Buddhist Temple

Today we visited the Six Banyan Trees Buddhist Temple (in the pouring rain). The Monks offer a blessing to the adopted girls and their families. We also visited this Temple when we adopted Josie.   Yes, we have and did participate in the blessing for both of our girls.. It is a very nice ceremony performed in front of three very LARGE Buddhas with the Monk singing/chanting the blessing and *knocking* some little instrument.   It is always interesting to learn about different ideologies and how they are similar to Christianity. Wim knows more about these things than my heathen self :-D I, but I'll give it a shot-- The first Buddhist monk (Or Buddha??) was kept in seclusion for much of his young life as his father did not want him to witness the suffering of the world. When he was older, he snuck out and witnessed the suffering and somehow from that-- Buddhism was started. The main tenet being (I think) that "life is suffering."   What this son witnessed was suffering on Earth and in Christianity, life without Jesus is suffering.   Our guide also explained to us that odd numbers are considered lucky-- this is in terms of burning incense sticks while praying-- odd numbers are  like a foundation and that the basis is the number three.   Christians believe in the Trinity.   Just some of my ramblings.