A few weekends ago, my Music in Society course took a trip to a Buddhist temple to experience Theravada chanting first hand. This experience made a mark on my mind. Not only did we listen to the chants, we sat in for their temple ceremony and asked questions about the monks' and patrons' views on life. As someone with little knowledge of Buddhist teachings or culture, this is not an educational article, but my perspective of the temple and a reflection on new experiences.
This trip to a Buddhist temple showed me the beauty of the practice and inspired me to learn more about Buddhism and continue searching out new experiences.
The temple was small yet ornate. It reminded me a lot of the factory door from WIlly Wonka. Instead of the deceptive size, the exterior was deceptive. The structure was a garage or barn type building and you would never guess it housed a temple.
Gold statues and vibrant flowers lined the back wall while cushions dotted the floor. I noticed cone-shaped towers and wondered if there was significance in this design. When I asked the Ajahn, the head monk, he said the towers represented the practice of mediation. You start from your broad, chaotic everyday thinking then refine and heighten it through mindful thinking. I thought it was beautiful that the decorations had such a meaningful purpose. There were also statues of the Buddha and of the Ajahn’s mentor. There were a man and a woman there who seemed to frequent the temple, who we made small talk with.
There was a path for walking meditation, and it was absolutely breathtaking. There were intricate, colorful statues tucked away in small clearings throughout the path. The weather was cool and crisp and the leaves were at optimal state for that sweet crunch beneath our feet. The ambiance of nature combined with beautiful statues gave the place an enchanted feel. The path felt removed from reality. Personally, I could better clear my mind there than in the temple as it felt more natural. In the temple, I felt (possibly nonexistent?) pressure to sit up straight and be attentive. There, I could just be.
Despite the monks' thoughtful and in-depth responses to our questions, there is still so much I'm curious about. How does one reach Enlightenment? Why do people decide to become monks? Why is the female equivalent less common? How do they live without music?
Real world encounters spark research. I encourage everyone to try an activity or attend an event outside of their everyday scope of experience. The memory, even if it doesn't spark a drive to learn, will hopefully be a pleasent or exciting one.
