers were also reciting the Eighty Eight Buddhas ceremony in their room. I really enjoy that one. It felt really good as I listened in through the paper thin walls. Then in room number 12 Han was reciting the Vajra Sutra. The vibrations coming through the walls were nice. I felt a calm realignment through me. I felt really comfortably sandwiched between two rooms of practitioners and their recitations. I didn't have to meditate or recite myself. I just loafed off their good chi.
Dark Alcohol Spirits
Liangs own two apartment complexes one above the other. They let me use the whole apartment flat all to myself, three bedroom and two bathrooms. I only needed one bed. But it was nice to just have the space to have the whole place to myself.
Even so, I was not alone and I was made to be aware of this. So last night I slept with my Guan Yin Bodhisattva Pendant.
There are dark spirits in this apartment who do not welcome me. They are alcohol ghosts. They came with the many bottles of expensive imported alcohol sitting like trophies on the living room shelf like prized decoration. There is also the factor of my hosts wanting to eat the fresh crabs while they are fresh instead of when they are dead. I am clear of this factor also.
So I talked to the spirits who regularly inhabit this particular apartment, stating my case. I told them that they are not to interfere with my rest and healing. I am a guest of the Liangs. The sooner I feel rested and accomplish what I came here to do the sooner I am out of here. And that they are to be clear of this so that we both can get what we want in an efficient manner and time. They are clear that I am aware that they have been working hard on giving me terrible head aches and body pains. I reminded them this was an example of inefficiency.
Even so, I was not alone and I was made to be aware of this. So last night I slept with my Guan Yin Bodhisattva Pendant.
There are dark spirits in this apartment who do not welcome me. They are alcohol ghosts. They came with the many bottles of expensive imported alcohol sitting like trophies on the living room shelf like prized decoration. There is also the factor of my hosts wanting to eat the fresh crabs while they are fresh instead of when they are dead. I am clear of this factor also.
So I talked to the spirits who regularly inhabit this particular apartment, stating my case. I told them that they are not to interfere with my rest and healing. I am a guest of the Liangs. The sooner I feel rested and accomplish what I came here to do the sooner I am out of here. And that they are to be clear of this so that we both can get what we want in an efficient manner and time. They are clear that I am aware that they have been working hard on giving me terrible head aches and body pains. I reminded them this was an example of inefficiency.
Doggy Nanny
This morning I did Tai Chi and White Crane while on the roof top garden while the dogs played around me. It was very nice to get back into doing this. I really liked it. While I did my standing meditation, the Surangama Mantra ran through my mind automatically as if I had already memorized the 550+ lines. Is there a part of me that is all knowing and functioning at all times?
The Liangs have two 1+ year old golden retrievers. These two dogs are so cute. They are about 40-50 pounds. It's like taking care of kids except you don't need to watch them when you are away for work. The Liangs have a doggy nanny for the dogs. On their recent 1 year old birthday, all the dogs of the same litter from the same parents had a one year old party bash and also a reunion. The photos were quite something. All the dogs looked healthy and happy. Even the dogs had cake that day. Today I am the stand in doggy nanny, I though I'd work for my food and lodging.
Liangs have a personal chef and cooked me home grown vegetables for meals. I was just content with fresh vegetables. They have lettuce here, lots, I will have leafy green lettuce. In fact, I can eat lettuce all day. I haven't had salad in awhile.
Mrs.Liang helped me do laundry yesterday, normally she doesn't do laundry, her housekeeper does it. She really didn’t have to do my laundry for me but she was trying to be a good host. She’s a very kind sweet lady.
The Liangs have two 1+ year old golden retrievers. These two dogs are so cute. They are about 40-50 pounds. It's like taking care of kids except you don't need to watch them when you are away for work. The Liangs have a doggy nanny for the dogs. On their recent 1 year old birthday, all the dogs of the same litter from the same parents had a one year old party bash and also a reunion. The photos were quite something. All the dogs looked healthy and happy. Even the dogs had cake that day. Today I am the stand in doggy nanny, I though I'd work for my food and lodging.
Liangs have a personal chef and cooked me home grown vegetables for meals. I was just content with fresh vegetables. They have lettuce here, lots, I will have leafy green lettuce. In fact, I can eat lettuce all day. I haven't had salad in awhile.
Mrs.Liang helped me do laundry yesterday, normally she doesn't do laundry, her housekeeper does it. She really didn’t have to do my laundry for me but she was trying to be a good host. She’s a very kind sweet lady.
