“So, whatcha do this weekend?’ a colleague asked making friendly Monday morning talk. “Oh we went to Stockton.” I replied nonchalantly. “Really? Willingly?” he asked with a look of confused disgust. Then finally he sputtered out “but . . . why?”
Why it was Cambodian New Year, silly! Browsing about looking for things to do this weekend I came upon a listing for a New Years celebration at the Wat Dharmararam, a Cambodian Buddhist Temple. What a better way to celebrate Easter?* The place was a complete trip. Probably close to 20 hand painted huge Buddha statues depicting the story of the Buddha’s life. Not to mention hundreds of Cambodian families sitting on the ground in the shadows of the statues with Asian pop music was blaring from the stage. It truly felt as if we were in a foreign country.
As the boyfriend and I made our way along the statues we noticed that all the signage was in Cambodian with nary an English translation in sight. We went up to the information booth to see if they had a hand-out or something that could tell us in English what we were looking at. A kindly young American monk stepped out of the booth and offered to be our tour guide. We spent the next 45 minutes walking around the grounds as Boo, our new monk friend explain Buddha’s life story, his own life story, and amusing tales of being the only non-Cambodian monk in the monastery.
The Buddhas of the Three Times
Not sure what this was all about, but people getting eaten by sharks and crocs in the same pool was kinda cool.
The boyfriend and our new friend a monk named Boo.
I'm not sure if this would be my choice of t-shirt for a day out at the Temple, but who am I to judge?
We ended our tour in the Temple, which doubled as a dining hall. Unlike some of the other Buddhist temples I’ve been in, this was not particularly ornate, nor at all formal. Again, there were many Cambodian families camped out on the ground eating. Eventually, an elderly Cambodian monk took to a throne-like chair. “He’s going to give a talk now.” I got all excited and prepared to find myself a seat, until Boo stopped me with a simple question, “so, how’s your Cambodian?” Riiiiight. So, we hung out a bit longer to soak in the festive vibe amidst all these amazing statues – some gaudy, some scary, and some incredibly serene. It was a good day.
* I really don’t do Easter. I mean why should I? I’m not Christian, I don’t have children and I don’t get a day off of work for it, so the point is . . . ?
10 responses so far ↓
ambremauritius // April 14, 2009 at 8:53 pm |
It is nice to see other culture, You like to go there one day. All those big status so colorful. Really attractive. Hope you spend a very pleasant time there.
adam // April 14, 2009 at 10:17 pm |
I agree, learning about other cultures is saomething I enjoy. I wish there was more diversity here in that respect. I’m sure there is, I just haven’t found it.
Unfortunately, most of what we do see here is hippys spouting off there love of trees and the environment while the litter the same ground they are crying to protect.
But it looks like a good time. And, what could be more entertaining than a croc shooting water out of its nose while its eating someone?
wisdomjunkie // April 15, 2009 at 5:10 am |
Nice pics. Which one’s the boyfriend and which one’s the monk?
LazyBuddhist // April 15, 2009 at 9:17 am |
Ambremauritius – Welcome. Yes, I do enjoy experiencing other cultures, and one of these days I hope to do more actual traveling. But, for now, I feel fortunate that California is so diverse, and it’s easy to find cultural diversions.
Adam – Oh, annoyed by hippies, are we? Wait until my next post.
Yes, that particular statue arrangement/fountain was indeed interesting. I think it had to do with Buddha being able to subdue even the fiercest of enemies. But, I’m afraid I found more comedy in it than I probably should have.
Wisdomjunkie – considering Boo the Monk lives by old school Vinaya – including not handling money nor touching women – I think he would make pretty lousy boyfriend material. I have enough issues with the non-ordained boyfriend in those regards.
Stevo // April 15, 2009 at 4:13 pm |
That sounds like a really cool day. I wish I knew the celebration days at my local temples. I’ve seen photos and it looks trippy.
woo // April 15, 2009 at 5:55 pm |
Sounds like a fantastic way to spend Easter weekend. I do dearly love a gaudy religious statue
wisdomjunkie // April 15, 2009 at 6:09 pm |
Ok, point taken.
tmc // April 16, 2009 at 10:17 am |
Awesome!
I thought the line of Buddha statues in the first pic were blow-ups, like a bouncey castle. They’re so bright and big! : )
Corina // April 20, 2009 at 10:34 am |
What a neat event to participate in! I wish I had gone along.
amuirin // April 21, 2009 at 2:42 pm |
It sounds like an interesting afternoon. Your pictures are so amusing… the eating thing, and the tee-shirt, and boo looks like he could moonlight as a Broadway character actor, easily.