A beautiful garden and monastery are tucked away here in the Diamond Hill area of Kowloon, built of timber using ancient methods, still standing tall regardless of how its surroundings have been built up, it is a gorgeous display of times past by.
I am speaking about the Nan Lian Garden, built in the Tang Dynasty style, a lush garden grove that surrounds an all wooden masterpiece of structural engineering, technologically advanced in its traditional style, somehow built completely without a single nail. Beside the garden there is a nunnery, the Chi Lin Nunnery, a monastery that houses some of the most incredible all golden statues I have ever seen. Each room more beautiful than the last, their shrines always immaculately decorated yet simplistic and elegant. Glowing towering golden statues are on display in each room, the main room has a particularly powerful Buddha surrounded by all his main disciples, it is really awe inspiring. They are simply magnificent, stunning, just beyond, they are solid gold and seem to be floating in air. Photography is strictly prohibited inside, I was only able to snap a few secret candid photos with my phone, with all due respect I couldn’t bring myself to part with the experience without bringing something concrete to use when I tried to explain to everyone how amazing these really were. I will do my best to barter with the Hong Kong government to allow me to come back and photograph these, I have no words to try and describe just how incredible they really were, I’ve never seen anything quite like them. Maybe I can make a book, they deserve to be shown to the world in all their glory, nothing less will do.
In the evening Chogyal Rinpoche gave a talk in the Gang Yi Mahayana Center, in a room that was itself like a glowing garden of light. Once again the gold themed statues were everywhere, beautiful shrines, along with the walls being adorned with rich gold fabric throughout, giving the entire place such a warm and inviting atmosphere. The people gathered were of the same breed, inviting us to a family style home cooked meal that was such a delight, as we all sat down together and ate before the teaching. Everyone was laughing and joking together, there was one of the cutest babies I’ve ever seen running around non stop, she was even able to grab a candid photo with Rinpoche as she grabbed the microphone and began singing along to the mantra CD that was playing. Lots of laughs and smiles, lots of family, lots of basic goodness going on in this room. This trip has been more about connections and heart than I could have imagined, everyone I have met has been truly wonderful and has always welcomed us into their centers, their homes, their kitchens, their lives - always with nothing held back and the most open hearted ways about them. I am truly touched. China really is a golden garden, if those I have had the pleasure to meet thus far are any example, actions speak louder than any words I could ever hope to write.