Salon Session With the Ladies
I watched Liang do business for a few hours and as nice as everyone is even the clients etc.... I really think the business world is tough.
We went out for a salon session. I got my hair washed, entire upper body massaged. They spend half and hour on my head, just washing and conditioning etc.... It was nice and I desperately needed a massage. Then I had my hair trimmed and styled. I was so overdue for one. The stylist told me I was not from around there because I was not fussy or wordy or difficult. I was clear with my instructions, it was short and simple. He was nice and funny. He really took his time and cutting my hair with care. I liked that.
We went out for a salon session. I got my hair washed, entire upper body massaged. They spend half and hour on my head, just washing and conditioning etc.... It was nice and I desperately needed a massage. Then I had my hair trimmed and styled. I was so overdue for one. The stylist told me I was not from around there because I was not fussy or wordy or difficult. I was clear with my instructions, it was short and simple. He was nice and funny. He really took his time and cutting my hair with care. I liked that.
Guang Xiao Si, Was the Flag Moving or the Mind Moving
We also met up with the other lady on WuTai who is her friend and her name is Chang. We went to a vegetarian restaurant and had lunch there. I realized most of American Chinese food is more in alignment with Cantonese food. Because it really doesn't taste like the rest of China not even Sichuan or Huanan advertised food taste like the Sichuan or Hunan food here. The Sichuan, Hunan food here is much better.
We all went to Guang Xiao Si: Light Filial Monastery. It was called something else before. It was where Ven. Hui Neng first appeared when he came out of hiding and talked about the flag moving or mind moving. This is also where he officially shaved his head.
There was a Bodhi tree, which they said he spoke dharma under that tree. I don't know if it is the original tree or not. There was a pagoda that commemorated his head shaving ceremony next to it.
Both Liang and Chang are very nice people who are Buddhist but really doesn't know where to start or how to go about it. They have faith. They like most people I've met in china treat things like body medicine. This is for this and that is for that. This Buddha only responds to this and that Bodhisattva only responds to that. It's quite specific and limiting. People don't get it when I tell them, they don't get to where they are by being so inflexible and unresponsive. But people can't hear it.
Chang saw a interview on TV of a monk saying women can't enter this Chan hall because women are more karmically obstructed and etc..... She was really disturbed and felt sinned or something and was determined she was a bad person. I told her the Surangama Sutra of the story of the prostitute jumping into 3rd stage Arhatship and the Dragon Girl becoming enlightened and Guan Yin Bodhisattva in as Mao Shan princess etc.... She couldn't hear it because some monk on TV said so. So I ended up bowing and praying for them to realize all the potentials within and not just into self created jail cells of the mind
Crab Fest Party Pooper
Yesterday I took a bus from YangSho and got onto a sleeper train to GuangZhou. I paid 207 yuan and found it to be pricy. But then when I got onto the train I noticed it was the new German train that runs the Tibetan line. I was like, Okay money well spent. It's new, comfortable and the line of service is more like first class. They are all different in service depending on the train company and lines.
Mrs Liang picked me up with her driver at the train station. Previously my two GaungDong friends debriefed me on travels in GuangDong how dangerous it can be and theft is a common things. And that if you only get away with just theft that’s the least of the possible thing harm you can come across and worry about. They told me about kidnappings, people getting sold and locked away etc…. So they were very aware on safety and keeping me safe during my stay in GuangDong.
She and her husband own a sewing machine compartment parts shop and company. When I showed up at the shop, some of their friends had just delivered fresh caught crabs as gifts for them for their dinner. They being very sensitive to my vegetarian presence decided to postpone their crab fest until later time. They would keep the crabs alive and refrigerated till then. I guess I ended up being the crab fest party pooper without knowing it ahead of time.
Mrs Liang picked me up with her driver at the train station. Previously my two GaungDong friends debriefed me on travels in GuangDong how dangerous it can be and theft is a common things. And that if you only get away with just theft that’s the least of the possible thing harm you can come across and worry about. They told me about kidnappings, people getting sold and locked away etc…. So they were very aware on safety and keeping me safe during my stay in GuangDong.
She and her husband own a sewing machine compartment parts shop and company. When I showed up at the shop, some of their friends had just delivered fresh caught crabs as gifts for them for their dinner. They being very sensitive to my vegetarian presence decided to postpone their crab fest until later time. They would keep the crabs alive and refrigerated till then. I guess I ended up being the crab fest party pooper without knowing it ahead of time.
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