The New England Peace PagodaLiteral and Spiritual Reflections
A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace
(wikipedia)
It was an absolutely perfect day in The Valley (Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts) today and WP and I took a drive to Leverett, to one of our favorite places - The New England Peace Pagoda. There isn't a direct website for The Peace Pagoda yet so what I've linked to here is a general wiki article on peace pagodas or stupas. And the following excerpt is from an architectural page on pagodas.
Mary non-Buddhists who helped out for a few days or even weeks during construction were perplexed by the lack of any apparent access to the interior of the dome, which in the finished stupa is permanently sealed. Visitors still wonder why there is no "inside," no clear destination, as they watch saffron-robed monks and nuns circumambulate the outdoor walkways beating hand drams and chanting. There are many possible replies to the lingering question. Rev. Clare Carter, a nun at the pagoda, suggests one of them: "Our teacher was always trying to make the point that heaven is also this world. Our life here is a creation of this heaven through human effort."
On the grounds near the temple is a this lovely pond surrounded by prayer flags. One can see the reflection in the pond water of the lower tier of prayer flags. A peaceful place to sit and reflect.
A prayer flag with a personal touch
Thank you for visiting. This is my first Weekend Reflection submission!
Welcome to Weekend Reflections. So good to have you join in with us. The concept of Peace Flags is an interesting one, that maybe the world should learn more about. Hopefully your reflection doubles the value of these particular Peace Flags. Once again, welcome
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a great place to meditate about all those reflection of the world... I might just stay a little bit to catch up on my dialogue with God... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this sharing.
This is a lovely post...looks like it was a peaceful and welcome respite from life's busyness for a while!
ReplyDeleteIt occurs to me that you might like a post I did on the Jade Buddha for my travel site a while ago. If you're interested...
http://theimaginativetraveler.blogspot.com/2010/08/haiku-for-jade-buddha.html#comments
Have a lovely weekend...
Lynette
Well, this is a surprise of a different kind! I have not yet seen a stupa anywhere in the West! I love them and will be posting them on my blog in due time. This one is lovely... and like you, I love the message. It's a lovely reflection of the prayer flags you have there. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe bright colors make very nice reflections and what a beautiful day.
ReplyDelete