One thing I never wanted to do was lead a boring life. I've had my share of "Groundhog" days with each day a repeat of the last and I was miserable. It took much courage (or total stupidity, I haven't decided yet) that while raising two children and owning a home ALONE whether to finally quit my reliable, guaranteed income producing job with benefits to pursue a dream. My last day of work I took off my watch as I was no longer be dictated by time. Sink or swim, I was on my own.
That is exactly why I don't make many plans. If I'm going to a show in the City, for example, I could be completely immersed in something else and don't want to leave but there's another place I have to be. There's much to be said for "playing it by ear."
After our New York City trip to The San Gennaro Feast we went straight into Chinatown. It has become huge and the crowds are enormous. Weekends there are time for shopping AND socializing for many of them and we walked down Canal Street, looking at the "knock off" handbags and every kind of food imaginable (some were unimaginable). The next sign I saw said "Bowery." Years ago I had wandered with my ex and children into the Bowery and it was one of the scariest places I have ever been. Now it's just an extension of Chinatown, not at all threatening.
I saw a sign but wasn't sure what it said. I THOUGHT I saw the word "Temple" and it had Chinese writing. My daughter who usually just "goes with it" was tired; we had braved the rains, done the Feast and eaten. I was having none of it, I wanted to see what it was. It was a Buddhist Temple, one that I had never heard of or knew existed. I was shocked, the only temple I am aware of is in Old Westbury, Long Island which is owned by HHH Professor Lin Yun. It is where I celebrated by Certification in Feng Shui and was blessed again a decade after that.
I've come across so many things this year that I NEVER would have expected. I've been to Lourdes (on Long Island) and seen Alpacas in the middle of New York City. I came across a Memorial to Grumman Employees on the way home from a Feng Shui Consultation. I've showed you the other Temple, here's the one we bumped into:
What IS that across the street? A Temple in the Bowery...?
And it looks OPEN....
There are beautiful displays on the altar in front with lots of fresh fruit for abundance and cut flowers for Chi.
Walls of Blessings. There are mats on the floor for prayer.
The red background represents the FIRE ELEMENT but all the elements are addressed here. Much like a Vastu altar, Water is usually addressed with a small bowl of water. There is also Metal, Wood and Earth.
Bells and Gongs are very Auspicious. This one is Huge. Notice how much they use the Color Red.
Ok, you need to cut me a lot of Slack here, I'd braved the rains, done the fair and walked through Chinatown. These are Foo Dogs for Protection.
Thankfully, most of my days are anything but boring and predictable. By the time THIS was over, we walked back to the Feast to eat yet again before heading home. Sometimes NO plans are the BEST plans.
Some of the other "wonders": A TREASURE found on Long Island---The "Gold Coast" of Oyster Bay
FUN Feng Shui in New York City: What ELSE does a Feng Shui Consultant do?
The temple is beautiful and I know very interesting. Live in the moment, that's what I hear you saying that you do and how wonderful. I've not quite reached that point but it's my goal. Another lovely and inspiring post from you. Love it. Thank you.
Carole...They didn't mind that you took the photos? What a beautiful place....it had a safe feel!
What a fun day! Thanks for posting tha link to the other post!
Carole! What a marvelous adventure! New York I'm sure, like many large cities is a country or several in itself! WOW
We have a lovely temple here in Kelowna which I attend most Sundays. I am not Buddhist, nor wish to be, but very much appreciate and take advantage of the beneficial practice. The Chinese nuns are very sweet and wise people.
Great shots!
My sister in-law is from Korea and her sister is a Monk. I love going over to their home to visit and when her sister is in town we get to visit a lot about the culture differnces. The greatest thing happened when I just recently represented my sister (for her sister, the monk) a piece of land out by our Superstition Mountains to have a temple built. She is an amazing person and I have yet to get out there to see what new things they have done! I look forward to being able to go there and learn the art of mediation. It is so fascinating to me to get to know others and their beliefs. What a great find you found there in the Bowery! Great photos and so colorful. Thank you for sharing. I thought I would share my sister in-law Seonah, one of my best friends.
