The sunrise over the 1200 year-old Buddhist temple makes the entire hill and valley appear like jewels cast in an enormous crown. The structure is as large as a hill. I love the stories about the Buddhists who dedicated their life to the temple's creation. Black volcanic rock hewn from the mountain was cut, hauled, and stacked...all by hand. Participants fulfilled their duties as an act of devotion.
We climb the stone stairs, level by level, and marvel at the carved reliefs on each of the 2600 panels. (Okay the kids got a little bored with the guide's detailed information, but they were super troopers!) The panels depict the life of Buddha. Buddhists come here for learning as well as worship. I am in awe of the incredible feat - to think of the labor, skill, and dedication poured into its creation.
These bell-shaped structures (stupas) contain a statue of Buddha. Locals say the mountain (in the background) resembles a reclining Buddha. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but in person it is quite remarkable.
I'd like to think the joyful leap in the picture below reflects how happy the kids were to be here at the beautiful place, but chances are, it also reflects their relief that the guided tour was finished.
We ate dinner at the Manohara Hotel (where we had stayed when we visited with Granddad and Nana). Indonesian dancers entertained us. The girls in pink and lime dresses were enchanting, their fingers
bent back with almost inhuman-defying flexibility. The men reenacted a fight. Their curved kris
knives were decorated with a plume of fresh white flowers. With each knife strike tiny white flowers showered the stage, filling the air with a sweet perfume.
At the recommendation of my dear friend, Dawn, we stayed an elegant hotel only a short walk to the temple. Everything oozed of tropical paradise. And I realized the combination of beautiful manmade and natural creations could indeed bring me to reach Nirvana.
No comments:
Post a Comment