Fascinating. I'm very familiar with that area, and I had no clue that temple was there. Excellent post, Carole.
Bill
Carole, How exciting for you to find a temple in your travels during the feast...it's amazing what we find when we just go with the flow, isn't it? When you leave yourself open to possibilities, anything can happen.....
The pictures are wonderful ! Thanks so much for sharing more of your lovely day with us....
Jo
Carole: Thanks for sharing your day trip to Chinatown! My son and I were in China last November and absolutely fell in love with the cultllure and people. We were usually discouraged from taking interior shots of the temples.
Unplanned days can be exquisite--especially if you place yourself in new surroundings.
Sally,I would have guessed you were FIRE :) PURE FIRE. I actually love their culture which is similar to many that I also love including Native American, Indian, Tibetian (sorry I missed the Dali Lama) and so many others. Their principles are so much alike. Thank you for your comment.
Cynthia,There is so much to be said for not being dicatated by time (which is what I was always running on). I left behind a very boring and unhappy life and I am SO glad I did!
Joan, They didn't mind at ALL, I asked permission. There was only one altar that I could not photograph. They also have services there which would be interesting, they are done by (what else?) Buddhist Monks. Are you taking a road trip this weekend??
Deborah,It was a wonderful "find." I adore the culture very much as well, they are such peaceful people! That date on the Temple was 1997---it was the year I graduated my formal studies of Feng Shui and became certified. Hmmmm.....
Candy, Thank you, I have two smaller ones and unfortunately, I have to keep them inside :( Or have them cemented into the ground. My son bought them for me and they are precious to me!
Katerina, You are one of the fortunate ones to have lived that life. For more years then I care to remember everyone else dictated my life and TIME. I can tell that you love your life and I'm making up for all those years I wasn't happy! Thanks for your comment.
Adam, I "trip" off your stories as well, they strike a nerve. I have always lived on Long Island and have seen the changes over the years, both here and in the City (not to mention Brooklyn and Queens where we had relatives). I too remember the "bums" and they were drunk, the Bowery at that time was scary to me and I thought it still would be but it's completely different. I was in Hell's Kitchen not long ago (and can't find the pictures) but that's changed as well and for the BETTER. Thank you for sharing your memories of your father.
Candace,Thank you for sharing that lovely picture! Where is Superstition Mountains, I have heard of them but don't remember (for some reason I thought of Arizona but I don't think that's correct). One of the many people I trained with was a Buddhist Monk and they have a very diciplined life, I imagine it is quite difficult. And they are so pure of heart---I surely would like to meet your sister in law. Thank you so much for sharing that story and picture!
Bill,I didn't either, I would have went had I known. And I am surprised by how long it's been there. If you're in the area, it really is fascinating to see it in person. Thankyou for stopping by and your comment.
Jo, Well, you summed it up better then I could have! Opening up to the possibilities shows anything can happen, wise words from a wise person!
Teri,It's high time you got back to New York....put it on your calendar for next year :) And make sure it's when I'm in town :)
Roberta, Thank you for your comment. They were fine with the pictures and they are fine with it in the Monastery in Old Westbury as well. In this one I was surprised because I started to take my shoes off but they motioned it was ok to leave them on. I usually always do that in homes of certain cultures and in the other Temple.
Carole...The foliage won't be really good till next weekend Hopefully I'll get North then...weather and clients o-operating! LOL
If I have time this weekend I will post one from when we went "Moose Hunting" up in Pittsburgh at the Conneticut lakes. It was a while back but I have some really good pictures!
Did you not have the best time in Chinatown. Did you get Dim Sum? I think it is the best in Chinatown. NY has soooo much to see I just love getting into the City. It looks like you had a wonderfully, blessed day.
Phyllis Pafumi